We stopped on a cloudy weekday and were lucky to even get in to hike since camping was closed for the season and they were doing some logging. There was parking allowed outside the gate. This is a pretty small park with just a few hiking trails and a campground. There are some interesting geological features but that is about it. The constant roar of traffic on the adjacent I-90 ruins being out in nature. I cannot imagine in summer with more traffic how anyone could camp here. We were going to eat a picnic lunch but when we got back to the car we were told that park was now closed due to logging. In my book the poorest rating I have given to one of our state parks. read more

Rocky Arbor State Park - Park - Parks Near Me - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

We spent this past weekend here while we were visiting the Dells with family. I am really struggling with giving this place a review because for what we needed it for it was perfect. Most of the time when we are camping at a state park, we are going there to enjoy the park. But in this situation we really just needed a cheap place to sleep that was super close to the Dells. So do I rate it in comparison to other state parks? Or do I rate it based on what we were looking for? I think it would be best to compare it to other state parks so keep that in mind when reading. Sites: The sites were nice and big and well kept, I also thought they were very private. The biggest problem with some of the sites is the proximity to the expressway. We were at site 80 and could literally see the headlights of cars at night through the trees. So as you can imagine it was loud, we got used to it but it did impact the relaxing aspect of the trip. We did notice that when we walked through the campground that the further you got from the highway the sound dropped significantly. Things To Do: This is where this park takes a major ding. There is just nothing to do here. No water to play in and really only one hiking trail. Now that being said, the one hiking trail is a nice one. But there is just the one. Facility: The facilities were nice, old but well taken care of. Overall: I know I only gave it 3 stars because of the reasons I states earlier. Now all of that being said, I would stay here again in a heart beat. Knowing what I know now, had I picked a site further away from the highway it would have been a lot more relaxing. And if you are just looking for a cheap place to sleep while visiting the Dells it is in a great location and it as a beautiful park with big mature trees and some cool rock formations. But as far as finding things to do, there is really nothing to do at this park. read more

I can't believe that this is the first review. Rocky Arbor is a State campground just North of the Dells. I have stayed her several times, but always when I plan a last minute camping trip to the Dells area. Book Devils lake or Mirror Lake months in advance. There is a reason that Rocky Arbor has sites open 2 weeks out. It is close to the highway and the Dells (crap)' plus has no big attraction. BUT......perfectly great for camping. The rangers are always around enforcing the laws. The sites are mostly wooded and private. The showers are super clean. The entire park is a well run outfit. No garbage, no wild animals, no loud or obnoxious campers. I have had 4 trips here in the last 8 years and have no problem going back. read more

An except from my review on my blog: "I sit here, post shower and post lunch, reconnecting to my online world after heading to Wisconsin Dells for a long weekend of doing all-things-touristy. Well, a lot of things touristy anyway. Mr. Muse and myself hauled our camper and kayak up to Rocky Arbor State Park for a few nights of disconnected (mostly) bliss. I'll start off with a bit about Rocky Arbor SP. First and foremost, the park is small, yet beautiful. There is only one hiking trail and while I would consider it pretty easy, it is riddled with tree roots trying to grab for feet, potholes, washed out areas and stairs that needed some boards replaced lest they crumble beneath your footfalls. Mr. Muse and I hiked the 1.15 miles in 50 minutes with lots of stopping to take photos. The lower part of the trail, through what was once the riverbed of the Wisconsin River before it changed course eons ago, was hot and humid, the open marsh being blasted by the sun. Once you make the climb up the stairs, carefully at that, you will find yourself under the canopy of mature trees and a cooler breeze makes this part of the hike more pleasant, albeit not as scenic, as the lower portion. The other things to note about Rocky Arbor SP is that it is very close to the interstate, as in - so close that you can hear the bass pumping in cars driving past. There are four drives with campsites on them, essentially concentric ellipses, and Mr. Muse had selected Site #31 due to it being near the restrooms (but not too close). Thankfully, he hadn't chosen a site closer to the interstate; while we could still hear traffic it wasn't deafening like it would be in the row of sites adjacent to the pavement or the next closest in. Bathrooms were plentiful and mostly "pit-style", but there was a centralized bathroom and shower facility (which is what we were near). The toilets are "low-flow" and though this might get a little TMI, if people don't do the "look back" when they're done, well... you win the prize. I can tell you that the first womens stall is a 2-flush-attempt-minimum, no matter what. Also, none of the door locks worked (this proved to be very common in the Dells businesses) - have your foot at the ready to hold shut, or close, the door on surprise interlopers. There are three toilet stalls, three sinks (no soap provided) and since I didn't use the showers (we were only there for a long weekend), I couldn't tell you if they had two or three showers. I can, however, assure you that there were lines to use the showers nearly every time I went in to use the facilities, no matter the time of day or night. Also, lots of women doing their hair... I don't worry about that when I'm camping. The sites themselves are, for the most part, spacious as far as campsites go. Some of them (1 & 2, 3 & 4) shared a drive and split off, some were tent only and there are no "drive through" sites for RV users. One little oddity we did notice was that each campsite had a shepherd's hook somewhere, presumably for campers to put their trash bags up and out of the reach of racoons, though for bears it wouldn't have helped. The campfire rings are very sturdy quarter-inch steel with a cooking grate that, smartly, was reinforced with a bar of quarter-inch steel to keep the heated metal from sagging as we have seen happen at so many other sites. Each site also seemed to have a sandy 10x10 or 12x12 "tent pad" as well as the obligatory picnic table. Firewood is sold at the entry building for $5/bundle and with the current firewood movement ban in place in the state, they were charging a reasonable price and was on par with what we saw on firewood signs in passing during our driving." Overall, I would stay here again, just not the two closest lanes near the interstate. read more

