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This article is presented in partnership with Valor Carts, which recently launched its brand new T4 electric low-speed vehicle (pictured above).
When you first encounter Rice Lake, surrounded by a thick wall of tall trees, you’ll immediately feel much further from civilization than you actually are.
That's a huge part of the appeal of Hickory Hills Campground in Edgerton, Wisconsin, a family-run spot that's been welcoming campers since 1929. It’s also why the destination has a knack for turning a first visit into a yearly tradition (or, for many families, a lot more than a yearly visit).
An added bonus: they embrace golf cart culture, which means a low-speed electric vehicle will fit right in. More on that below.
Hickory Hills: what you should know
📸 Credit: Hickory Hills Campground on Facebook
Hickory Hills sits on 172 wooded acres about two hours from the Tri-Cities, just outside Edgerton and a short drive from Janesville. The family-friendly campground is built around Rice Lake, with a sandy beach, a fishing dock, and rowboats and canoes available for anyone who wants to get out on the water.
There's also a heated pool, a water obstacle course, and a mini golf course, so the campground itself keeps kids busy without ever leaving the property.
Weekends here are quite the vibe: live music on the beach, lively volleyball and pickleball matches, plus special themed events such as art weekend or 50s sock hop weekend. With scenic nature trails, a spring-fed lake, secluded campsites, and peaceful outdoor spaces, it’s a great spot to unplug and reconnect with nature with entertainment options within easy reach.
For those who want to venture off-site, Edgerton's small downtown has a coffee shop and a couple of wineries worth a stop, and Janesville is about 20 minutes away with the Rotary Botanical Gardens, a stretch of the Ice Age Trail, and the historic Lincoln-Tallman House.
Before you go: Midwest campground tips
A few things worth packing before a summer trip to a destination like Hickory Hills — or anywhere else in the Midwest for that matter:
Bug spray with DEET: Tick season runs hard through the region. Check for them nightly, especially after time on the trail.
A real first aid kit: Not just band-aids. Make sure to bring tweezers, antibiotic ointment, and sunscreen, too.
A portable fan or extra water: Wisconsin summers get more humid than people expect, and you certainly won’t have access to air conditioning.
A flashlight or headlamp: Campground paths get dark fast once the sun drops behind the trees.
An extra blanket: Nights cool off quicker near the water, which can come as a surprise after the daytime heat.
Go further with Valor’s T4
Wherever you go, half the fun is in the logistics: setting up the campsite, carving out that perfect beach spot, getting your fishing gear all situated on the canoe.
That's the kind of work the T4 is built for. A few ways it shows up over a weekend:
Morning coffee runs. Skip the walk to the camp store in your sandals. Cruise over, cruise back, coffee still hot.
Camp setup without the hauling. Coolers, firewood, chairs, tents — the T4 carries the stuff so you're not making four trips from the car.
Evening rides with everyone. Load up the kids, grandkids, whoever's along for the trip.
Quiet, no exhaust. It's electric, so you're not adding engine noise when your neighbors are looking for peace and quiet.
And this is important: If someone you're bringing along has a mobility issue (say a parent or grandparent), the T4 makes it easier on everyone. They can ride along, see the same lake, and be part of a trip that might not have been possible otherwise.
Valor's T4 is a street-legal Low-Speed Vehicle, which can come in especially handy if you're the type who keeps a site at the same place all season and wants your own cart parked there for good.
Planning your camping trip
📸 Credit: Hickory Hills Campground on Facebook
Hickory Hills offers a few different ways to stay, so it's worth knowing your options before you book.
Weekend and short-term sites are the most flexible option, available for a night or two at a time and popular with families testing the place out for the first time.
Seasonal sites are reserved for the whole season, mid-April through mid-October, and make up a decent chunk of the campground. A handful of sites near Rice Lake are reserved for seasonal campers only.
Cabins and cottages are available for anyone who'd rather skip the camper or tent altogether, with the same access to the pool, beach, and mini golf as the campsites.
Sites book up fast in peak season, so reserving early is worth it. Get more details here.
Good camping companions
When you’re setting up your camp crew, here are some personality types worth including:
The storyteller: this person keeps everyone at the fire an hour longer than planned, but it’s usually worth it.
The outdoors expert: they know the trail conditions, pack the first aid kit without being asked, and somehow always get the fire going on the first try. They can also bait the hook and handle the fish for less experienced anglers.
The cook: they turn a cooler of groceries into a phenomenal dinner with nothing more than a campfire or a little camp grill.
The organizer: this is the one actually checking the time and making sure the group stays on track — and gets packed up and on the road at a reasonable time on getaway day.
If you’re a serious camper, make sure to look into Valor Carts’ selection of low-speed electric vehicles — they’re designed to be the ultimate campground buddies.
This article is presented in partnership with Valor Carts.
The Batavia-based, family-owned business just released its new street-legal T4 model, which features four luxury leather seats, multiple color options, off-road tires, a 10-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, and a trailer hitch for added convenience during your outdoor adventures.
📖 Thanks for reading
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