Best RV Parks & Resorts near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Several RV-friendly campgrounds surround Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, though the national lakeshore itself doesn't have RV camping directly within its boundaries. The nearby campgrounds accommodate RVs up to 45 feet long on level gravel or concrete pads. Most RV sites in the area provide either 30-amp or 50-amp electrical service, with many offering water hookups as well. Dump stations are available at the larger campgrounds, though you might need to drive a few miles from smaller sites to find one. The main access roads to campgrounds near the islands are paved and wide enough for bigger rigs, but some of the campground roads can be narrower with tight turns. Quiet hours typically run from 10 PM to 7 AM, with generator use restricted to daytime hours at most places. Each site typically comes with a fire ring and picnic table, and most are spaced far enough apart to give you some privacy. Cell service varies throughout the area - stronger near Bayfield and spotty in more remote campgrounds. The closest places to buy supplies are in Bayfield and Washburn, where you'll find gas, groceries, and basic RV supplies. Because the camping season is relatively short (May through October), the better RV sites fill up quickly, especially for July and August weekends. From most RV parks, you're within a 15-minute drive of the Bayfield ferry dock, where you can take day trips to the islands.

Best RV Sites Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (76)

    1. Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping

    23 Reviews
    Bayfield, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 779-3397

    $30 / night

    "This is a  private campground that fills up quick.    It is 1 mile from Bayfield town center.  It is close to the ferry dock, restaurants, parks and beaches. "

    "This is a private campground located a few miles south of Bayfield. It is oriented towards RV camping but also has tent sites."

    2. Shipwreck Creek Campground — Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

    6 Reviews
    Beaver Bay, MN
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (218) 595-7625

    "There is no dump station. Newer campground with nice roads and good spots. Nice shower houses. 50 amp hook ups. Plenty of trails and activities nearby."

    "Huge private sites with wildflowers all around you made for a beautiful stay! Great location for exploring the north shore. The sites have electric hook ups and the shower facilities were very clean."

    3. Frontier RV Park and Campground

    7 Reviews
    Saxon, WI
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 893-2461

    "Pull through, full hookups, and a great view of the sky. Has a bar, and, gas/diesel. If your looking for a spot to ATV its"

    "Nice level gravel pads, some have full hookups . Ok for a one night stopover."

    4. Dalrymple Park and Campground

    17 Reviews
    Bayfield, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 779-5712

    $30 / night

    "Dalrymple was just minutes away from Bayfield, and boat rides away from the Apostle Islands and Madeline Island."

    "Some spots are tight with an RV, I’d suggest walking the loop before driving around. Close to town, very clean, we will be back. Great cell signal."

    5. Kreher RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Ashland, WI
    24 miles
    Website

    $45 - $50 / night

    "There was steady traffic of disappointed RVs driving through the grounds till 6-7pm.

    Water and electric sites only with a dump station on site."

    "This is a municipal park, right on the shores of Lake superior. A beautiful little park, with a great playground and a boat launch. Each site has a picnic table fire pit and grill."

    6. Alpine Campground & RV Park

    9 Reviews
    Wakefield, MI
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 667-0737

    $20 - $40 / night

    "Right next to Black River. Sites sit back from highway so easy access and quiet. Open year round. Showers. Owner is friendly and very helpful."

    "Clean facilities. There is plenty of space in between camping or RV spots. If your looking for a place that isn't crammed packed full of people this is it."

    7. Buffalo Bay Campground

    8 Reviews
    Bayfield, WI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 779-3712

    $45 / night

    "The campground is also run by and adjacent to the Red Cliff Casino Hotel, so that has pluses and minuses depending on how you feel about being so close to a hotel and casino."

    "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!"

    8. Silver Bay RV Parking

    1 Review
    Silver Bay, MN
    35 miles
    Website

    "This is a small lot for RV parking on the way to the scenic overlook. There’s a dump station and hose for fresh water down the hill."

    9. Birch Grove Campground

    4 Reviews
    Washburn, WI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 373-2878

    $8 - $15 / night

    "The area campgrounds are usually in the forest with bad solar, but this one is by a lake and I had GREAT solar days. I was able to keep my battery charged."

    "This was a small campground but nice sites on the water with outhouses near by. $15 per night. Very nice fire rings but lack of firewood for sale anywhere near by. Lots of thorns in the brush."

    10. Apostle Islands Area Campground

    5 Reviews
    Bayfield, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 779-5524

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Close to town. Very reasonable. Quiet . Well be back. This is a great area to go to so much to see and do."

    "Great 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."

