Sometimes a camping trip takes you way off grid and out of cell service. Sometimes a camping trip brings you closer to civilization. The latter seems to be especially true around tourist hot spots. Think Peninsula State Park in Door County, Rocky Arbor State Park in the Dells, and, the campground we’re talking about today, Big Foot Beach in Lake Geneva.

While it’s definitely nice to get away, disconnect, and forget the problems of the world for awhile, sometimes it’s nice to have a low cost lodging option near the hustle and bustle of restaurants, shows, beaches, and other summer fun.

If you’re planning a trip to Lake Geneva in the summer and are a fan of camping, I encourage you to check out Big Foot Beach State Park as a low cost lodging option while you explore the area.

Big Foot Beach campground has 100 sites, containing electric sites, non-electric sites, and walk-in sites (with a walk ranging anywhere from 30 to 100 feet.)

As you plan your trip to Big Foot and utilize search engines for reviews, you might see a rumor going around the internet that alcohol is not allowed at Big Foot Beach. While this was once true, it no longer is. In 2017, the Wisconsin DNR removed Peninsula State Park and Big Foot Beach State Park from the list of properties where alcohol is prohibited. While alcohol is still not allowed in a few specific places, (see the DNR’s alcohol in state parks and forests guide for more information,) alcohol IS allowed at Big Foot Beach State Park for those of legal drinking age.

For this trip we stayed at site #74. This site was conveniently located right next to a fairly well maintained pit toilet.

The site itself was spacious, ranking on the larger site of individual campsites I’ve been to. It had the standard picnic table and fire ring with cooking grate.

Surrounded by tall trees, the site felt fairly secluded.

Weird downside of the site? This side of the park is next to a residential area. Upon closer inspection, you can see the boundary of the site is a fence with someone’s backyard on the other side.

I didn’t get too close and personal because that felt snoopy, but there’s a house back there.

Takeaway Positives:

• This site was large and well groomed
• Camping offered a low cost lodging option in a town full of pricier options
• The campground has a very well maintained flush toilet and shower building on the south side of the loop.
• You can walk from the park to bars, restaurants, and the famous Shore Path. (See my other post for more information on the path and why it is so unique.)
• The park has a beach on Lake Geneva

Takeaway Negatives:

• The park is surrounded by a neighborhood and a high school, so the sound of cars and the surrounding town are constant

Overall, my experience staying at Big Foot was great. It allowed me to access the Shore Path and indulge at some local bars & restaurants without breaking the bank.

Make sure to take the walk to the beach for wonderful views of Lake Geneva.