Are you planning a camping trip to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore with your dog? We've got you covered. Find the best information on pet-friendly camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your RVing experience. Each pet-friendly campsite offers quick access to one or more of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore's most popular destinations.
Camping Drive-in Sites46 electric sites in Shipwreck Creek Campground Open seasonally, May - October. Most site parking pads are at least 70 feet long. This park does NOT have a dump station or water fill station!
Wheelchair Accessible SitesFive sites Two sites in the cart-in campground and three sites in the Shipwreck Creek Campground. Sites 110 and 203 have elevated tent pads with a ramp. Site 314 does not have an elevated tent pad, but the entire site is packed, crushed gravel - no grass.
Backpack Sites4 sites These sites range from 1/2 to 2 miles from the campground parking lot. Two of the sites are accessible from Lake Superior for use by kayakers.
Cart-in Sites20 sites These beautiful sites are all within 2,000 feet of the parking lot. Wheeled carts are available to haul gear and supplies to your campsite. These are secluded sites.
Carts are not available in the winter. A backpack or sled is recommended to haul gear during the winter months. Please call park office with questions.
**Camping within Apostle Island National Lakeshore is strictly tent camping. There is no car or RV camping within the park. All campsites within the national lakeshore must be reached by boat or sea kayak, except for the Mainland 1, 2, and 3 campsites, which can be accessed by kayak or by hiking in only.** __ Mainland camping for car & RV camping: There are a variety of state parks and private campgrounds with facilities for car and RV camping in the Bayfield area on the mainland and on Madeline Island. Visit the park's Camping in the Apostles web page and scroll to the "Local Area Camping" section. Madeline Island is not part of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The Madeline Island Ferry is a car & passenger ferry service to transport visitors to the island.________ Camping within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore: The Apostle Islands offer a unique camping experience. There are many campsites within the park, and each have their own unique characteristics to them. There are 57 individual campsites, 9 group campsites, and 17 primitive camping zones.______ NOTE: Visitors who choose to visit the islands and sleep in their personal self-contained vessel do not need a camping reservation. Public docks are available first-come, first-serve on 12 of the islands. You'll pay the overnight docking fee upon arrival. Be sure to download the Recreation.gov mobile app on your mobile device before you visit so that you can complete payment for overnight docking using scan & pay upon arrival.__ Advance reservations for camping permits are required___for camping in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Each camping permit may cover up to 14 consecutive nights.__Permit holders can not have concurrent night stays. Permit holders can only have one reservation for the same nights of camping. Permit holders are responsible for any damages. Camping permits are non-transferable. Individual campsites: These campsites are designated for groups of 1-7 people. Most sites are equipped with a fire ring, bear locker, and a picnic table. These sites are recommended for first-time primitive campers. It will give a sense of backcountry camping with the pleasantries of the amenities. They are a good way to work up to the primitive zone camping. These sites are $15 per night. Reservations can be made starting 30 days from the start of a trip.______ Group campsites: These campsites are designated for groups of 8-21 people. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, bear locker, and a picnic table. These sites are great for large families or get-togethers with friends. These sites are $30 per night. These sites can be reserved in March every year during the Group Camping Lottery and remaining sites will open after the lottery is completed.______ Primitive zone camping: These campsites are designated for groups of 1-5 people. These sites are for the truly hardcore backpackers. Primitive zone camping is not a specific site but provides the option of choosing a backcountry area to camp. This type of camping experience has NO amenities. There are specific guidelines on where to camp for this type of experience. Consult the Primitive Zone camping maps for potential landing sites and available areas.____ The following areas are closed to primitive zone camping:__ Areas excluded from primitive camping zones and closed to camping to protect sensitive natural and cultural resources.__ Area posted as closed to protect bird nesting areas and threatened or endangered species.__ Areas in view of any designated trail.__ Areas within 1/4 mile of any building, historic structure, individual or group campsite, or another camping party.__ Areas within 100 feet of a flowing stream.__ Private land or lease holdings.__ For more information or questions about your itinerary, call park staff at (715) 779-3398 extension 2, between the hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily from Memorial Day through September or Monday to Friday from October through Memorial Day.____
For facility specific information, please call (715) 779-3398.
Cancellations made prior to the reservation start date will be given a 50% refund of the use fees. Changes to the reservation will be charged a $15.00 change fee.There is a $10 reservation fee for each permit made. The $10 reservation fee is non-refundable.
$30 / night
Campground is open year round. Showers/flush toilets are open May - October
Located on the Baptism River, the campground is one and one-half miles from Lake Superior. These are secluded, well-screened sites. Eight sites are available in winter. Note: A campsite may be occupied by a group of six or fewer people using one camping shelter. Groups of six or fewer traveling in one vehicle may have one additional tent with prior approval from park staff.
$25 / night
We have 28 rustic tent and RV Sites overlooking Lake Superior, making for great Bayfield WI camping. We don't recommend RV's larger than 30 feet . Located on the waterfront, one mile north of Bayfield on Hwy. 13
Amenities:
-Heavily wooded private sites
-Apostle Islands lookout points
-Near all area attractions
-Electrical hookups
-Firewood
-Vault Toilets
-No Showers
-Showers are available at the Bayfield Recreation Facility located at 140 S. Broad St., Bayfield, WI 54814 for a fee, please call 715.779.5408 for more information.
