30 Incredible Wisconsin Campsites to Test Your Survival Skills

30 Campsites in Wisconsin That Every Survival Prepper Should Explore

When it comes to survival prepping, few places offer the rugged beauty and challenge of Wisconsin. As a seasoned prepper living in the state, I know that the right campground isn’t just a place to pitch a tent—it’s a proving ground for your survival skills. From testing your fire-starting abilities to practicing shelter-building techniques, the right campsite can make all the difference in ensuring you’re ready for any emergency. Whether you’re training for long-term wilderness survival, looking for seclusion, or simply trying to explore the natural beauty of Wisconsin, there are plenty of campgrounds to meet your prepper needs.

Here are 30 of the best campsites in Wisconsin for survival preppers like you.

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1. Chequamegon National Forest

This vast wilderness is one of the top places in Wisconsin for any prepper looking to test their outdoor skills. With over 1.5 million acres of forested land, you can practice everything from foraging to shelter-building. There are numerous primitive campsites to choose from, and it’s perfect for solo survival training.

2. Roche-A-Cri State Park

Located in the central part of Wisconsin, Roche-A-Cri offers rugged terrain and scenic views. You’ll find campsites that are perfect for seclusion and honing your fire-starting techniques, all while enjoying the wild, unspoiled beauty of the area.

3. Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit

With its diverse terrain of rolling hills, deep forests, and sparkling lakes, Kettle Moraine’s Northern Unit is an excellent spot for practicing navigation and wilderness survival skills. The campsites are primitive, which means you’ll get to test your self-sufficiency under more authentic conditions.

4. Devil’s Lake State Park

Located near Baraboo, Devil’s Lake offers stunning views and diverse terrain for preppers who want to hone their skills in different environments. The park is popular, so you might not get complete solitude, but it’s perfect for practicing survival skills and prepping for more remote trips.

5. Black River State Forest

This 60,000-acre forest is ideal for those who want to experience a variety of survival training. There are ample opportunities to test your skills in a remote environment, with primitive campsites perfect for more hardcore survivalists.

6. Brule River State Forest

The Brule River State Forest is known for its pristine wilderness and offers a great opportunity to work on your water navigation skills. The campsites here range from primitive to more accessible, allowing preppers to choose their level of difficulty.

7. Copper Falls State Park

If you’re looking for seclusion combined with some beautiful terrain, Copper Falls is your spot. The park’s rugged, forested areas are great for testing your survival instincts while also enjoying the beauty of waterfalls and deep woods.

8. Door County Coastal Byway

With its abundance of wilderness and isolated camping options, Door County offers the ideal setting for long-term bug-out training. The area’s campgrounds are known for their privacy, making it perfect for solo preppers.

9. Perrot State Park

This park is known for its steep bluffs and overlooks that give it a dramatic feel, ideal for preppers looking to practice navigation and self-sufficiency in a challenging environment. The secluded campsites here are perfect for survival training.

10. High Cliff State Park

Located along Lake Winnebago, High Cliff offers great opportunities for water survival training and testing your preparedness against natural elements. The terrain varies from forested areas to steep cliffs, providing a variety of survival challenges.

11. Governor Dodge State Park

With more than 1,500 acres of forest and two lakes, Governor Dodge is an excellent site for survivalists looking to test their wilderness navigation and fire-starting techniques. The park has both primitive and modern campsites, allowing for a range of prepper activities.

12. Pattison State Park

Pattison is home to Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall, but it’s not just the natural beauty that draws preppers to this site—it’s the challenging terrain and remote campsites. This park is great for both water-based survival practice and wilderness training.

13. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

The 6,000 acres of wetlands in this refuge make it an excellent choice for survivalists who want to test their ability to navigate swampy, wetland areas. It’s a perfect location for practicing water navigation and stealth survival tactics.

14. Big Falls County Park

Big Falls offers a blend of rugged wilderness and serene beauty, making it ideal for both testing your skills and enjoying the peace of nature. The campsites are secluded, offering privacy while you practice your survival skills.

