Quick and easy access to nature has always been one of my favorite aspects of Wisconsin camping in general. Ninety minutes after the workday ended and I’m drinking a beer with the trees at Jellystone Park. Get there this summer! Make your own reservation here.
Sleeping on the ground doesn’t make every camper a happy camper. Or even the happiest of tent campers sometimes like to mix up their routine. Thus, spending a couple of nights in one of these fun spots will spice up the experience, provide awesome photo ops and make “roughin’ it” not so rough.
Here are five options for camping – or "camping" – in style this summer:
1. Jellystone Park Glamping Cabins
Caledonia’s Jellystone Park is only 20 minutes from Milwaukee and features four different types of cute, rustic-meets-modern cabins. The cozy Boo-Boo Basic Cabin sleeps six; the Cindy Bear sleeps eight; the Yogi Bear Deluxe also sleeps eight but has three separate bedrooms and our favorite, the glamping cabins sleep seven but feature an open-concept kitchen with full-sized appliances, a large screened-in porch (bye, bugs!), a private bedroom with a Queen bed and a triple-decker bunk bed. Go here to reserve your cabin.
2. Camp Wandawega Vintage “No-Frills” Cabins
Camp Wandawega, located in Elkhorn just 45 minutes from Milwaukee, features a variety of unique lodging structures. The side-by-side vintage cabins overlook the lake and wetlands. The Green cabin sleeps up to four, but is best suited for two or three. The White Cabin sleeps one couple. The camp hosts want guests to know “By ‘vintage’ we mean old and unimproved. This is not a modern luxe joint designed to look old: it’s just plain old. That’s the way we like it, but it’s not for everyone.” Interest piqued? Go here to reserve.
3. Perry Pines Yurt
The Perry Pines Yurt in Cable, Wis. (5 1/2 hours from Milwaukee), is the quintessential romantic getaway for nature lovers. It’s available any time of year (for winter comfort there’s a wood stove and outdoor sauna and it has AC for summer). This upscale yurt sleeps two and has a full kitchen, bedroom, loft, porch, fire ring, SmartTV and WiFi. It’s nestled in pines and overlooking a lake. Check it out here.
4. The retro Black Hawk Motel
Wanna take it indoors for sleeping but with lots of outdoor options during the day? The Black Hawk Motel features 79 units and 29 different room types, but the most notable building is the mid-century structure – right off of Highway 13 in Wisconsin Dells. Built in 1961, it’s been preserved to fulfill all dreams of living in a space-agey era featuring 10 small and tidy rooms where modern amenities meet nostalgic features, including rare, three-foot-long bath tubs. Guests have access to an outdoor and indoor pool, hot tub, two playgrounds, retro arcade and free admission to numerous waterparks. More info here.
5. City camping at Decadent Dreamz
Camp inside the city of Milwaukee at Decadent Dreamz, 10807 W. Bobolink Ave. Five pet-friendly sites are available for 8+ people. Guests can enjoy country life with campfires, hiking in a wooded maze of trails, grilling and on-site games. They can also take advantage of the city’s nightlife by visiting nearby bars or restaurants. The campground provides designated drivers and campers can rent an already-standing tent with all the necessary camping essentials. Get more details here.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