-2 tents/site, or 1 RV/site
-No dump station
$30 / night
Beautiful public park with trails, picnic shelter, and sandy beach. Open year round. Office with bathrooms and showers open May-October. Public access to Barrier Beach and Big Bay Lagoon. 61 Site campground, reservations recommended.
$33 - $40 / night
$17 - $30 / night
There are two campgrounds, an upper and a lower campground. Some sites in the lower campground have an excellent view of the lake. Most sites are in a shaded, wooded area.
8 Mile drive off the main road. Mostly paved, some gravel, but all smooth. We had the place to ourselves. A short walk down to the waterfall. Quiet and serene, towering trees and only a few mosquitoes.
We have camped there a few times and love the accessibility to Mtn. Bike Trails and bicycle riding on the Gitche Gami State aBike Trail. Close to world class hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail and a few nice easier hikes right in the park.
We only stayed one night & I wish we could’ve stayed longer, super nice campground right on Lake Superior. We stayed in the wooded sites & those were nice & secluded
Really nice campground, our site was pretty small & very close to others so that was kind of annoying. But the bathrooms were nice & showers were really nice, overall enjoyable!
Site with fire pit (no grate), nice picnic table, and the amazing sound of waves. By late August, direct views of lake is obscured by beach grass but still just as delightful. Sites were close but our neighbors never showed so we lucked out. I loved that as a tent camper, we were placed further away from the RVs and the noises that can go with them. Site 6 was close to the path for all in the rest of the campground to get to the beacb. Nicely tended bathrooms just across the road with showers.
Wind gusts took our 8 person tent down while we were out during the day. Since it was my first time here, no idea of that kind of wind is typical or if it was the season or day.
The sunsets were unbeatable!! And we lucked out catching the northern lights our first night.
Shipwreck Creek Campground is a great new(er) addition to the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. All of the sites are large and spacious with interesting rock features and vegetation that adds to the privacy. Facilities are clean and well maintained. All sites are nice, but the loop with the “300’s” sites are the most spacious and interesting.
The shower house is a lengthy walk; not a problem but consider driving up to it if you have little with. Clean vault toilets throughout the campground are convenient.
Only bummer is the lack of dump/fill station onsite; park website directs you to fill prior to arrival at the Silver Bay city/municipal shop.
Very wooded and quiet camp area - only 3 sites total in this loop! Note that there is no cell service here or really nearby. Not an issue if you're prepared for that! Great that we could access hiking trails from camp! Great spot for exploring the Porcupines and also for some privacy compared to the modern campground in the park. Night and day difference and you can use the amenities which are like 5mins away
Very RV resort style - pretty close together sites and not a lot of privacy . There are some sites in the back loop that seem more spacious and secluded! The lakeside sites have great views though! And nice showers. We were passing thru and the FCFS campgrounds were all full so this was a fine option close to Bayfield!
Loved the view. We had a lakeside tent site. Campsites aren’t that spread out. We had a good amount of space but we could easily hear the neighbors and was annoying late at night. There are some outhouses and ADA restrooms/showers. We were 15 minutes from Meyer’s Beach, which was great. Lakeside tent sites are right by the beach. Beach was rocky - bring a pair of crocs or similar shoe if you’re sensitive to the rocks and branches in the sand. Water was cool and felt great!
This area is definitely off the beaten path. Super skinny road with lots of rocks/hills and puddles coming in. I would recommend a car with 4WD for it and would not suggest pulling a camper unless you have experience bringing it over rough terrain. The sites themselves appeared to not be visited often. I went in early August and a lot of the places were over grown with plants! It was nice to be right by the north shore but in a spot that felt very much secluded. There was also no bugs here which was amazing! Great spot to hang out by a campfire without getting swarmed. You’ll be able to find plenty of wood from the nearby trees for a fire as well.
Our first time camping in this park. We made base camp and did day hikes from there. Site 7 was near the river, the rushing water was a convenient water source, but was quite loud - this was no calming, babbling brook, lol! We didn’t see any other humans for 2 whole days, which was a plus. The site was large for 2 tents and 2 couples, the latrine was adequate and marked with a sign. We were able to find enough deadfall for firewood. Mosquitoes were horrendous, as expected. The hikes to many of the campsites are strenuous with hilly terrain, some have been washed out and it was unclear how to access some sites. We had a great time with friends. The cascade was gorgeous, and we had it all to ourselves. Unfortunately, we didn’t pack in any fishing gear. This camping trip was a great middle ground between state park camping loops and true back country.
We were at the part close to the high way. Very noisy. Facilities are clean and well maintained. Sites are note usable by tent. I barely got the tent Ankers in the ground. Mostly RV or trailers. Not that close to the beach.
The campsite was clean and well taken care of. My daughter and I tented it. It was so much fun! Just enough privacy to get a “real” camping experience, but not so private that we felt unsafe. It was so nice to not worry about bears!
