Buckhorn West Backpack Sites Permit
Buckhorn State Park (WI) · Wisconsin
Eleven backpack sites on the western shore of the peninsula.
Get an alert when Buckhorn West opens on your dates.
When it opens
- 11 months
- First come, first served from 11 months before your start date, at 9 am CentralYou book on the agency's site.
Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
70% of the openings our scanner caught on Buckhorn West were gone within 10 minutes.
How to get a Buckhorn West permit
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, and PermitSnag alerts you the moment one opens.
- Type
- Backpacking
- Location
- Central Sands, WI
Step 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.
Step 2: Know the release schedule
Permits release on a rolling basis. Check the release time for your dates.
Step 3: Be ready when permits drop
Log in a few minutes early. Have your dates, group size, and payment ready to go.
Step 4: Monitor for cancellations
If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.
More on Buckhorn West: Live availability activityWhen Buckhorn West permits open up
The Buckhorn West hike
Buckhorn West landmarks
- 1Castle Rock Flowage
The Wisconsin River impoundment the peninsula divides; the west sites sit on its western shore.
- 2Buckhorn canoe trail
DNR lists a canoe trail among the park's facilities, alongside an accessible fishing pier.
- 3Barrens Nature Trail
1.5 miles, with a 20-foot observation tower in the middle of the park.
The western shore of the Buckhorn peninsula: cart-in sites you can also reach by boat.
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 counts 50 cart-in campsites across the park. This alert covers the western sites.
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 set an alert on 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.
Buckhorn West hike 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: "The campsites near the rustic shelter are only a few hundred yards from the parking area".
When to hike Buckhorn West
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.
Buckhorn West rules, gear and safety
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
Recommended gear
- Insect repellent; DNR mentions mosquitoes by name at this park
- A bear-resistant way to store food: DNR names bears on this property
Rules & regulations
- 01Road 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."
- 02Reservations run up to 11 months ahead; backpack sites may be booked for a single night.
- 03Check-in is 3 p.m., checkout is 1 p.m.
- 04No more than 14 days of camping in any 21 days.
- 05A 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.
- 06The park is closed to non-campers between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- 07Firewood must be certified or come from within 10 miles.
- 08Fires in fire rings and grills only.
- 09Pets on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet.
- 10A vehicle admission sticker is required.
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 water at the cart-in sites: carry it in.
Safety & planning
Emergency Info
Emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for Buckhorn West.
Food Storage
Bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations for this permit.
Gear Checklist: Required and recommended gear for Buckhorn West · Shuttle Services: Trailhead transportation options · Guide Services: Experienced wilderness guides
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Buckhorn West FAQ
How do I get a Buckhorn West permit?
PermitSnag alerts you the moment a Buckhorn West cancellation opens, so you can book it before anyone else. Buckhorn West permits use a reservation system.
When is the best time to visit Buckhorn West?
Season dates are on the agency's page. Weekdays 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.
Buckhorn West trail conditions and trip reports
Trail Conditions
No active conditions reported
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Questions
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Trip Reports
Write ReportAlternatives to a Buckhorn West permit
- Same AreaPermit required
Buckhorn South Backpack Sites
The southern cluster of cart-in sites on the same peninsula, reached from the Turkey Hollow trail.
Tradeoffs
Same park and same rules; different nights come free.
- Similar ExperiencePermit required
Chippewa Flowage Boat-In Campsites
Eleven island sites on much bigger water, three hours north.
Tradeoffs
A boat is mandatory rather than optional, and the season runs May 1 to Nov. 30.
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