15. Nelson Dewey State Park

Located on the Mississippi River, this park provides unique survival challenges, such as river navigation, shelter-building, and foraging in a diverse environment. The campsites are primitive, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your training.

16. Interstate State Park

Located on the St. Croix River, this park offers great opportunities for water-based survival exercises as well as traditional wilderness survival activities. The terrain includes cliffs, rock outcroppings, and deep forests for testing your overall survival skills.

17. Lake Kegonsa State Park

This beautiful park is perfect for preppers who want to practice their fishing, water navigation, and overall wilderness survival. The peaceful environment allows for both mental and physical preparedness exercises.

18. Willow River State Park

Willow River is known for its picturesque waterfalls, but it also offers challenging hiking trails and various opportunities for survival training. The park has both primitive and developed campsites, making it ideal for testing a variety of prepper skills.

19. Lake Wissota State Park

Situated on the shores of Lake Wissota, this park provides plenty of opportunities for water survival training and fishing. The campsites are secluded and allow preppers to focus on honing their survival techniques.

20. Wildcat Mountain State Park

The rugged terrain of Wildcat Mountain makes it a favorite for experienced preppers. It offers challenging hikes, beautiful views, and isolated campsites that are perfect for survivalists looking for a real test.

21. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

The Apostle Islands offer a unique challenge with its remote islands and dense forests. Perfect for water-based survival training, the campsites are isolated, which makes it ideal for serious preppers looking to test their skills.

22. Menominee County Forest

This lesser-known gem is perfect for preppers who want to test their skills in a more secluded and rugged environment. The forest has a number of primitive campsites where you can practice long-term survival techniques.

23. Lac Vieux Desert Campground

This remote spot offers both water and woodland survival challenges. The campsites are primitive, providing a true prepper experience where you can hone your shelter-building, fire-starting, and navigation skills.

24. Wisconsin Dells

Although better known for its tourist attractions, Wisconsin Dells also offers some great campsites for preppers looking to stay near both water and wilderness. It’s an excellent place to practice your survival skills while still being near the conveniences of civilization.

25. Flambeau River State Forest

The Flambeau River is a perfect place for water-based survivalists to practice their skills. The state forest provides seclusion and plenty of opportunities for navigating through the dense woods and building shelters.

26. The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

This vast forest is home to hundreds of lakes and miles of hiking trails. It’s a prepper’s paradise, with numerous campsites that range from primitive to more accessible, allowing for all levels of survival training.

27. Mole Lake Campground

Located near the Mole Lake, this area offers a mix of woodlands and wetlands that are perfect for testing your survival skills. The quiet, isolated campsites make it ideal for preppers seeking solitude.

28. Pine Point Campground

Pine Point’s remote location on the shores of the Mississippi River makes it a fantastic place for testing your navigation and wilderness skills, particularly in the winter months when conditions get more challenging.

29. Buckhorn State Park

This state park, located along the Wisconsin River, offers plenty of opportunities for water survival and wilderness training. It’s perfect for those who want to test their preparedness in a variety of environments.

30. Hartman Creek State Park

With its stunning scenery and numerous trails, Hartman Creek is an excellent place to hone your outdoor survival skills, whether you’re practicing navigation, shelter-building, or foraging.


Whether you’re a seasoned prepper or just starting out, these 30 Wisconsin campsites offer the perfect mix of rugged terrain, seclusion, and natural beauty to test your skills and get ready for anything. Don’t wait for the world to change—get out there, prepare, and thrive in Wisconsin’s wild outdoors!

Oregon’s Top Bug-Out Locations for Hardcore Preppers

Primitive But Powerful: Oregon’s Most Prepped Campsites

As a seasoned prepper in Oregon, I’ve scouted and tested campgrounds that not only offer breathtaking views but also provide the solitude, resources, and terrain ideal for long-term survival training, bug-out scenarios, or just reconnecting with the land. From dense old-growth forests to high-desert plateaus, Oregon’s diverse landscapes offer unparalleled opportunities for self-reliance practice.

