Wisconsin Furs Bonfire Meet

The Wisconsin Furs Bonfire Meet is a free, recurring furry campout around a campfire at Marsh Haven Nature Center, just east of Waupun in central Wisconsin. It runs on one weekend a month through the summer and early autumn, and people come for an evening by the fire or pitch a tent and stay the night. The organizers call it Wisconsin's longest-running furry bonfire meetup, founded in 2015. The final meet of the 2026 season was scheduled from 4pm on Friday, October 16 to noon on Sunday, October 18.

What to Expect

Most people set up camp around the main pavilion and campground, where food is cooked over the public fire pit. The staff usually provide hot dogs, brats, burgers and soft drinks, and the rest of the food is shared potluck style, so bring your own meals and something to pass around if you like. No alcohol is served, so drinks are bring your own, and the rules ask you not to share alcohol with anyone under 21. A fursuit photoshoot is held on Saturday at 6pm unless the Telegram group announces another time.

The nature center sits inside the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area and has about three miles of hiking trails, a sightseeing tower and indoor restrooms. The nature center's own staff sometimes run classroom sessions about local wildlife for the group. Pets that are well trained may roam the campground, but they must be leashed beyond it.

Everyone must be 18 or older. House rules ask for quiet after 10pm, keep suggestive clothing and kink items to the hours between 8pm and 6am, and bans fireworks.

How to Get Tickets

There are no tickets and no entry fee. From 2026 every attendee has to register once per season, which is free, and then collect a badge at the registration desk inside the Nature Center building. Your badge number stays the same all year, so bring it to every meet. The staff do not take formal donations, but cash tips are welcome.

Updates, meal plans and any schedule changes are posted in the official Telegram group. The July 2026 meet was called off at two days' notice because of wildfire smoke and a high fire risk, so check the group before you drive out.

How to Get There

Marsh Haven Nature Center is at W10145 State Hwy 49, Waupun, WI 53963, about three miles east of Waupun. The organizers put it at roughly a 55-minute drive from Madison, 52 minutes from Appleton and 70 minutes from Milwaukee, with Chicagoland about two and a half hours away. The nearest Amtrak station is Columbus, about 30 minutes from the campground by car.

Park in the main lot: overnight campers on the left, day visitors on the right, and ADA spaces closer to the pavilion. You can unload by the pavilion for up to 15 minutes, and the speed limit on the property is 10mph.

For the night, you can bring your own tent, take one of 26 first-come bunks in the unheated Dommisse Lodge with your own bedding, or book the hotel about five minutes away. Sleeping in cars and inside the Nature Center building is not allowed. Small and medium trailers can use the campground if there is room, but there are no hookups.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Wisconsin Furs Bonfire Meet?

The last meet on the 2026 schedule was set for 4pm on Friday, October 16 to noon on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The organizers publish each new season's dates on their schedule page.

Does it cost anything to attend?

No. Attendance is free and always has been, but you must register for the season on the website and wear your badge at every meet.

Is the Bonfire Meet 18+?

Yes. The Bonfire rules state that it is an 18+ event and that no minors are permitted.

Where do I sleep?

You can camp in your own tent, use one of the 26 first-come bunks in the Dommisse Lodge, or stay at a nearby hotel. Bring a pillow, blankets and something soft to sleep on, plus warm layers, because nights at the later meets get cold.

Can I wear my fursuit?

Yes. There is a fursuit group photoshoot on Saturday at 6pm, and the campground map on the website marks the photo area.