For all you local readers this one is very close to home and a fabulous campground with lots of recreational activities to keep the little ones busy all weekend and you relaxed. Just one slight downfall you may need to get by is its located on a military base. No you don’t have to go through a gate or have a special id to get in but you may have to deal with artillery and or gunfire noise if soldiers are training and the sight of military vehicles. If none of that phases you then go on and check this place out for either a weekend or day at the beach.

Pine View Campground is located just outside Sparta Wisconsin off highway 21.Fort McCoy is the name of the base. We hike here frequently and have camped here numerous times.

I am having a hard time finding the exact number of campsites they have but there are plenty to go around. Also the prices here vary by whether you have a military/DOD pass, general public and peak/off season prices. So I highly suggest checking out Pine View Campground Website . All sites have a fire ring and picnic table. All bathrooms are flush and hot showers available also. They have room for RV’s with hookups down to non-electric tent sites. They even offer some spectacular cabins that you can rent out. The view from them isn’t what I would want for a cabin because of there location next to a fenced off military area but the interior is amazing and great getaway if your not into “real” camping.

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Another odd rental is a Yurt. I have never seen the inside of these or know anyone who has personally, one day I would like to stay a night and see what its all about.

What really makes this campground stick out is all their recreation activities they offer for a small price mind you. Everything from 18 hole mini golf ($6 daily), pedal karts($6 hourly), paddle boats($6 hourly), canoes($6 hourly), kayaks($6 hourly) and surrey bikes($15 hourly). If you hold a military/DOD pass you get a $1 off recreation rentals. I have to mention the newly built playground the younger kids will go crazy over, volleyball courts and fishing.

The beach does have a roped off point and you need to be able to swim in order to pass to the other side. Start teaching your children to swim because they will be begging you to go to the other side as there is a platform with slides!! During peak season there are lifeguards.

As for Hiking there are a few trails. If you get a map you will see that they are measured in feet and not a one is a mile long so perfect for a family hike through the woods. 2 of the trails follow along the La Crosse River offering plaques along the way of info about different wildlife in the area. Interesting note in the Hiking Trails pamphlet it states “in Fort McCoy’s 60,000 acres there are 200 bird species, 52 mammal species, 31 reptile and amphibian species documented.” So keep your eyes peeled and point out different animals to your children as you go, another good way to keep them hiking through. If you like disc golf there is a small course throughout the trails located on the other side of this bridge

The most popular trail here is Trout Falls Trail for a good reason, see pic below.

I hiked these trails for one of my 52 Week Hike Challenge so check out this short 60 second video for more insight on the trails. Mind you this was just recently during winter so will look a bit different scenery wise during summer.

Final notes there is Camp Store that offers all the small things you would possibly forget while packing. Firewood and Ice is a available for purchase.

Note: Very close by is paintball and laser tag! Ask at camp store for directions or visit Paintball & Laser Tag

So next time your in the Sparta/Tomah area of Wisconsin swing by and check this campground out. Fort McCoy puts on a concert every year usually in August and this place fills up for that as they offer shuttles from campground to concert and back. Some past years concerts have been Toby Keith, ZZ Top, Night Ranger, Three Doors Down, Theory of Deadman, Styx, Boston, Foghat, one of my favorite was Motley Crue and Poison. Motley Crue puts on one hell of show. Any who you get the hint of what they offer. This years concert has not been released yet.

Thanks again for everyone’s interest!!

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Bonus Photos Below