We found this amazing picnic and hiking trail super close to the campgrounds in Gooseberry.
We will be back soon!
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We camped here over the 4th of July. Our site had a short trail directly to Lake Superior. We arrived mid afternoon on the 4th and there were multiple sites still available. The campground did fill up though. Some sites had grass which had not been cut in quite some time and would make it really difficult to camp, others had the grass cut. Sites had a fire pit and picnic table. The outhouse was a bit messy, but usable.
Our site overlooked Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands but was a tight fit for our 24' van. Good 30amp electric, water spigot nearby but no dump stations at park.
We stayed at Wildhurst about 20 years ago and had a great time, even got to see an mini-air show overhead with USAF F-16s out of Duluth doing maneuvers overhead. So, when the State Forest campgrounds were closed last spring for storm cleanup, we decided to take a cabin there. Not going back. The new owners are trying; I'll give them that. They're friendly, the little restaurant isn't bad, but the latrines (outhouses) really need to be rebuilt. I mean REALLY. Lime on the toilet seat. Early in the season and the biffys by our cabin were horrible smelling, (And I DO understand that they are open toilets. I was the ranger in a state forest campground for 26 years and had to clean weekly and pump out every year 12 of them.) and if the wind was wrong, we could smell it in our cabin. Cabins were smallish, but comparable to a state park camper cabin, they need updates, paint, roofing, and leveling the floors.
Wildhurst has potential. I wish it was as good as it used to be,
Great spot for camping in your vehicle. Plenty of parking. No bathrooms or water.
I stayed in the lower campground, further from the bathrooms/showers but much quieter and better views of the lake. The site was very secluded from the sides, the facilities are well kept. The hiking is beautiful and not to intense.
Camped here on Oct 23-24, 2023. Attempted to camp here 2 years before, in Sept 2021, but the campground was crowded and booked. But there were plenty of sites available during our stay this past October. Camped at site #59 which is very close to the lake and along the Gitchi-Gami State Trail. The campsite was small; included a table and fire ring. Wooded, but close to other sites. Short path in front of the site leads to the lake. Clean vault toilet was a short walk down the campground road. The campground was nice but nothing special. The state park, however, is fantastic. Hiking trails and walking paths lead to great views of the lake and Gooseberry River. There were a few park benches along lake, which provided a great view of the lake during my morning coffee break. Water and restrooms/showers in the campground were shut down for the winter season (flush toilets were available if you drive up to the visitor center). Firewood was not for sale during our visit. I would love to camp here again but during the off-season when it is less crowded.
I love this camp site! I have been here a few times. Definitely for people looking to be secluded. Lots of stairs down to the falls, but lots of great hiking trails to beautiful views.
Saw a deer walking through camp. Nearby brewery was a nice treat! Sites we stayed at were pull through sites with full hook ups. A picnic table and fire pit is provided at each campsite and we were able to stay next to friends we were traveling with (specified we would like neighboring sites when we made the reservations). Nice amount of tree cover at our sites. The road into the campground was nice and smooth. There is also a small playground, bathrooms, and sanitary dump site in the campground.
Had a spot in the lower campground right by the Lake. Showers are in the upper campground. Tent pad was great for a small tent, not sure if anything larger would fit here. Picnic table and fire ring with grate provided. The mosquitos were pretty bad when I was here in June, so be prepared with insect repellant. There is an outhouse in the lower campground. Firewood available for purcahse at the office in the upper campground; short drive or trail walk away.
The hike up there always kicks my ass! The views are so gorgeous though
This spot is pretty well hidden in the woods with a tight trail in. There are a few spots you could camp with stone firepits. Didn't look to be visited often, but I came in winter. There are low sites, and if you have 4x4, you can drive up to another plateau of sites. There's plenty of wood, but depending on location, you'll have to walk for it.
We drove through here, thinking we’d like to stay here, but decided not to. The campground is basically just an open field. It seems like this is a popular place for locals to come for fishing and hanging out on the lake. It’s really close to town, which is nice, but we just didn’t like the layout and we kept going. We saw some power pedestals in the field, and a dump station close to the main road.
We didn’t see a potable water fill area, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. Firewood available for sale across the street. Showers available for guests only.
We drove through this campground and liked it fine, it has a USFS campground feel to it. Very lush and green, lots of trees and nice individual spots. Sites are reservable online or by phone. No pay station at campground, no FCFS sites.
Cost for non-residents is $21 for the campsite and another $11 daily state park entrance fee. So, $32 for the same type of campground as a USFS at about $15. We just couldn’t justify paying that when we knew there were USFS campgrounds nearby. If you’re a resident and/or already have the annual Wisconsin state parks pass, then the cost here is pretty reasonable.
There’s a hand-pump water faucet here, vault toilets, and just outside of the campground is a dumpster and a mixed recycling bin. Each site has a picnic table and fire grill and a cool log bench.
Camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin, offers a mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and unique experiences. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from, each with its own charm.
Camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 68 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?
TheDyrt.com has all 104 dog-friendly camping locations near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with real photos and reviews from campers.
