Wisconsin
Published: Friday, August 17, 2007
With more than 15,000 lakes settled in its midst apart from several streams and rivers that cover at least a thousand miles, Wisconsin has to be undoubtedly a water-centered American state. RV-boarded travelers visiting this area set in the Midwestern portion of the US should thus be prepared for action on the water which should typically include canoeing, tubing, sailing, and windsurfing.Wisconsin in Regions
The land otherwise referred to as the "Badger State" also happens to be the beer central of America. A tour of its four regions should provide a clue as to why this is so. The regions include Northeast Wisconsin, Northwest Wisconsin, Southeast Wisconsin, and Southwest Wisconsin.
The Northeast Region
Northeast Wisconsin is quite simply the ultimate outdoor paradise for RV-boarded travelers with RV parking hardly a problem. One can choose from either the Northern Highland/American Legion State Forest with its 900 campgrounds or the Peninsula State Park which features four campgrounds. The latter is a popular wildlife observation center where chickadees, blue jays, deer, goshawks, black bears, coyotes, otters, beavers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, foxes, loons, and bald eagles have found the perfect home. The latter, meanwhile, is among the five public parks of the Door County of Wisconsin where, among other things, RV-boarded travelers can take on the park trails aboard a bike, play golf at the only Wisconsin 18-hole course, or visit Eagle Bluff Lighthouse for a most scenic view of Green Bay.
For many RVers, however, the place to go to in Northeast Wisconsin is Algoma where the Ahnapee River Trails Campground is located. Its main feature, apart from its many RV sites, is a 30-mile hiking path that was formerly a railway road that connects Algoma to Sturgeon Bay. Meanwhile, the nearby Ahnapee River are popular grounds for fishing and boat paddling.
The Northwest Region
Northwest Wisconsin is another area worthy of exploration via an RV. This is because it offers practically every known outdoor sport ever created. From sailing to simple wildlife viewing, the region has got it covered, with many of these enclosed in state parks and national forest areas.
The Mississippi River borders the western end of this region complemented by four others rivers namely St Croix, Eau Claire, Chippewa, and Brule found in various areas. These rivers form part of a highly-forested area that for sometime was held captive by massive timber activities but are now fast recovering and are presently protected under existing forest laws. RVers can thus expect an abundance of forest trails and numerous water-based activities in these parts designed to meet every particular interest. For starters, the 74-mile hiking path at Tuscobia Trail found at the Flambeau State Forest ought to excite hikers. Ditto for the Gandy Dancer State Trail where hikers can get a view of picturesque St. Croix River.
Meanwhile, for water lovers, the thrill of the raging waters of the Amnicon River are perfect for white- water rafting with the mighty Amnicon Falls serving as the ultimate backdrop. For a more relaxing adventure, there is the popular beach area of Lake Superior dotted by fabulous sea caves, mysterious forest areas, and a set of lighthouses believed to be the largest in these parts.
For a place to settle in the RV, travelers can try checking out Apostle Islands Area Campground in Bayfield where they can have access to still another great regional attraction, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore where they can enjoy a most diverse set of outdoor recreations including hiking, kayaking, sailing, and canoeing, among others. The campground boasts of 49 RV sites with 18 of these being fully hooked-up.
The Southeast Region
Southeast Wisconsin is headlined by the capital city, Madison, cited by Paddler Magazine as among the best cities in the US where canoeing can be enjoyed extensively. Additionally, Madison has also been acclaimed as among the top ten US cities offering excellent biking opportunities. Quite obviously, RVers who are certified hiking and biking enthusiasts will find themselves at home in these parts.
Nevertheless, for RVers who have other preferences, there are many other regional attractions that will definitely catch their fancy. For example, within the region lies Lake Winnebago, the biggest Wisconsin inland lake that encompasses 137,708 acres with a depth of 21 feet. Housed under the High Cliff State Park, the lake is a popular fishing area but RV-boarded travelers may simply want to camp out here as there are more than 100 campsites found in these parts in addition to several picnic grounds. An alternative, though, is to head off to De Forest City, approximately six miles from Madison, and check in at Madison KOA where a total of 81 spacious sites await the visiting RVer.
The Southwest Region
The Mississippi River plays a significant part in the evolution of this particular area as the river lies in its western end. Yet, apart from the famous river, there are many other bodies of water found in these parts which make for a relatively rich water-based outdoor recreation. Topping the list is Yellowstone Lake where anglers are just one of its many regular visitors. Housed under the Yellowstone Lake State Park, the lake lies adjacent to the Yellowstone Lake State Wildlife Area where wildlife viewing is a major undertaking.
