Bear Lake Campground sits at N4715 WI-22 #110 in Manawa, Wisconsin, and is listed under the Campground category with a rating of 4.5 from 633 reviews. That combination of a central Wisconsin address and a large body of feedback makes it a reasonable candidate for anyone weighing a family camping trip, an RV stay, or a weekend stop near a swimming lake.
This review pulls together the details published about the property and the opinions visitors have left behind. It does not describe a personal stay, and it does not fill gaps with guesses; where the available information is thin, that is noted plainly.
Bear Lake Campground at a Glance
Bear Lake Campground is listed as a Campground in Manawa, Wisconsin, reachable at N4715 WI-22 #110 and by phone at +1 920-596-3308, with an official website at bearlakecampground.com where current information can be checked. The published activity listings describe camping cabins, a camping store, RV camping, a swimming lake, and a camping fee, alongside a boat ramp among the accessibility features.
The property is described as offering free on-site parking, Wi-Fi, public toilets and public showers, and a playground for children. Payment options are listed as credit cards, debit cards and NFC mobile payments, with cash-only also noted — a detail that matters because one reviewer specifically described a tiki bar by the lake as cash-only. Dogs are listed as allowed, and wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance and toilet are all part of the published accessibility information.
What Do Visitors Like About Bear Lake Campground?
The overall tone of visitor feedback is strongly favorable, with most of the reviews available here landing at five stars. Recurring praise centers on the family-friendly atmosphere, the two beach areas, the lake itself, weekend events and music, and the owners, who are named in several reviews as Bob and Sara or Sarah. Mixed and critical accounts exist too, and they tend to focus on restaurant and bar wait times, communication during busy weekends, and some maintenance concerns such as worn mini golf and untended sand courts. Because these are individual opinions rather than measured conditions, they are best read as patterns to ask about rather than settled facts.
1. A family-focused atmosphere
A theme that runs through many reviews is that the campground is well suited to families. Samantha Vollmer described it as excellent for family camp with loads of free things for kids every weekend during the camping season, and Carli Brunner wrote that the owners go above and beyond to create a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. Mike Fitz similarly called it family-focused and RV-friendly, noting space for kids to explore. These are reviewer impressions, not guarantees, but they repeat often enough to be the dominant note in the feedback.
2. Two beaches and a shallow lake
Several reviewers highlight the swimming areas. Aaron Chevalier mentioned that the campground has two beaches, one sand and one grass, while Carli Brunner described both beach areas as spacious enough for an afternoon by the lake. Lee Bochanyin wrote that the beach near the bar is shallow and sandy-bottomed with a long, gradual entry, and recommended water shoes for children because of shells on the lakebed. Bear Lake Campground's own listings include a swimming lake and a boat ramp.
3. Food, bars and weekend events
Food and drink come up repeatedly. Carli Brunner praised the main bar and restaurant for affordable drinks and a Friday night fish fry, describing a three-cheese haddock plate with salad bar and soup, and also mentioned a cash-only tiki bar by the lake plus a Bloody Mary cart that circulates on weekend mornings. Mike Fitz called the Friday fish unbelievable with a fresh salad bar, and noted live bands every weekend. Samantha Vollmer mentioned a tiki bar at the beach during summer, and Janet Kautz wrote about a bluegrass festival held in October to raise funds for the Future Farmers of America. Garrett Franklin simply enjoyed a music festival weekend.
4. Cleanliness and upkeep, with caveats
Positive accounts of maintenance are common. Carli Brunner described the grounds as clean, tidy and well-maintained, Mike Fitz called the bathrooms spotless and the sites large and clean, and Samantha Vollmer noted plenty of space. The counterpoint is that not every reviewer agreed: Andrew Samsel described the mini golf as run-down, said the basketball court lacked lines, and was unhappy with the sand around the volleyball area, while Lee Lee reported a shower that took payment without dispensing water. These are individual experiences and do not establish a consistent condition.
5. Owner hospitality
The owners are a frequent subject of praise. Aaron Chevalier called Sarah and Bob the kindest people he has met and described three years as a seasonal camper. Mike Fitz described the hosts as warm, professional and hands-on, and Jon Young said the owners are caring while the bartenders and wait staff go out of their way. Not all contact is positive, however: Sarah Deutscher reported being hung up on when calling about campsites, and Lee Lee described communication problems during a busy festival weekend. Both kinds of reports are worth weighing.
6. Pets, shade and site character
Nicholas Plante mentioned a dog area on the lake that he did not find very nice, while the campground's own listing states that dogs are allowed, and Mike Fitz wrote that dog owners will appreciate the dog swim area. Lee Bochanyin described the whole campground as a mature stand of pine, oak and maple with shaded, very wooded sites, a lakefront double site that fit a 27-foot and a 24-foot camper, and a gate in front of that site to keep small children from wandering. The same reviewer cautioned that falling trees have been known to damage equipment in severe weather.