Seasonal camping options near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore range from shoreline tent sites to full-service RV parks. Weather conditions can shift rapidly along Lake Superior's southern shore, with summer temperatures averaging 65-75°F during peak camping months of June through September. The region features a diverse mix of hardwood forests and rugged shoreline with campsites available across multiple access points.
What to do
Kayak island-hopping tours: Several campgrounds offer convenient base locations for multi-day paddling trips. One visitor at Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping shared, "Apostle Islands is part of a 21 islands chain at the northern tip of Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. On the mainland, the Lakeshore Trail weaves past cliffs and sea caves."
Waterfalls exploration: Located within an hour's drive, the western Upper Peninsula offers impressive waterfall viewing. A camper at Ottawa National Forest Black River Harbor Campground described it as "Black River Harbor is one of the Top Ten most beautiful places in the United States... Five named waterfalls that are simply amazing, each awe inspiring along with several hidden un-named falls."
Winter yurt stays: For cold-weather adventurers, yurt camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore provides shelter during snowy months. A visitor to Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping noted, "Yurts and Cabins available. Definitely Seasonal. The road is not plowed completely in winter."
What campers like
Easy ferry access: Campers appreciate proximity to Madeline Island ferry services. A guest at Apostle Islands Area Campground reported, "Location is great if you're looking to do some exploring. I highly recommend doing some sort of tour of the Apostle Islands by boat and taking the ferry to Madeline Island."
Lakeside camping spots: Direct Lake Superior shoreline access ranks high among visitor preferences. A camper at Lamb's Resort shared, "The smooth pebble beach is fantastic. Our dogs loved running up and down the beach and playing on the shore."
Fall color viewing: September and October provide spectacular foliage viewing opportunities. One visitor commented, "We camped at Presque Isle in the Porkies for a long weekend in October. The color change was amazing! This campground is rustic with only vault toilets and no hookups."
What you should know
Backcountry site reservations: Wilderness camping rules changed recently for some areas. A visitor to Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping advised, "Starting with the 2018 season, the backcountry campsites must be reserved in advance. Campsites have bear poles and fire pits."
Wildlife encounters: Bears frequent certain camping areas. A camper reported, "We had a wonderful weekend there and saw a few black bears. And one even meandered through our camp site."
Limited bathroom facilities: Many sites operate with basic amenities only. A camper at Frontier RV Park and Campground noted, "Very nice park with several new lots that are all grass with water and electric. Several lots are full hookup. There is not a true dump station, only a spot near the bathroom that you can pull up to dump."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Family-friendly campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. A visitor commented, "Large playground, biking, hiking" when describing Frontier RV Park's family amenities.
Swimming access points: Designated beach areas provide safer swimming options. According to a camper at Lamb's Resort, "We had a wonderful time at Lamb's Resort on our way back from Thunder Bay! The owners were available for questions and our site was perfect! We stayed at site 49, which was a short walk to the beach. Our boys, age 5 and 3, spent hours throwing rocks in the lake."
Trout fishing for beginners: Small lakes allow for easier fishing experiences. One camper stated, "Wanoka is a quiet campground just off the Hwy 2. It has a nice little trout pond and is a good place to teach the younger kids fishing skills."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Uneven terrain makes some campgrounds difficult for larger rigs. A visitor to Wanoka Lake Campground reported, "Some sites are pull through. A few are level, but most would be difficult for us to get level enough to be comfortable."
Low-clearance issues: Tree branches can cause problems for taller vehicles. The same RVer continued, "Roads are narrow and the low hanging branches scraped along the top and sides of our rig, but no damage."
Full-hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete services for extended stays. A camper at Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping shared, "This is a private campground that fills up quick. All sites are electric and water and some are full hook up. There are cabins and tent sites as well."
