There’s something about camp weddings that changes the pace of a wedding weekend.

People stay up around fires instead of heading back to hotels. Friends wake up slowly together over coffee. Guests swim, play cards, wander trails, sit on docks, and actually spend time together instead of compressing everything into six rushed hours.

The best camp weddings feel less like productions and more like temporary little communities.

Maybe that’s part of why these weddings feel especially meaningful to us personally. Ray grew up spending summers at camp, and there’s something familiar about the rhythm of camp weekends that still feels grounding years later — shared meals, late nights outside, slow mornings, people gathering naturally instead of formally. Camp weddings tend to bring those same dynamics into a wedding weekend in a really beautiful way.

Wisconsin is surprisingly full of places that work beautifully for this kind of wedding — old summer camps, lakeside lodges, retreat properties, and tucked-away spaces that allow people to settle in for an entire weekend together.

If you’re planning a camp wedding in Wisconsin, there are surprisingly good options throughout the state for everything from intimate lakeside weekends to larger full-camp gatherings.

Some are highly designed and curated. Others are simple and rustic. Some work best for large guest counts while others shine as quieter, more intimate gatherings.

Below is our updated list of some of the best camp wedding venues in Wisconsin — including a few things we think are especially worth knowing about each one.

 

Southern Wisconsin Camp Wedding Venues

Camp Kettlewood

East Troy, Wisconsin

Camp Kettlewood is a former Girl Scout camp turned vintage glamping retreat, and it leans hard into that nostalgic, collected-over-time feeling. Vintage scout cabins, retro camping trailers, and canvas tents are tucked into 80 wooded acres, each one with its own private fire pit and string lights.

It’s one of the newer additions to Wisconsin’s camp wedding scene, but it photographs like it’s been there forever. Couples typically rent the entire property for the weekend, which means everyone — wedding party included — is camping together rather than driving in and out.

Best For
full wedding weekends
vintage and nostalgic aesthetics
couples wanting total privacy
guests who don’t mind roughing it a little

Good To Know
There’s no Wi-Fi on the property, which tends to be a feature rather than a drawback for couples drawn to Kettlewood in the first place.

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Vintage, secluded, collected, playful

Camp Wandawega

Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Camp Wandawega has probably become the most recognizable camp wedding venue in Wisconsin, and for good reason. It feels deeply nostalgic without trying too hard. The whole property has this layered, collected-over-time feeling that photographs beautifully in almost any weather.

There are cabins, docks, wooded trails, vintage buildings, open lawn areas, and countless small corners that make the entire weekend feel immersive instead of staged.

Best For
full wedding weekends
highly personal weddings
creative couples
smaller to medium guest counts
couples prioritizing atmosphere over formality

Good To Know
Wandawega operates more as a retreat property than a traditional wedding venue, and availability can be limited. It’s definitely a place worth inquiring about early.

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Intimate, nostalgic, artistic, relaxed

Camp Dewan

Burlington, Wisconsin

Camp Dewan feels a little wild in the best way. There’s a looseness to weddings here that works especially well for couples wanting something less polished and more experiential.

The property blends camp atmosphere with open outdoor gathering space and a barn reception area. It’s one of those venues where people naturally spread out throughout the day instead of staying confined to one event space.

Best For
relaxed wedding weekends
eclectic weddings
couples wanting flexibility
casual outdoor celebrations

Good To Know
Fifty-five acres with a private seven-acre lake, capacity up to 150, and a rental window that runs Friday through Sunday at the base rate. As of 2026 the basic package is $2,250 for sixty guests or fewer and $3,150 for sixty-one to 150, and the deluxe package, which adds overnight lodging, is $3,250 and $4,250. Cell service on the property is close to nonexistent, which most couples treat as a feature.

Overnight Lodging
Yes, but only on the deluxe package, and only eight people are included in the rate. Everyone beyond that is an additional nightly charge per person, so it works differently than a full camp buyout.

