Molly Ayala
Wisconsin's state parks have seen a notable increase in the demand for electric hookups at campsites in recent years. While some parks have responded to this demand by expanding their electric offerings, others have chosen to maintain their rustic, non-electric sites. This has resulted in a varied landscape of camping options across the state, with some parks offering a mix of electric and non-electric sites, and others relying solely on the provision of electric hookups to cater to the needs of their campers. This introduction aims to explore the electric hookup options available at Wisconsin state parks and the impact of these offerings on the overall camping experience.
Wisconsin State Parks with Electric Hookups
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Campsites with electric hookups | Willow River State Park, Lake Kegonsa State Park, Devil's Lake State Park, Interstate State Park |
| Number of campsites with electric hookups | 59 (Willow River State Park), 24 new electric sites (Devil's Lake State Park), 30-amp electrical hookups (Interstate State Park) |
| Other amenities | Drinking water, flush and vault toilets, showers, dump station, fire rings, picnic tables, fire ring and grate |
| Other information | Campsites can accommodate tents, trailers and RVs. Campgrounds can be reserved up to 11 months in advance. |
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What You'll Learn
Willow River State Park has electric hookups
Willow River State Park in Wisconsin has electric hookups at its campsites. The park has seen an expansion of electric sites in recent years, responding to the growing demands and preferences of campers. Willow River State Park offers a range of outdoor activities and is a popular destination for camping, hiking, boating, fishing, rock climbing, and swimming.
The park has two main campgrounds, the 100 Campground and the 300 Campground, with a total of 249 campsites available on the southern shore of Little Falls Lake. The 100 Campground is suitable for larger RVs or trailers, accommodating rigs up to 50 feet and featuring 33 campsites with 30-amp electric hookups. This campground is located near the lake, offering scenic views, and provides amenities such as a shower house, restrooms, and drinking water spigots.
The 300 Campground has 70 campsites, 16 of which have 30-amp electric hookups. These sites are located between the Little Falls Trail and the Willow Falls Trail, providing convenient access to the lake and a playground for children. Campers can also enjoy modern restrooms, hot showers, and shaded picnic tables at this campground.
Additionally, the 200 Campground, located in the middle of the park near the service building, offers 30 well-spaced sites, 12 of which have electric hookups. This campground also provides a comfort station with showers and restrooms, as well as potable water spigots near certain sites. Campers in all areas of the park can take advantage of the campfire rings with grills provided at each site, allowing for both indoor and outdoor cooking options.
Willow River State Park caters to a range of camping preferences, from those seeking primitive sites without utilities to those requiring electric hookups for their RVs and trailers. The park's electric hookups enable campers to power their devices and appliances, enhancing their overall camping experience.
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Interstate State Park has electric hookups
Wisconsin's state parks have been expanding their electric sites to meet the growing demands of campers. Interstate State Park, which straddles the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota, is one such park that provides electric hookups for its campers. The Wisconsin section of the park is larger, with 1,330 acres compared to Minnesota's 298 acres.
The camping section of the park is divided into two campgrounds, with the North campground offering a combination of tent-only sites, electric hookup sites for RV camping, non-electric RV campsites, and primitive group campsites. The North campground also has a dumping station, vault toilets, a restroom with showers, and arrangements for clean drinking water. Site #32 is an electric RV campsite with facilities for the handicapped. The North campground can accommodate a maximum of six people per campsite, and no more than two motor vehicles and one RV trailer or motorhome per site.
The South campground has 45 sites, which are a combination of tent-only and RV campsites. However, none of the RV campsites in the South campground support electricity. There are four vault toilets, drinking water, and a dumping station available in this campground. The group camping site in the South campground can accommodate groups larger than six people, with a maximum capacity of 200 people.
Campers can reserve sites up to 11 months in advance, with a maximum stay of 14 days in a 21-day period. A vehicle permit is mandatory for all vehicles entering the park, with annual sticker permits available for purchase.
