The Banks Lake area offers camping options in a shrub steppe environment at approximately 1,500 feet elevation. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F between June and August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with less crowding. The area features columnar basalt formations and deep coulees carved by Ice Age floods.
What to do
Hiking Steamboat Rock Trail: Access this 650-foot climb directly from Bay Loop Campground. "We hiked part of the ways up but didnt go all the way," notes Myresa J., who enjoyed the trail access from camp. For hot weather hiking, timing matters: "The first 1/3 of the hike was more moderate with steep trails and scree, but it gets easier once you're past that," explains Lisa B.
Fishing for walleye and bass: Banks Lake supports diverse fish populations. At Coulee Playland Resort, "They sell everything from ice cream cones to any type of fishing tackle you could possibly need. They also rent pontoon boats, jet ski's, and 12 to 16 foot boats with engines," writes Craig L. Donald C. confirms "fishing was fair for walleye, bass" during his stay at Bay Loop.
Seasonal boating options: Water activities range from kayaking to motorized boating. "We kayaked to a boat in campsite with my friend and made camp on a sandy beach beneath the boat," shares Katrina R. about her experience at Bay Loop. For dedicated boaters, Jim J. recommends Sage Loop: "Nice clean well maintained park with lots of access to the water," though he notes beach access sites often get crowded.
What campers like
Dark night skies for stargazing: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional viewing conditions. At Dune Loop Campground, Erica B. shares: "My favorite thing is the clear skies at night, so I can lay in my tent and watch for falling stars." Similarly, at Jones Bay, one camper noted "the stars were absolutely incredible to see at night when all the lights were out! Not a lot of trees around so you could see the whole sky!"
Waterfront access: Many campgrounds offer direct lake frontage. "The site we stayed at was on the water with a sandy beach. This site would be A-1 for summer fun," writes Robert D. about Barker Canyon. For swimming, Myresa J. describes Bay Loop: "We walked over to a nice sandy beach and kids walked aways into water before it got deep. The beach was nice and sandy."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal encounters enhance camping experiences. "We hung out, hiked, fished, and enjoyed the deer, pheasant and wild turkeys wandering the grounds," reports Shay F. who camped at Bay Loop in cooler weather. Another camper at Bay Loop mentioned: "There were wild turkeys that walked right into our camp."
What you should know
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Some areas offer more seclusion than others. At Spring Canyon Campground, Susan C. describes: "Literally three terraced asphalt parking lots with a large swath of grass and well spaced trees for some shade between each section. Absolutely no privacy." For more isolation, consider Barker Canyon where Jayme B. reports: "There was so much room and we weren't anywhere near other people."
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Lake depth affects beach access and boat launches. "The water level was low so there was plenty of shore space to sit and walk," notes Shelly S. about Sage Loop in late season. This seasonal variation impacts both swimming and fishing opportunities.
Weather extremes require planning: Summer heat can be intense. "Personally, I'd be wary of tent camping in the summer here because it gets very hot," warns Graham C. about Bay Loop. For cooler options, JP C. suggests: "We went there at the beginning of October and the weather was quite nice. It would probably be too hot for us during the summer."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds have dedicated children's areas. "Snack shack and playground for kids, with paved trails to connect all the loops," mentions Erica B. about Dune Loop. Another parent observed that Bay Loop is "very popular with families with young children, so be prepared to have kids whizzing around on their scooters at all hours of the day."
Sandy beach areas: Look for campsites with gradual water entry points. According to Myresa J., Bay Loop offers "a nice sandy beach and kids walked aways into water before it got deep," making it safer for younger swimmers. The day use area at Spring Canyon Group Site offers "amazing water, boat launch and awesome campsites and pull in sites with amazing views," according to one reviewer.
Shoulder season benefits: Consider September visits for dog friendly campgrounds near Electric City. Christi R. recommends: "We have started camping here in September instead of August like we used to because we've discovered the weather is much more pleasant and it is a lot less busy." This timing works particularly well for families with pets who need cooler conditions.
Tips from RVers
Cabin options for comfort: Air conditioning makes cabins attractive during hot months. "The cabins are air-conditioned, comfortable, and clean. There's a fridge, a picnic table, a fire pit, and your own personal patch of pristine kelly-green lawn," recommends Shawn B. about Bay Loop's accommodations. Jill R. agrees: "We went here during the summertime and the cabins were just awesome they have a little AC unit in there which made it great to relax."
Site selection for length constraints: Larger RVs face limitations at some pet-friendly campgrounds. At Spring Canyon, "RV sites are two vehicles wide and very short. My 24' tongue-to-tail trailer was fine but anything over 30' is a no go," warns Susan C. For bigger rigs, consider Cove Loop Campground where Jerrell W. notes: "Although there is no mature trees the spaces are quite large so your neighbors are not within earshot."
Utility management: Plan for varying hookup availability. "Showers were 50 cents for every three minutes and I managed to do a three-minute shower!" reports Lee D. about Bay Loop facilities. At Spring Canyon during off-season, a camper noted: "After October 1, the water was off, no garbage, and flush toilet restrooms were closed."
Legend