See our full Camp Dewan venue guide and a wedding we photographed there.

Guest Feel
Eclectic, outdoorsy, laid-back

 

Hilltop

Spring Green, Wisconsin

Hilltop is technically less of a traditional camp venue and more of an outdoor gathering space today, but it still carries some of that history with it. The property was once a summer girls camp, and you can still feel hints of that quieter retreat atmosphere woven into the landscape.

The views over the Driftless hills are incredible, especially near sunset, and the property works beautifully for couples wanting an outdoor wedding that feels deeply connected to the landscape.

Best For
outdoor-focused weddings
Driftless weddings
tented receptions
couples wanting scenery over formal infrastructure

Good To Know
There’s no overnight lodging onsite and no lake access, so it functions differently than a full camp wedding weekend venue.

Overnight Lodging
No

Guest Feel
Open-air, scenic, relaxed

Camp Anokijig

Plymouth, Wisconsin

Camp Anokijig is one of the more established camp properties in the state and has a lot of flexibility for larger wedding weekends. The property stretches across wooded hills and lakefront areas, giving couples a mix of classic camp atmosphere and practical infrastructure.

It works especially well for weddings where the guest experience itself is a major priority.

Best For
large wedding weekends
family-centered gatherings
active outdoor weekends
multi-day celebrations

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Classic summer camp, energetic, communal

Central Wisconsin Camp Wedding Venues

Camp Elsewhere

Waupaca, Wisconsin

Camp Elsewhere is one of the newer and more design-forward additions to Wisconsin’s camp venue scene.

The property feels intentionally curated while still maintaining a relaxed outdoor atmosphere. It works especially well for smaller weddings where the goal is intimacy and immersion rather than scale.

Best For
smaller weddings
intentional design
nature-focused weekends
couples wanting privacy

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Quiet, curated, intimate

Camp Lakotah

Wautoma, Wisconsin

Camp Lakotah offers a more traditional camp structure with wooded surroundings, cabins, and flexible gathering areas.

One of the strengths here is balance: it feels outdoorsy without being extremely remote, making logistics easier for guests while still preserving the camp weekend feeling.

Best For
medium-sized weddings
family-friendly weekends
couples wanting flexibility

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Classic camp atmosphere, accessible, relaxed

Camp Tamarack

Waupaca Area, Wisconsin

Camp Tamarack has the kind of Northwoods energy many couples are hoping for when they imagine a camp wedding — woods, water, cabins, and slower pacing.

It feels quieter and more understated than some of the more widely known camp venues, which can actually be part of the appeal.

Best For
rustic weddings
outdoor-focused weekends
summer weddings
smaller to medium gatherings

Good To Know
Availability for weddings may vary depending on camp programming and season.

Overnight Lodging
Yes

 

Northern Wisconsin Camp Wedding Venues

Moon Beach Camp

Eagle River, Wisconsin

Moon Beach feels deeply rooted in the Northwoods experience. Lakes, tall pines, cabins, and water access all create a really immersive environment for wedding weekends.

It’s especially strong for couples wanting guests fully onsite for multiple days.

Best For
large family gatherings
lake-focused weekends
highly immersive camp weddings

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Classic Northwoods camp

Stout’s Island Lodge

Birchwood, Wisconsin

Technically more lodge than camp, but still one of the most unique wedding weekend experiences in the state.

Accessible primarily by boat, Stout’s Island creates a destination feeling without leaving Wisconsin. The entire property feels removed from normal life in a way that naturally slows people down.

Best For
elevated camp/lodge weddings
destination-style weekends
couples wanting a secluded experience

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Historic, lakeside, secluded

Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary

Hayward, Wisconsin

Hunt Hill combines woods, cabins, and environmental preservation with a quieter, more understated atmosphere.

The property works especially well for couples wanting a nature-centered wedding without a highly commercial feeling.

