Reservation7/10
Buckhorn West Backpack Sites cancellations
Eleven backpack sites on the western shore of the peninsula....
Buckhorn South Backpack Sites Permit
Buckhorn State Park (WI) · Wisconsin
One date at a time
Ten backpack sites on the southern end of the park peninsula.
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Buckhorn South were gone within 5 minutes.
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Buckhorn South Quick Facts
Permit RequiredYes
Booking MethodReservation
Demand LevelHigh7/10
Buckhorn South Permit Facts
- As of September 2026, Buckhorn South in Buckhorn State Park (WI), Wisconsin requires a permit issued via reservation.
- Buckhorn South is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
- Cancelled Buckhorn South permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.
Key Information
Permit Details
TypeBackpacking
Booking MethodReservation
Demand Level7/10
LocationCentral Sands, WI
What to Expect
Highlights
- •DNR describes the whole cart-in group as 50 campsites and names them by number rather than by area: "Camping is available year-round at backpack sites 9, 16 and 26-29. A shared cart is available for sites 10-12, 25 and 199, 23-24, 30-33 and 39-42."
- •"All the backpack sites are in small clusters and most are secluded and near the water. The individual sites are further apart than traditional campsites."
- •The one distance DNR publishes: "The campsites near the rustic shelter are only a few hundred yards from the parking area."
- •"Campers can also get their gear to the sites by boat or canoe."
- •"Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and bench. A portable toilet is available for each cluster of sites. A small pit toilet is available for sites 26-29."
- •The 1.5-mile Turkey Hollow trail is the walking access — DNR: it "goes to the west side of the peninsula in the southern part of the park, providing access to backpack campsites."
Best Time to Visit
Sites 9, 16 and 26-29 are bookable year-round; the rest follow the season. In 2026 the calendar is set by road construction rather than weather — DNR's closures run April through October in staggered blocks, and it advises using the reservation site's "Notify Me" button for sites that reopen.
Hazards & Considerations
- !Bears. DNR, on this park's own camping page: "Bears can be present at this property." Statewide guidance adds "Never leave food unattended" and, for remote sites, hang food "12 feet off the ground and 6 feet from any vertical support."
- !Mosquitoes, which DNR names directly.
- !2026 road construction — check the closure dates above before booking, because they move.
- !DNR publishes no water source at the cart-in sites.
Weather Forecast
Trailhead (5,000 ft)
Today
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62°
54°
Wed
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70°
52°
Thu
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74°
55°
Fri
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74°
53°
Sat
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69°
51°
Sun
⛅
73°
48°
Mon
☁️
75°
54°
View full NWS forecast →Mountain weather changes rapidly. This forecast is a guide—always be prepared for worse conditions.
How to Get This Permit
1
Create a Wisconsin DNR (GoingToCamp) account
Sign up at Wisconsin DNR (GoingToCamp) if you don't have an account. Have your payment info ready.
2
Know the release schedule
Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.
3
Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
4
Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
Learn More
About This Permit
Wisconsin DNR: "Buckhorn State Park is a paradise for water enthusiasts, hunters, hikers, campers and nature lovers. The park and two adjacent state wildlife areas cover more than 8,000 acres on a peninsula in the Castle Rock Flowage of the Wisconsin River. Family and group campsites, unique cart-in camping, a cabin for people with disabilities, canoe trail and an accessible fishing pier, are all available at the park." (dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/buckhorn, read 2026-08-10.) DNR counts 50 cart-in campsites across the park and does not publish a south/west split — that division is the booking system's, and it is what this watch is scoped to. Buckhorn files its backpack sites under the ordinary campsite booking category rather than the state's "Backpack" category, which is why this permit's provider id carries no `:cat=` segment.
The Experience
Why It Matters
Buckhorn is the state's answer to "I want a secluded site without carrying a full pack." DNR's own framing: "This type of camping offers an opportunity to enjoy nature in a secluded wilderness setting without the effort and weight limitations of backpack camping. No special gear is required." A shared cart does the hauling, and several clusters can be reached by boat.
The Feeling
More than 8,000 acres of peninsula between the park and two adjacent wildlife areas, with the flowage on both sides. The sites sit apart from one another, mostly near water, and the nearest thing to a communal building is a screened day-use shelter for getting out of the rain.
Rules & Regulations
- •Road construction closes parts of this camping area through 2026. DNR's tentative dates: group sites A1-A8, B1-B3 and sites 30-45 closed April 1 to July 27; sites 26-29 closed May 1-22 and May 26 to July 17; sites 1-3 and 20-22 closed Aug. 1 to Oct. 10. "Construction dates are subject to change."
- •The rustic shelter serving sites 10-12, 25 and 199 is "intended for day use only."
- •Reservations run up to 11 months ahead; backpack sites may be booked for a single night.
- •Check-in is 3 p.m., checkout is 1 p.m.
- •No more than 14 days of camping in any 21 days.
- •A family site takes a parent or parents with dependent children plus up to two guests, or a group of no more than six people of any age.
- •The park is closed to non-campers between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- •Firewood must be certified or come from within 10 miles; the park office sells it when open.
- •Fires in fire rings and grills only.
- •Pets on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet; the park has a pet swim area on Water Street.
- •A vehicle admission sticker is required.
Gear Checklist
Required
- Water — DNR publishes a supply for the group sites but names none at the cart-in sites
- A way to move gear: a cart is shared between several clusters, and DNR says boat or canoe works too
- Rubbish bags
Recommended
- Insect repellent — DNR describes the rustic shelter as somewhere "campers may use it to escape the mosquitoes or to cook food out of the rain"
- A bear-resistant way to store food; DNR names bears on this property
Plan Your Trip
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Gear Checklist
Required and recommended gear for Buckhorn South
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Key Landmarks
Castle Rock Flowage
The impoundment of the Wisconsin River the peninsula sits in; the cart-in sites are mostly near its shore.
Turkey Hollow Trail
1.5 miles to the west side of the peninsula in the southern part of the park, and DNR names it as the access to the backpack campsites.
Barrens Nature Trail
1.5 miles, with a 20-foot observation tower in the middle of the park.
Rustic shelter
Serves sites 10-12, 25 and 199, with a picnic table and screened windows. Day use only.
Buckhorn South FAQ
How do I get a Buckhorn South permit?
Buckhorn South permits use a reservation system. PermitSnag sends lottery open, deadline, and results reminders; you can also enable cancellation alerts if spots open later.
When is the best time to visit Buckhorn South?
Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.
How competitive is the Buckhorn South permit?
This permit has a demand score of 7/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.
What if I can't get a Buckhorn South permit?
Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. Pro and $19 single-permit alerts are checked about every minute, 24/7; free accounts are checked hourly.
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Trail Conditions
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Consider these alternatives if your preferred dates aren't available.
Buckhorn West Backpack Sites
Same AreaThe other cluster of cart-in sites on the same peninsula, on the western shore.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Same park, same rules, different nights available — worth watching both.
Governor Dodge Backpack Campsites
Similar ExperienceSix sites half a mile from the lot, ninety minutes southwest in the driftless area.
Permit required
Tradeoffs
Water and pit toilets at the parking lot, and no construction closures — but no lake.
🏕️
Where to Stay
Nearby campgrounds to complete your Buckhorn South trip
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