Camp Douglas, Wisconsin 54618
Home of Volk Field & Camp Williams: Homes, Schools & Small-Town Living | Liz Walker, REMAX RealPros
Updated November 2026
Camp Douglas is a small village of 647 residents (2020 Census) in western Juneau County, right next to Volk Field Air National Guard Base and Camp Williams, home of the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Set along I-90/94 among the sandstone bluffs of Mill Bluff State Park, it’s a natural fit for Guard members, airmen, and civilian base employees who want to live minutes from work. Camp Douglas is also about 25 minutes from Fort McCoy and 15 minutes from Tomah, and is served by the Tomah Area School District.
Median Home Value
(ZIP 54618)
To Volk Field & Camp Williams
To Fort McCoy
Effective Property Tax Rate
(ZIP 54618)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates for ZIP 54618 (home value: 2020–2024; property tax: 2019–2023).
🎖️ Living Next to Volk Field & Camp Williams
Home of the Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center, one of only four Air National Guard combat readiness training centers in the country, and the 128th Air Control Squadron. The base was named in 1957 for 1st Lt. Jerome A. Volk, the first Wisconsin Air National Guard pilot killed in combat in the Korean War.
Volk Field →The Wisconsin Army National Guard’s training site, which began in 1888 as a state rifle range. During World War I, thousands of Guard troops assembled here for what became the 32nd Division, many seen off by families at the Camp Douglas depot.
Fort McCoy, Wisconsin’s only Army installation, is about 25 minutes west, and the Tomah VA Medical Center is about 15 minutes away.
Tomah Relocation Guide →Buying a Home on Military Orders
VA loans: Most eligible service members and veterans can buy with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. Camp Douglas also falls in a rural area where USDA zero-down loans may be available.
Walk to work, or close to it: Living in the village puts you minutes from the base gate, with no interstate commute.
Plan for your next move: Steady demand from Guard, Reserve, and civilian base personnel means a well-chosen home can become a rental if you receive orders elsewhere.
Veterans’ property tax credit: Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating, or 100% based on individual unemployability, who meet Wisconsin residency rules may qualify for a refundable credit equal to 100% of property taxes paid on their home. See full details on the Tomah page →
What to Expect Living Near an Active Air Base
Volk Field is a working training base, and buyers often ask about aircraft noise. Day-to-day flying varies, but the biggest event is Northern Lightning, an annual two-week joint training exercise that brings roughly 50 aircraft and nearly 1,000 personnel from the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and National Guard to Volk Field, usually in May or August.
During the exercise, residents across central Wisconsin can expect more aircraft activity and noise, typically during set daytime training windows, and occasional sonic booms. The Wisconsin National Guard announces dates in advance and provides a noise comment line at (608) 427-1260.
Tip: If noise is a concern, visit a home you’re considering during a weekday morning, and ask Liz about how close a property is to the runway and flight paths.
💰 Camp Douglas Housing Market
Camp Douglas is one of the most affordable markets near the bases. The Census median home value in the 54618 ZIP code is $168,800, up $28,900 since 2019, and about 81% of homes are owner-occupied. Inside the village, the median home value is about $131,600, and the village is one of the youngest communities in the area, with a median age of about 25.
Buyers: Expect a mix of older village homes, starter homes, and country properties with acreage in the surrounding area. With few homes for sale at any time, it pays to have an agent watching for new listings.
Sellers: Buyers tied to Volk Field and Camp Williams keep demand steady. Spring and summer, when many military moves happen, can bring the most buyers.
🎓 Schools
Unlike most of Juneau County, Camp Douglas is served by the Tomah Area School District, with about 3,050 students in 12 schools. Younger students attend a paired-school program between Oakdale Elementary and Camp Douglas Elementary, and older students attend Tomah Middle School and Tomah High School, about 15 minutes away.
Tomah Area School District’s elementary school in the village.
Enrollment, transportation, and district information
📜 History of Camp Douglas
Camp Douglas began as a railroad town in the 1860s. James Douglas set up a lumber camp here to cut wood for the steam locomotives passing through, and the settlement took the name of his camp. The village was laid out in 1870 and grew into a busy railroad crossroads, incorporating in 1893 with about 330 residents.