Best For
smaller weddings
environmentally-minded couples
intimate weekends

Overnight Lodging
Limited

Guest Feel
Quiet, natural, retreat-focused

Camp St. Croix

Hudson, Wisconsin

Camp St. Croix sits on 400 acres of bluffs overlooking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, and the scale of the property is part of what makes it feel special. There are woods, prairies, gardens, and pine-covered ridgelines to work with, plus two different amphitheaters for outdoor ceremonies depending on how big the guest list gets.

It’s a property built for community gatherings rather than polished events, which gives weddings here a relaxed, settled-in feeling. Guests can hike, canoe, sit around the fire, or just wander the bluffs between the ceremony and reception.

Best For
large wedding weekends
couples wanting dramatic natural scenery
multi-day gatherings
families and guests of all ages

Good To Know
Camp St. Croix requires in-house catering for events at the Main Camp, though the North Property allows outside caterers. It’s worth confirming which property and package fits your vision early on.

Overnight Lodging
Yes

Guest Feel
Expansive, scenic, community-oriented

Camp Northwoods

Northern Wisconsin

Camp Northwoods offers a more rustic and traditional summer camp setting with wooded surroundings and a strong communal atmosphere.

It’s a good fit for couples who care less about polished aesthetics and more about creating a relaxed shared experience for guests.

Best For
casual camp weddings
guest-focused weekends
outdoor activities
nostalgic camp atmosphere

Good To Know
Wedding availability may vary depending on camp schedules and programming.

Overnight Lodging
Yes

A Few Things Worth Thinking About With Camp Weddings

Camp weddings usually work best when the weekend has room to breathe.

One of the easiest mistakes to make is trying to schedule every hour too tightly. The weddings that tend to feel the most memorable are often the ones where people have space to settle into the environment a little bit — lingering over breakfast, sitting on docks, wandering trails, staying around fires later than planned.

Weather matters too, but maybe not in the way people initially expect.

Some of the most meaningful camp weddings we’ve photographed happened under cloudy skies or in light rain. Camp venues tend to absorb imperfect weather differently than traditional venues do. The atmosphere often becomes part of the experience instead of something fighting against it.

Lighting also changes everything once the sun goes down. String lights, lanterns, candles, bonfires, and softer evening lighting can completely shape how the night feels — not just visually, but emotionally too.

And maybe most importantly, camp weddings tend to work best when couples lean into what makes them different instead of trying to force a traditional ballroom wedding timeline into the woods.

The weekends that feel strongest are usually the ones that allow the environment itself to shape the experience a little.

Camp Wedding FAQ

For questions about how we work on the day itself, our full wedding photography FAQ has more.

How much does it cost to rent a camp for a wedding in Wisconsin?

It varies enormously, more than any other venue category we work in. Smaller church-affiliated and nonprofit camps can land in the low thousands for a weekend. At the high end, Camp Wandawega runs $22,500 for a Friday-to-Sunday buyout and $15,000 for two weeknights. Most camps sit somewhere between. The number that matters isn’t the headline rate, it’s the rate divided by the number of guests who sleep there, since lodging for 40 to 60 people is folded into it.

Do camps require a multi-night rental?

Many do, and it’s worth expecting. Camp Wandawega, for instance, only rents as a two-night exclusive buyout and won’t do a single day. The logic is the same everywhere: camps are built around overnight stays, and a one-day event leaves the lodging empty. Ask early, because it changes your budget more than almost any other detail.

Can our guests actually stay overnight?

That’s the whole point, and it’s what separates a camp from every other venue. Capacity is usually split into two numbers: how many people can attend the ceremony and reception, and how many can sleep on site. Those are rarely the same. Plan on booking nearby hotel rooms for the difference, and on arranging a shuttle.

What’s actually included when you rent a camp?

Usually the property and its activities, and not much else. Most camps lease you the grounds and step back, which means you’re bringing in catering, bar, rentals, tables, chairs, and often a tent. Some require an event tent as a condition of the rental. Budget for a DIY wedding, because that’s what this is.