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Devil's Lake State Park has electric hookups
Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin has electric hookups, and these are very popular with campers. In fact, the park has seen an increase in demand for electricity from campers, with people charging laptops and phones. The park has 424 sites in total, and the project to add electric hookups will add 24 new electric sites and upgrade electrical hookups at 129 more. This will increase the capacity of the park's electric campsites from 15 or 20 amps to as high as 50 amps.
Devil's Lake State Park is the state's most-visited park, attracting over two million visitors annually. The addition of electric hookups is a response to the growing demands of campers and economic pressures. With budgets tight, the park is relying on donations from volunteer groups.
The electric sites at Devil's Lake State Park are wooded and highly sought-after, often being the first to be reserved. Campers can make reservations up to 11 months in advance, and same-day reservations are also available. The park has had problems meeting electrical demand on hot days when campers use air conditioning, and the upgrades will help address this issue.
It is important to note that while Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin has electric hookups, there is also a Devil's Lake State Recreation Area in Oregon, which offers a different set of amenities. The Oregon site does have electrical sites, but they do not offer lake views, and the campground does not have a boat launch.
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Campers' growing demand for electricity
To meet the growing demand for electricity, state parks like Devil's Lake have undertaken projects to add new electric sites and upgrade electrical hookups. These upgrades aim to increase the electrical capacity of campsites to accommodate higher-power appliances. The improvements in electrical access are a top request from campers, who seek more convenient and comfortable camping experiences.
The increasing demand for electricity in campsites has also led to a debate about electricity usage and pricing between campers and campground owners. Campers aim to save costs, while campground owners face rising electricity prices. This conflict has resulted in discussions about metering electricity usage and implementing a la carte pricing for amenities. Campground owners are exploring options like submetering and electricity monitoring systems to manage energy costs and potentially increase revenues.
While some campers prefer rustic, off-the-grid camping experiences, the demand for electricity in campsites continues to grow. Campgrounds usually provide electricity and include the cost in the campsite fee, typically ranging from $5 to $10 per day for electric hookups. Campers with higher-consumption RVs or those seeking to use various electrical appliances may opt for campsites with higher-amp services.
To balance the demand for electricity and manage costs, some campers have turned to solar power as a self-sufficient and environmentally friendly alternative. Solar panels installed on camper roofs or built into RVs can reduce reliance on generators and the grid. However, some campers still prefer shore power, and campground owners are working to meet their electricity needs while adapting to changing fiscal landscapes and technological advancements.
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Wisconsin state parks' expansion of electric sites
Wisconsin state parks have seen a significant expansion of electric sites in recent years, responding to the growing demands and preferences of modern campers. In 2013, Wisconsin completed its largest expansion of electric sites in decades, a project that added electrical sites to 18 state parks and forests, creating 192 new electric sites and upgrading electrical systems at 285 existing sites. This two-year project, costing $2 million, brought the total number of electric campsites in Wisconsin state parks to 1,172, or 30% of all campsites, the maximum allowable level.
The expansion of electric sites in Wisconsin state parks is driven by several factors. Firstly, campers' preferences and demands have evolved, with many seeking more technological comforts and increased electrical support to power devices such as laptops and air conditioners. Park rangers have observed that electric sites are consistently the first to be occupied, indicating their popularity. Secondly, there has been a reduction in taxpayer funding for Wisconsin state parks, with the state cutting taxpayer support for operations in 2015. This has resulted in parks becoming more reliant on revenue from visitors and donations from volunteer groups. To increase revenue, parks have recognised the need to offer amenities that visitors are willing to pay for, and electric campsites fall into this category.
The expansion of electric sites has not been without opposition, however. The Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO) and individual private campground owners initially expressed concerns about potential competition from state parks offering more amenities. Despite this opposition, the expansion of electric sites in Wisconsin state parks is set to continue, with projects such as the campground expansion at High Cliff State Park, funded by Walker's proposed 2017-19 budget, which allocated $900,000 for this purpose.
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