In 1888, the Wisconsin National Guard bought land just north of town for a rifle range, the beginning of today’s Camp Williams and Volk Field. The Guard’s presence shaped village life for more than a century, and many people still confuse the village with the military facilities next door. Like many small towns, Camp Douglas was hit hard by the Great Depression, school consolidation, and the rise of big chain stores, but it has carried on with a strong spirit of community service.
🌲 Things to Do
Right at the edge of the village. Climb stone steps to the top of Mill Bluff for panoramic views of sandstone bluffs that were once islands in Glacial Lake Wisconsin, plus camping and a swimming pond.
At Volk Field, housed in a restored 1896 log lodge, with exhibits on the Wisconsin National Guard from the 1800s to today and outdoor aircraft displays.
A 12.5-mile rail-trail from Camp Douglas to Elroy, opened in 1992 on the old Chicago & North Western line. It passes through the village of Hustler and an 875-foot tunnel, one of only a few trail tunnels in Wisconsin, and connects in Elroy with the Elroy-Sparta and 400 State Trails. Open to snowmobiles in winter. A state trail pass is required for riders 16 and older.
The striking sandstone tower beside I-90/94 just outside the village, one of the area’s most photographed landmarks.
The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, Castle Rock Lake, and Buckhorn State Park are all within about 30 minutes.
Public camping, Whitetail Ridge Ski Area, and trout fishing about 25 minutes west.
🛒 Shopping & Services
Camp Douglas has a handful of local businesses, and full shopping, dining, and healthcare are about 15 minutes away in Tomah and New Lisbon.
Convenience store and fuel stop in the village, and a place to buy state trail passes for the Omaha Trail.
Known for its Friday fish fry, plus axe throwing and bowling. A local favorite for a night out.
Local bar and gathering spot in the village.
Village government, services, and local history
County services, property records, and parks
📍 Location & Map
- About 5 minutes to Volk Field and Camp Williams
- About 15 minutes to Tomah and New Lisbon, and 20 minutes to Mauston
- About 25 minutes to Fort McCoy and 45 minutes to Wisconsin Dells
Your Camp Douglas Real Estate Agent
Liz Walker, Broker Associate, REALTOR®, REMAX RealPros
512 Gateway Ave, Mauston, WI 53948 · 608-547-5301
- 2025 Top Agent in Mauston, RealTrends and FastExpert, and 2025 REMAX 100% Club
- 235 career transactions and 31 five-star reviews
- ABR® (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), SFR®, and C2EX designations
- Experienced helping military families buy from a distance and on a PCS timeline
❓ Camp Douglas FAQ
Is Camp Douglas the same as Volk Field?
No. Camp Douglas is a village in Juneau County. Volk Field Air National Guard Base and Camp Williams sit right next to the village, and many people use the names interchangeably.
What school district serves Camp Douglas?
Camp Douglas is served by the Tomah Area School District, including Camp Douglas Elementary in the village and Tomah Middle and High Schools.
What is the median home value in Camp Douglas, WI?
The Census median home value is $168,800 in the 54618 ZIP code and about $131,600 inside the village (2020–2024).
Is there jet noise in Camp Douglas from Volk Field?
Yes, at times. Volk Field is an active training base, and noise is heaviest during Northern Lightning, an annual two-week exercise usually held in May or August. The Wisconsin National Guard announces exercise dates in advance and offers a noise comment line at (608) 427-1260.
Where does the Omaha Trail start in Camp Douglas?
The Omaha Trail’s Camp Douglas trailhead has parking at 231 Washburn St. The 12.5-mile trail runs south through Hustler and an 875-foot tunnel to Elroy.
How far is Camp Douglas from Fort McCoy?
Camp Douglas is about 25 minutes east of Fort McCoy and about 15 minutes from Tomah.
Who is a real estate agent for military families near Volk Field?
Liz Walker of REMAX RealPros helps military families buy in Camp Douglas, Tomah, New Lisbon, and Mauston. She was named a 2025 Top Agent in Mauston by RealTrends and FastExpert and has 235 career transactions.
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Stationed at Volk Field or Camp Williams?
Contact Liz Walker, REMAX RealPros, for a relocation consultation, virtual tours, and help finding the right home near base before you arrive.
Search Available Homes Call or Text 608-547-5301