Are camp weddings cheaper than traditional venues?

Not necessarily, and couples are often surprised. The rental looks high next to a barn or a hall, but it’s covering two or three days and lodging for dozens of people. Compare it against a venue rental plus two nights of hotel rooms for your closest guests and the math shifts. Compare it against a single afternoon in a ballroom and it won’t.

What happens if it rains?

Ask this on the tour, because camps vary more than most venues. Some have a lodge or dining hall big enough for the full guest count. Others have no large indoor space at all and require you to rent a tent specifically as the rain contingency. There’s usually a good answer, but it’s rarely automatic.

What are the bathrooms and showers like?

Rustic, and worth planning around honestly. Shared bathhouses are normal. Shower counts are often in the single digits for fifty-plus overnight guests, so build extra getting-ready time into your Saturday and consider renting a few portable restrooms for the weekend. Nobody regrets over-planning this one.

Can we bring our own caterer and alcohol?

Usually yes, and it’s one of the real advantages. Because most camps lease the property rather than running events, you’re free to choose your own caterer, bartender, and rentals. Food trucks work especially well in this setting. Policies differ, though, so confirm alcohol rules specifically rather than assuming.

When is camp wedding season in Wisconsin?

Broadly May through October, and narrower than that in practice. Most camp buildings aren’t heated or air conditioned, and the whole experience assumes people are outdoors. A few camps winterize part of their property for small groups, but a full-size winter camp wedding is unusual.

Are camp weddings good for kids?

Unusually good. Lakes, trails, archery, canoes, campfires, and open space mean children entertain themselves for two days straight. If a meaningful share of your guest list is families, this is one of the strongest arguments for a camp.

How far in advance do camps book?

Earlier than you’d think, because most camps only host a handful of weddings a year around their regular programming. If you have a date in mind, inquire well ahead. Weekday rentals are usually easier to get and meaningfully cheaper.

Costs and policies above are current as of August 2026 and vary by camp. Confirm specifics with any venue directly. For a deeper walk through the logistics, see our guide to renting a summer camp for your Wisconsin wedding, and our full venue guide to Camp Wandawega.

Why We Keep Coming Back to Camp Weddings

Maybe that’s part of why camp weddings continue to resonate with us so much.

Ray grew up spending summers at camp, and there’s still something familiar about the rhythm of these weekends years later — shared meals, coffee on cabin porches, late conversations outside, kids running through fields, people staying by the fire long after the formal parts of the day are over.

The wedding becomes part of a larger shared experience instead of a single isolated event.

And honestly, that’s often what people remember most anyway.

Not perfect timelines or perfectly folded napkins, but the feeling of being together somewhere meaningful for a few days.

For couples who care more about atmosphere, relationships, and creating an experience their people can actually settle into, camp weddings can be an incredibly beautiful way to begin a marriage.

If a camp wedding is what you’re picturing, this is exactly the kind of wedding we love photographing. Get in touch and let’s talk about your weekend.

 

Still in the research phase? Our full guide to renting a Wisconsin summer camp for your wedding covers what to expect, what to ask, and how the weekend typically comes together.

Also you can go here for our list of The Best Barn Wedding Venues in Wisconsin or here for a list of Intimate Wedding Venues.

Camp weddings we’ve photographed

Camp Wandawega three times: Heather + Scott, Danielle + Andrew’s full weekend, and David + Heather’s Tuesday wedding, plus our Wandawega venue guide. Elsewhere: Camp Dewan in Burlington, Northwoods Retreat in White Lake, Melissa + Todd at Camp Winnebago, and Robbie + Sarah’s summer camp wedding.

If you’re ready to book one, read what to know before renting a summer camp for your wedding: lodging, food, hot water, and how to plan a full weekend.

For everything outside the venue question, our Wisconsin wedding planning guide collects it in the order you’ll need it.