For activities other than fishing and wildlife viewing, RVers can try visiting other regional state parks, particularly the Black River State Forest encompassing 67,000 acres where hikers explore the area amidst oaks and pine tree coverings. During winter, the forest is a haven for cross-country skiing enthusiasts.
One other regional state park that RVers will find quite interesting is Governor Dodge State Park based in Dodgeville. It features two artificial lakes where swimming and boating are common ventures although its area coverage of 5,000 acres also has designated spots for hikers and campers. The latter is particularly significant as it provides many RV-boarded travelers an easy solution for their parking concerns although if they prefer a more formal set-up for their RVs, they can choose from two ideal RV parks, namely, Twin Valley Campground and Tom's Campground, Inc., both of which are situated within Dodgeville.
The Cities of the "Badger State"
Except for the state capital that is Madison, the other cities of Wisconsin are not prominently featured in many written explorations of the "Badger State". This is quite unfortunate since many of these cities are actually potential tourist destinations with some being generally RV-friendly with their generous offerings of various campgrounds.
Milwaukee
Positioned in Southeastern Wisconsin, Milwaukee was formerly the home of the Algonkian Indians who gave the city its original name, Millioki, translated as "gathering place by the waters". The name was most probably adopted since three rivers, namely, Milwaukee, Kinnickinnic, and Menomonee, are known to meet here before their waters eventually flow into Lake Michigan nestled on the eastern side of the city.
As a potential tourist spot, Milwaukee is quite accessible both by air and by land. Its national airport, General Mitchell International, services 13 different airlines with direct flights to 90 different cities, making it the largest Wisconsin airport. On land, the Milwaukee County Transit System is the most popular transportation mode although Greyhound and Amtrak make regular stops here as well.
Of course, for RV-boarded travelers, riding aboard their vehicles is obviously the more favored means of exploring the city which should include a tour of several county breweries like Miller Brewing Company, Lakefront Brewery, Sprecher Brewery, and Milwaukee Ale House, the major reasons why Wisconsin has been hailed as the beer capital of the US.
For outdoor attractions, RVers can try exploring Horicon Marsh, the biggest American freshwater cattail wetland situated about an hour's drive away from Milwaukee. The area has built a reputation for being the transient home of migrating Canadian geese although RVers visiting this vast marshland should likewise expect to see at least 260 different species of birds. Other than that, RV-boarded tourists should also try visiting Paradise Landing, an indoor water park covering 20,000 square feet that boasts of four exciting water slides housed inside a unique Jamaican village, a hydro-based therapy spa, a children's pool, a relaxing lagoon, and the enchanting Cabana Cove.
Milwaukee does not boast of an RV park in its midst but that does not mean that RVers will have a hard time finding a place to park in their vehicles. On the contrary, several nearby cities offer several RV campgrounds where access to Milwaukee and all her attractions should be generally convenient. These include West Allis where the Wisconsin State Fair Park is situated. The park is the only known RV site in the Milwaukee County and provides visiting RVers convenient access to several prominent Milwaukee attractions like Miller Park and the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Kewaunee
On the northeastern edge of Wisconsin just off the coastline of famous Lake Michigan lies little-known Kewaunee City boasting of a harbor that is considered among the best. RV-boarded tourists will find its resident beach a joy to walk into apart from its relaxing sunbathing areas. The waters, meanwhile, of nearby Kewaunee River is open to a wide variety of water-based activities like sailing, swimming, fishing, and canoeing, but if RVers prefer a different kind of outdoor fun, they can try their hand at playing golf at the many golf courses found within the city or perhaps visit Kewaunee during the winter when snowmobiling is a popular outdoor endeavor.
RV parking is never a problem here since there is the Kewaunee Village RV Park to head off to. Boasting of mostly pull-through RV sites, the campground is quite near many Kewaunee-based attractions like the Marshland Nature Walk, the Bruemmer Park and County Zoo, and the Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility. For a more diverse exploration, though, RVers can check out the Thumb Fun Amusement Park, the Neville Museum, the Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Bay Beach Amusement Park, all of which are situated a mere 45 minutes away from the campground.