Rocky Arbor State Park - Watch for the sign! - Parks Near Me - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

I am after visiting with a close friend and we decide to go The Dells for the weekend with the families. All in all we had a great time and I thought it would be a good idea to write a quick review in regards to the tent camping. So... Price: the price is fair. I think we spent $37/night. this is pricy for the midwest, but considering it is peak season in a tourist hub, it is pretty reasonable. (vs motel rooms for $150+++ a night) camp site included the usual... a spot for the car, tent, picnic table, fire pit/grill. the plots had decent growth between them, so there was relative privacy. bathrooms: we were in site #74, at the back of the park, therefore the bathrooms were rough-ish for the kids. But the showers weren't too far, and well worth the walk for tiled floors and running water! all in all it was a nice experience, except I am giving a three star rating, rather than four, because of its proximity to the main road. we were towards the back of the park, which meant out spot was within a stones throw to the main road. Traffic was going all night. If you manage to set a sight closer to the entrance, this will not be as big of a deal. HAVE FUN! read more

The green atmosphere clears our minds and the beauty helps us escape the memory of traffic, pollution, and noise. This state park is awesome for campers, hikers and photographers. Make sure you bring bug spray for the pests. read more

Wow, you book here and hope the talk about the highway noise is overstated. It's not. The sites are beautiful, it's easy to get around, and the bathrooms are clean, but at night....I didn't get a wink of sleep. It's like setting your tent on the interstate, and we had one of the sites farthest away. There was even train noise. That, combined with the mosquitoes made for a long night. We stayed for 1 out of the 3 booked. It is such a shame, This park is for people with RV's, campers, or heavy sleepers. read more

Beautiful state park, much like all of them! The highway noise may bother people but beautiful scenery. There isn't much biking or hiking trails since it is a small campground. There is 1 hiking trail (hiking only, made the mistake of thinking I could take my bike) that splits into two directions but not very great. Showers have 2 showers and water doesn't work too well or run for long in the women's bathroom. Still a peaceful and enjoyable trip for those looking to get away! read more

I went here with my boyfriend for my first tent camping experience ever and we had a great time. We planned on very short notice (about a week) on Labor Day weekend so nearby Devil's Lake and Mirror Lake were booked solid. We got one of the last sites available but still not bad considering our last minute planning! This year we've booked about 1.5 months in advanced for Memorial Day weekend (Devil's Lake and Mirror Lake were again booked solid) and there are plenty of sites available though the electric sites go first and ones near the I94 side go last so book earlier if you wish to have your pick of the best sites. As mentioned the back area of the camp sites is right near I94 and can be noisy. If you're in sites 51-84 you're sure to hear some traffic. Everywhere else, it's not too bad or barely noticeable the further away you get. We chose this site for its central location - we drove to Mirror Lake, Devil's Lake, Parfrey's Glenn, Pewit's Nest (make sure you have your annual state park sticker!) and for supplies we could stop at the Wisconsin Dells for food and ice. FYI - The WI Dells Wal-Mart can be a nightmare during holiday weekends, be prepared! We stayed at an electric campsite here over labor day weekend and it was nice for me (first time camping) to have some modern convenience - mainly a hot pot to make my morning coffee, but this year will be getting by with no electrical plugs. The bathrooms (flush toilets! and showers) were clean when we arrived on Friday but not surprisingly got worse as the weekend went on from heavy use - not totally disgusting by a woman's standards but kind of gross the last day. Ladies please please clean your own hair out of the sinks!! Yuck. The park itself is small but very pretty. The hiking trails there are worth doing and offered beautiful scenery. Firewood is available for purchase on site though we found it for less at a nearby gas station before we arrived. The park rangers were driving around frequently and would occasionally stop to say hello or just ask if everything was okay - this happened when my bf and I were enjoying the blue moon (2nd full moon of the month) in a clearing after dark and it was nice to know they're keeping an eye out for campers. Overall we had a great time and we've already got a trip planned to go back! read more

Of the state parks in close proximity to Wisconsin Dells, this is my least favorite. The facilities and amenities are about on par with other facilities managed by the DNR, but this park's primary purpose seems to just be as a campground. There are few trails, no concessions, and it is literally right next to I-94. Not a place to go for peace and quiet. That said, if you're planning a trip to the Dells and want a convenient non-commercial campground, Rocky Arbor will be fine. Be sure to enjoy the attractions, but don't think of Rocky Arbor as a destination on its own. read more

Poison ivy everywhere, Mosquitoes, old facilities, road noise from I-94 is awful! Only one short hike. Not really a place for peace and quiet. Very expensive for non residents. read more