Buckhorn West Backpack Sites Permit

Buckhorn State Park (WI) · Wisconsin

One date at a time

Eleven backpack sites on the western shore of the peninsula.

70% of the openings our scanner caught on Buckhorn West were gone within 5 minutes.

Plan the full trip, not just the permit

Build your full itinerary start to finish

Add your dates and get a day-by-day plan: what needs a permit, what gear to bring, and one link to share with your whole group to coordinate every step.

Start a plan — it's free

No permit needed to start

Buckhorn West Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes

Booking MethodReservation

Demand LevelHigh7/10

Buckhorn West Permit Facts

As of September 2026, Buckhorn West in Buckhorn State Park (WI), Wisconsin requires a permit issued via reservation.
Buckhorn West is a high-demand permit, rating 7/10 on PermitSnag's demand index.
Cancelled Buckhorn West permits are re-released on the booking system; PermitSnag monitors availability and alerts watchers when dates open.

Live availability activity →When Buckhorn West permits open up →

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeBackpacking

Booking MethodReservation

Demand Level7/10

LocationCentral Sands, WI

What to Expect

Highlights

•DNR treats the cart-in sites as one group of 50 and identifies them by number, not by shore: "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."
•"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."
•DNR publishes a walk-in distance for only one cluster — "The campsites near the rustic shelter are only a few hundred yards from the parking area" — and none for the rest.

Best Time to Visit

Sites 9, 16 and 26-29 are bookable year-round and the rest follow the season, but in 2026 the road project decides more than the weather does. DNR advises using the reservation site's "Notify Me" button to catch sites as they reopen.

Hazards & Considerations

!Bears. DNR, on this park's camping page: "Bears can be present at this property."
!Mosquitoes, which DNR names directly.
!2026 road construction — the closure dates move, so check before booking.
!No published water source at the cart-in sites.

How to Get This Permit

Create a Wisconsin DNR (GoingToCamp) account

Know the release schedule

Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.

Be ready when permits drop

Monitor for cancellations

If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Book at Wisconsin DNR (GoingToCamp)

Learn More

Best booking times Cancellation hunting

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 publishes no west/south split — that division belongs to the booking system, and this watch is scoped to the western map. Like its sibling, it books under the ordinary campsite category rather than the state's "Backpack" category.

The Experience

Why It Matters

The west-side sites face the Castle Rock Flowage from the other shore, and they book separately from the southern cluster, so a night that is gone on one map may still be open on the other. That is the practical reason to watch both.

The Feeling

Sites set far enough apart that you do not see your neighbours, a fire ring, a bench, and a portable toilet for the cluster. Most of them are near water, and a canoe is a legitimate way to arrive.

Rules & Regulations

•Road construction closes parts of the 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."
•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.
•Fires in fire rings and grills only.
•Pets on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet.
•A vehicle admission sticker is required.

Gear Checklist

Required

Water — DNR names no supply at the cart-in sites
A cart, a boat or a pack, depending on which cluster you draw
Rubbish bags

Plan Your Trip

🎒

Gear Checklist

Required and recommended gear for Buckhorn West

🚐

Shuttle Services

Trailhead transportation options

Browse all shuttles

🧭

Guide Services

Experienced wilderness guides

Browse all guides

Some links may be affiliate links. Purchases support PermitSnag at no extra cost to you.

Key Landmarks

Castle Rock Flowage
The Wisconsin River impoundment the peninsula divides; the west sites sit on its western shore.
Buckhorn canoe trail
DNR lists a canoe trail among the park's facilities, alongside an accessible fishing pier.
Barrens Nature Trail
1.5 miles, with a 20-foot observation tower in the middle of the park.

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Buckhorn West. Sign up to track this permit.

🐻

Food Storage

Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit. Sign up to track this permit.

Buckhorn West FAQ

How do I get a Buckhorn West permit?

Buckhorn West 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 West?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the Buckhorn West 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 West 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.