3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Apostle Islands Area Campground and Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping both provide upscale outdoor stays with glamping accommodations including yurts and specialized canvas structures. These sites maintain a rustic feel while offering comfort-focused amenities like furnished sleeping areas, electricity, and nearby restroom facilities. The sites are staggered with trees surrounding camping areas, providing privacy despite their popularity. One guest shared, "The couple that runs the campground is the nicest couple and helpful. The tent area seemed more dispersed and each camping area has quite a few trees surrounding to make the campgrounds seem smaller." Glamping visitors appreciate the combination of natural surroundings with essential comforts, placing them minutes from Lake Superior's shoreline and the town of Bayfield.
Visitors exploring from these luxury outdoor stays have exceptional access to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore's attractions. Kayaking opportunities abound for guests wanting to explore the chain of 21 islands with their sea caves, historic lighthouses, and secluded beaches. According to a recent visitor, "We kayaked to many campgrounds and islands in the national lakeshore, paddling a total of 60 miles we were able to make it to 3 different island campgrounds." The glamping domes and pods serve as ideal base camps for day trips, situated approximately 1.5 miles from Bayfield's restaurants, ferry services, and local breweries. During summer months, guests can easily access seasonal events at the nearby Chautauqua grounds using the designated shuttle stop, avoiding traffic and parking concerns.
"It is close to the ferry dock, restaurants, parks and beaches. All sites are electric and water and some are full hook up. There are cabins and tent sites as well. "
"There is bike rental at Howl bike shop which is walking distance. Howl also has a brewery with outside seating. The camp ground itself is quiet and clean."
Available this weekend
from $15 - $30 / night
"We stayed in site 36 and found it to be spacious and close enough to the playground and bathrooms for our kids to run down on their own. The staff was kind and helpful."
"Staff really friendly and helpful. Nice trees around sites. Sites were close but we still found it pretty quiet. Good location to go in to town. Would definitely return."
from $25 - $35 / night
"If you are looking for real out door experience with no common amenities except running water this is the place for you. Enjoy amazing waterfalls, rugged camping and gorgeous lake Superior sunsets..."
"Great location, and has the basics for the camping. I was in site 44, and most of the sites in the "middle" were more of an open field with a couple of trees. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
"Very nice park with several new lots that are all grass with water and electric. Several lots are full hookup."
"The bar & grill have a decent menu and the thin crust pizza was yummy."
"There are many miles of trails that can be ridden on horseback. It is a very clean campground especially if you want a quiet place. Also spacious campsites."
"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."
"Nice clean bathroom and great showers that have an extra DRY SPACE and a chair to change into fresh dry clothes. Campground is well maintained, sites in the woods are spaced apart."
"After driving up from Chicago, checking in, and then driving to Little Carp River Road, finally ready to hike at 4pm."
"Campsite LS-14 had a lovely location on the lake, but was very muddy/previously submerged with water. It immediately abuts site LS-13."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $140 / night
"this campground was nice, clean, decent size sites with pressurized water throughout the park, a few sites with nice Lake Superior view, is up on a ridge so can’t actually access water from the campground"
"This campground is one of the best in/near the Ottawa National Forest. Sites are large and there are lots of trees creating privacy. We loved the hiking trails surrounding the area!"
"It is less than a mile to Lake Michigan. We would stay there again if we were in the area."
from $15 - $20 / night
"Laundry and market in Ironwood are decent."
"There is a trash dumpster here, and even a recycling bin, a nice surprise. There is potable water at the campground (per note at spigot water is safe to drink but will leave rust residue)."
TravelerBeautiful, quiet campground with a true wilderness feel. The three nearby waterfalls are a must-see, and make sure to spend some time exploring the riverbed around them—it was one of the highlights of our stay. Great location for hiking, scenery, and enjoying the natural side of the Porcupine Mountains.
LegendQuiet spot but no drinking water. Had to go back to Bessemer but found a spring to get water. A local showed me after asking at ace hardware. Great hiking to some waterfalls but some were closed.
TravelerWe had two nights here in two different spots. Price is a little high but it does include utilities which is nice. Most spots are 2 night minimum unless you’re filling a gap between reservations which is what we did and it was great. Staff really friendly and helpful. Nice trees around sites. Sites were close but we still found it pretty quiet. Good location to go in to town. Would definitely return.
TravelerThis campground was very clean and beautiful. It's a great place to stay with a family. We stayed in site 36 and found it to be spacious and close enough to the playground and bathrooms for our kids to run down on their own. The staff was kind and helpful.
GuideThe sites are fairly close but most offer privacy. Laundry and market in Ironwood are decent.
TravelerBeautiful location on the shore of Lake Superior. Clean restrooms and showers. Friendly hosts. Highly recommend.
GuideThe campground owner/hosts were very friendly and helpful during our five night stay. Two Harbors is a good provisioning and jumping off point for exploring the North Shore area south of Grand Marais. Some shade but mostly sunny pull through camp sites worked well in the cool Minnesota evenings. You can save $5 a night if you only need 30-Amp electric and water.
GuideThis is a nice enough campground but I am honestly disappointed. The website describes lots of amenities, which is why I booked this campground, however, everything is extra cost in addition to nightly rate— including mini-golf. The entire campground is in the side of a mountain and there are no flat roads, which makes biking and walking a workout rather than leisure. We will check out Buffalo Bay next time.
GuideGreat campground with swimming hole & great access to Bayside for island ferry’s! Complaints: Park is located on the side of a hill—Spots are small but level, roads are all at a slope. Not a great campground for kiddos to ride their bikes, and not super fun to walk uphill in every direction. The campground also charges you $5-7 per person to play mini-golf… which is odd, since it is advertised as a campground amenity on the website.
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 glamping camping locations near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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