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Though not a destination one usually thinks of while dreaming of time outdoors, Wisconsin's playground of inland lakes, forests, and prairies beg to differ. There's hiking in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, climbing at Devil's Lake State Park, the 165-foot Big Manitou Falls, and access to (arguably) the two best Great Lakes. Sure, it may not be the place for a high alpine adventure, but not all time outdoors needs to be an expedition. Sometimes an adventure-adjacent escape can do the trick. With a beautiful place to sit back and relax after a day of hiking, biking, or kayaking. In the world of glamping, roughing it doesn't need to be part of the equation.
Think of glamping as a spectrum: it ranges from remote, backcountry shelters to luxury camping experiences in fully furnished tree houses with electricity and running water. Some glamping campsites serve as the destination itself, while others operate as a home base for exploring the surrounding area with ease. And with amenities like drive-up access, climate control, and sturdy shelter, the best glamping sites offer an accommodating, reliable way to get outside.
So if you're a novice camper ready for a little more luxury, introducing your little ones to camping, or seasoned pro who's simply trying to avoid the crowds, check out these nine options for an outdoor getaway in Wisconsin's Midwest.
Off-Grid Inn — Fall Creek, WI
Vibe: Scandinavian Inspired
Also mentioned in our roundup of Minnesota treehouse rentals, the Off-Grid Inn is the perfect setting for an elevated outdoors trip. The cabin's functional design packs in room for three adults, an air conditioner and heater, a small kitchen, and a sustainability-focused bathroom, while still immersing visitors in the surrounding forest through large windows and minimal decor. The owners also recently finished this fun complementary inn in the same location, in case some friends want to tag along. Both are available on Airbnb.
Rate: $232/night
Riverside Retreat — Poplar, WI
Vibe: In the Forest
This log-framed canvas glamping tent is steps away from the Poplar River and an ideal location for exploring the western side of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin. The tent provides the standard glamping amenities: a small kitchen with a fridge and coffee maker (though no stovetop), a firepit, an outhouse, and a small water supply, with room for four. A wood stove and an electric heater ensure the tent is open for winter glampers—but as a Midwesterner, I have to note that our winters tend to be unforgiving.
Rate: $129/night
Twisted Twig Gardens — Bayfield, WI
Vibe: Off-the-Grid Immersion
More on the rustic side, the Twisted Twig Gardens geodesic dome offers a remote retreat on a 40-acre working organic farm with the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is just a few miles away. The dome's straightforward and pleasant interior provides a queen-sized bed for two and conveniences like a single burner propane cooktop and basic kitchen supplies, plus a wood stove. There's no WiFi, cell service, shower, or electricity, however, and the dome is also a Leave No Trace operation, so plan to pack everything out.
Rate: $95/night
Camp Wandawega — Elkhorn, WI
Vibe: Retro Wilderness Escape
Recognized by the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places, Camp Wandawega's spacious canvas glamping tents serve up a nostalgic return to summer camp within driving distance of Milwaukee and Madison. Visitors are encouraged to indulge in self-guided outdoor activities like archery, hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, tennis, and volleyball during their stay. Expect to share the camp's communal spaces, like the lakefront, treehouse, and hiking trails with other glampers, though guests do have a private outdoor zone with a picnic table, grill and fire pit. The tent fits five people, but if you're planning to bring a large group, consider the nearby Wandawega Rustic Camping Cluster.
Rate: $400/night
Perry Pines Yurt — Cable, WI
Vibe: Old School Charm
This charming yurt offers both cozy ski-lodge vibes in the winter and long, relaxing nights on the wraparound deck in summer. It's intended to be a couple's retreat but sleeps up to four, with a stocked kitchenette, separate bathroom, and access to canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards.
Rate: $225/night
Boulder Ridge Treehouse — Bayfield, WI
Vibe: Everything's More Fun in the Trees
It's not every day you can sleep in a handcrafted treehouse decorated with Lake Superior driftwood. This cabin rental's funky structure, built mostly using wood harvested from the same property, features comforts like a small kitchen, indoor fireplace, hot water, and even a TV. While not as rustic as some may prefer, it serves as the perfect home base for exploring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore or the Moquah Barrens State Natural Area.
Rate: $299/night
Northern Glamping Camp — Crooked Lake, WI
Vibe: Lively Hideaway
Technically this is a tent, which makes it glamping, though it has the feel of a tiny house. These four-person sites with cabin-style decor are surrounded by ATV trails, rafting and fishing in the nearby rivers, and Nichole National Forest for hikers. If you're looking for seclusion and quiet, however, take note that the camp hosts also run a small bar and grill on site.
Rate: $67/night
YurtCation – Cambridge, WI
Vibe: Front Deck Living
With a lily pad-covered lake on one side and the forest on the other, this yurt is the ideal quiet retreat for two. Amenities include the usuals, like a queen-sized bed, wood stove, fire pit, and basic kitchen supplies, with the addition of a canoe for exploring the 17-acre lake. The yurt's interior may be a little lackluster, but relaxing on the deck overlooking the lake sounds pretty hard to beat, and there's a central skylight for stargazing.
Rate: $150/night
Published 04-18-2022