Big Foot Beach State Park
Lake Geneva is among the more prominent fishing areas in the southern portion of Wisconsin in a town naturally called Geneva. The lake is presently surrounded by Big Foot Beach State Park where RV-boarded travelers can enjoy, not only fishing, but camping activities as well.
The camp sites found in these parts are generally of two types, primitive and modern, both of which are set under generally wooded setting. The latter, though, boasts of more modern accommodations, including fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and parking slips for trailer vehicles.
Apart from fishing, RVers will enjoy the sandy beach found in this state park that covers at least 2,200 feet. Water-lovers, however, keep the beach busy, especially during the summer so RV-boarded travelers may want to engage in other outdoor activities when seeing the Big Foot Beach State Park during this particular time. A fine substitute would be a hike across the resident hiking path that stretches for six miles although a longer 21-mile route is available for the more experienced hiker. During winter, these trails get buried in deep snow, making them suitable grounds for cross-country skiing ventures.
Potawatomi State Park
A public park that has the sparkling waters of Sturgeon Bay as its frontage, Potawatomi State Park is a highly-forested area that covers approximately 1,127 acres dotted with rugged cliffs and granite boulders. Trees of hardwoods and pines comprise a significant portion of the forest area where hikers traversing the many forest trails are afforded the opportunity to view scenic Sturgeon Bay and the resident wildlife like foxes, raccoons, porcupines, white-tailed deer, and around 200 different bird species. Of the many hiking trails found here, the most popular is the Tower Trail, a 3.5-mile long path where a spectacular view of the setting sun is afforded the determined hiker.
RVers exploring the wonders of Potawatomi State Park need not look far for a suitable RV park for right within the state park are 125 camping sites, 25 of which are ostensibly RV-accessible as these have electrical hook-ups. Additionally, RVers coming in during the winter season will be pleasantly surprised to find out that winter camping in these parts is a common activity.
Wisconsin Visiting Time
While Wisconsin typically experiences the four North American seasons, winter is surprisingly dominant and lasts the longest beginning as early as October and often lasting until April. The season often produces temperatures below zero level and unless one is a snow lover, a winter visit is not recommended.
Summer in Wisconsin is generally mild even during July when the seasonal heat is at its extreme. Consequently, this is a good visiting time although spring and autumn are likewise ideal, especially the fall season when brilliant foliage colors dominate the landscape, complementing the many sea and sports activities that take place during this time.
Tilleda Falls Campground
Its main attraction is its resident waterfalls but there are many other attractions that RV-boarded travelers can enjoy once they check in at Tilleda Falls Campground. For instance, a nearby stream is famous for its trout fishes and anglers are welcome to engage in fishing from morning until night. Alternatively, they can try white-water rafting during the appropriate season or the relatively less perilous canoeing or boat paddling ventures.
About 50 RV sites are available here, spread over 13 1/2 acres of mostly grassy land and all equipped with 20-30 electrical supply. Access to these sites should prove to be easy for many RVers since the roads are largely paved.
Amenities being offered are generally standard and include restrooms with hot showers although some are quite unique like pedal carts, supper clubs, and tether balls. What should be most interesting, however, is the Bowler Foodland, a 24/7 convenience shop where grocery items, ice, gas, fishing supplies, and every imaginable camping needs are available.
White Tail Ridge Campground
The RV sites being offered at White Tail Ridge Campground are spacious and founded on grassy soil, but what makes them different from the sites available in other RV parks are the ten-inch buffer spaces provided for every parking area. The buffer space was ostensibly built to allow RV-boarded visitors to have a little privacy which indicates the kind of importance that the campground owners place on this particular camping aspect.
Apart from that, RVers can also get to choose from wooded and open RV sites in which they can park in their RVs, each one of which is situated beside a running stream. From here, they can enjoy such water-based pleasures as fishing and boating. RVers who have brought along their own boats also have the added benefit of placing the boat at the resident boat storage area of the campground.
The Sarona-based RV park is situated near another Wisconsin town, Haugen. RVers checking in at White Tail Ridge Campground thus have the privilege of having easy access to Haugen-based attractions like the famous Lona's Corner Cafe and the Village Grocery where practically every camping need may be purchased. Of course, Sarona is not really wanting in camping attractions itself. RVers checking in at White Tail Ridge Campground will readily find the grilled specialty being served at Get-A-Way Bar and Grill simply irresistible. For bear hunters, they can try visiting the Teddy Bear Trap for the most inventive trapping devices.
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