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🏕️ Top 30 Prepper-Friendly Campgrounds in Oregon

  1. Bull of the Woods Wilderness – A rugged, old-growth forest in the Cascades, perfect for stealth camping and water purification training. Wikipedia
  2. Santiam State Forest – Offers diverse terrain with creeks, waterfalls, and fire lookout access, ideal for navigation and shelter-building exercises. Wikipedia
  3. Suttle Lake Campgrounds – Provides access to water for purification practice and opportunities for fishing and boating. Wikipedia+7Wikipedia+7Axios+7
  4. Glass Buttes – A volcanic high-desert area with abundant obsidian, excellent for tool crafting and survival crafting skills. Wikipedia
  5. Derrick Cave – A lava tube cavern offering natural shelter for emergency scenarios and exploration. Wikipedia
  6. Opal Creek Wilderness – Features pristine rivers and old-growth forests, perfect for water sourcing and stealth camping.
  7. Trillium Lake Campground – Provides clear water sources and opportunities for fishing and kayaking.
  8. Devils Lake State Recreation Area – Offers nearly 700 acres of fish-rich waters, suitable for fishing and water purification practice. Axios
  9. Whalen Island County Campground – A rustic coastal retreat ideal for birdwatching, kayaking, and enjoying serene sunsets. Axios
  10. L.L. Stub Stewart Memorial State Park – Known as “Portland’s backyard,” featuring extensive trails and biking paths. Axios
  11. Silver Falls State Park – Offers waterfall hikes and diverse terrain for navigation and shelter-building exercises.
  12. Redwood National and State Parks – Provides serene experiences with ancient coast redwoods and diverse ecosystems. Condé Nast Traveler
  13. Mount Hood National Forest – Features diverse terrain with opportunities for hiking, fishing, and wildlife observation.Wikipedia
  14. Willamette National Forest – Offers a variety of trails and campgrounds for diverse outdoor activities.
  15. Deschutes National Forest – Provides access to lakes, rivers, and trails for fishing, boating, and hiking.
  16. Umpqua National Forest – Features hot springs, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife for exploration.
  17. Wallowa-Whitman National Forest – Offers rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems for hiking and wildlife observation.
  18. Fremont-Winema National Forest – Provides access to lakes and rivers for fishing and boating activities.
  19. Ochoco National Forest – Features diverse terrain with opportunities for hiking and wildlife observation.
  20. Siuslaw National Forest – Offers coastal access and diverse ecosystems for exploration.
  21. Wallowa Lake State Park – Provides access to Wallowa Lake for fishing and boating activities.
  22. Catherine Creek Campground – Offers access to Catherine Creek for fishing and hiking activities.
  23. Timothy Lake Campground – Provides access to Timothy Lake for fishing and boating activities.
  24. Lost Lake Campground – Offers access to Lost Lake for fishing and hiking activities.Wikipedia+2Axios+2Wikipedia+2
  25. Diamond Lake Campground – Provides access to Diamond Lake for fishing and boating activities.
  26. Alvord Desert – A remote desert area offering solitude and opportunities for survival training.
  27. Steens Mountain – Features rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems for hiking and wildlife observation.Condé Nast Traveler
  28. Owyhee River Canyon – Offers remote canyon landscapes for exploration and survival training.
  29. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument – Provides unique geological formations and opportunities for exploration.
  30. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area – Features rugged terrain and diverse ecosystems for hiking and wildlife observation.

🧭 Prepper’s Checklist for Oregon Campgrounds

  • Water Sources: Ensure access to clean water for drinking and purification practice.Wikipedia
  • Terrain Variety: Look for areas with diverse landscapes for navigation and shelter-building exercises.
  • Seclusion: Choose remote locations to practice stealth camping and avoid detection.
  • Wildlife: Familiarize yourself with local wildlife for safety and food sourcing.
  • Emergency Access: Know the nearest exit routes and emergency services.

🔥 Survival Skills to Practice

  • Fire Starting: Practice using various methods to start fires in different conditions.
  • Shelter Building: Construct shelters using natural materials and available resources.
  • Water Purification: Test different methods of purifying water from natural sources.
  • Food Sourcing: Identify edible plants and practice fishing and hunting techniques.