Wheeler's Campground

The Great Outdoors

Devil’s Lake State Park should be your first stop for outdoor fun when camping at Wheeler’s Campground. It’s the largest state park in Wisconsin and features some spectacular hiking trails, a few of which climb the 500-foot bluff that overlooks the lake. While those trails are pretty challenging, most of the other ones are easy enough for novice hikers and are well marked, so you won’t get lost.Don’t feel like driving your rental RV around Baraboo? There’s an excellent bike path on Walnut Street connecting Devil’s Lake State Park with the city, and it’s just outside Wheeler’s Campground. Rent a set of wheels in Baraboo if you don’t have your own.Birdwatchers should stop by the International Crane Foundation a few miles southeast of Baraboo; it’s home to all 15 of the world’s crane species. Guided hiking tours take visitors on hikes through the foundation’s extensive wetlands, pointing out and describing the habits of these majestic birds. This attraction is a must for animal lovers.If you want to get out on the water without driving all the way to Lake Michigan, you can rent a kayak in Baraboo and put in on the Wisconsin River, about ten miles to the southeast. This section of it is more lake than river, so it’s great for learning to paddle if you don’t have much experience. The little coves dotting the shoreline near Merrimac are great for fishing too, with abundant stocks of bass, pike, and trout.

Exploring the City

The closest town to Wheeler’s Campground is Baraboo, one of the larger towns in south-central Wisconsin. It’s a lively community with several great attractions and an extensive restaurant selection. Those looking for a bargain will love camping with an RV in Baraboo; the Outlets at the Dells Shopping Center has dozens of name brand stores selling their wares at deeply discounted prices. If you prefer something a little more unique, there are several locally-owned shops stocking everything from jewelry to toys to home furnishings in Baraboo’s downtown area off Broadway Street. Gaming enthusiasts should check out the Ho-Chunk casino just off Highway 12 and a few miles north of Baraboo.The biggest draw for tourists, though is the Circus World Museum. The world-famous Ringling Brothers called Baraboo home and started their circus company here; several exhibits have been constructed to honor their contributions to the entertainment world. Ringlingville was the winter home of the circus, and its many barns and storage buildings are where all the animals and costumes for the shows were kept. It's now open to the public. While the touring circus is no more, you can still catch a local showing at the Circus World Museum’s Hippodrome.Despite Wisconsin’s notoriously cold climate, several wineries are operating in the Baraboo area, and each of them has tastings and tours that are sure to please the wine aficionado. Wisconsin’s growing season is considerably shorter than some of the more well-known wine-producing regions like California’s Central Valley, which has led the vineyards to grow hardier grapes that can tolerate colder temperatures. These varieties have unique flavors that aren’t seen in mass-produced wines, so be sure to pick up a few bottles after the tasting to take home to wine-loving friends and family.