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RV Park Reviews near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

702 Reviews of 76 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Campgrounds


  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Big Bay State Park Campground

    Nice Experience and some very nice sites

    Big Bay State Park Campground, WI: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Ferry Ride: $110 round trip with a 17’ trailer Overall Rating: 3.5 Price 2023: About $20 to $30 Usage during visit: Very full Site Privacy: Loop 1 - 29 Great site privacy. Loop 30 -60 some good sites. The overall privacy not as good. Site Spacing: Loop 1 - 30: Great. Loop 31- 60: Good Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: People noise while here. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Some sites Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Check out the campground map . The dump is on the way to the airport.
    Potable Water Available: Yes, at the bathrooms Generators: Not specified. We used a low noise generator. Bathroom: Clean pit toilets and flush toilets in the showroom.
    Showers: One centrally located.
    Pull Throughs: Mostly, if not all are back in. Cell Service (AT&T): Sporadic Setting: In a pine forest Weather: Highs are 70’s Bugs: Some mosquitoes. I think they are decreasing. Have bug spray if you hike. Solar: No Host: They are short a host Rig size: Rigs I’ve seen are under 35’ Sites: The sites in Loop 1 - 30 is the best loop, are most all very private. Loop30 - 60: Not as private. Site 42 has no under brush between site and parking for tent walk in sites. Other than that, pretty good. Sites 48, ad 50 are the absolute least private sites. Trailer sites in Loop 30 - 60 are generally not as deep and thus less site privacy than Loop 1 - 30. (35 - 41 are walk in tent sites,)

  • Mai K.
    Jul. 7, 2019

    Dalrymple Park and Campground

    Camp Next to Lake Superior

    Oh thank goodness, we camped out at Dalrymple Park and Campground in Bayfield, WI as supposed to our original reservation at a boring campground in Cornucopia, WI. Dalrymple was just minutes away from Bayfield, and boat rides away from the Apostle Islands and Madeline Island. There are 28 sites surrounded by canopies of trees and there are wooded fences along the sides next to Lake Superior. It was a perfect spot to settle in for camping. Some sites were drive-in and others were back-ins perfect for RVs under 30 feet. Camping is $25 a night for 2 vehicles or 1 RV for each site. There is a fire ring, picnic table, electric hook-up, and a stump to cut some firewood at each site. Bathrooms are vault toilets and are walking distance. There were plenty of FREE firewood piles near the entrance. Cell-signal was strong for Verizon. A few of the back-in sites were steep but spacious and the drive-in sites were a bit small. It is a family-friendly campground. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash. The mosquitoes were pretty active so bring your repellant or citronella to ward them off. The view was great, but the noise level at night was a damper. We had a rowdy camper who had no consideration or camping etiquette when it's past 10:00 pm. The campground itself was overall wonderful.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 31, 2023

    Wanoka Lake Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Standard USFS campground

    Typical USFS campground in the Chequamegon NF. First come first served, self pay, no host, very green and lush and private sites.

    $15/night. Some sites are pull through. A few are level, but most would be difficult for us to get level enough to be comfortable. Not sure of the length limit here but we had no problems in our 26ft class c. Roads are narrow and the low hanging branches scraped along the top and sides of our rig, but no damage. 

    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). Vault toilets here as well. 

    The lake is nice and peaceful and small, and bugs/mosquitos weren’t too bad. There’s a little dock at the lake but you can’t drive your boat down, you have to carry it on foot. 

    Surprisingly decent Verizon and ATT service. Hardly anybody here. Beautiful and quiet and serene.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2023

    Namekagon Lake Campground

    It’s All About The Water and Access

    Namekagon: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4. Great water access campground . No trails right at the campground, but for a cross coin ski trail just past the cg entrance. We were here to visit Croix NWW - a bit of a drive from the cg.
    Price 2023: non-electric sites are $11 per night w Lifetime Senior Pass. Usage during visit: Full on weekends Site Spacing/Privacy: Some sites are very close. I listed the best sites for privacy and spaciousness. Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes. Looks like up to two days out is first come, first serve. Campground Noise: Not bad. Lake noice is minimal as well. Road Noise: Even the sites close to the Missionary Point Dr. do not seem to experience too much traffic noise.
    Through Traffic in campground: Just down the middle to the lake boat ramp. And that’s not too bad.
    Electric Hookup: Some, not all sites. Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes.
    Generators: Allowed during the day.
    Bathroom: Pit toilets are kept extremely clean Showers: None. Pull Throughs: Some Cell Service (AT&T): One bar in some areas of cg. Setting: Under a deciduous tree forest. Weather: 70 and 90 degree days . Hot days were particularly humid.
    Bugs: Mosquitoes galore. Solar: Most sites are very shady.
    Host: Yes Rig size: All rigs I see are under 30’ Sites: Lakeside Sites: 13, 14, 17, 19

    BEST non-water side sites: rated for spaciousness and a bit more private :11, 9, 8, 7, 3, 34, 30, 32, 31, 33, 29,28, 27,26, 25, 10. Not in any particular order

  • Scott M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2020

    Burlington Bay Campground

    Big Rig Paradise

    This campground is adjacent to the Burlington Bay Campground. It has 3 rows of 11 sites meant for full hookup and big rigs. They are terraced so sites 24-34 are on the top while 1-12 are closest to the water and on the bottom of the hill.

    This is specifically meant for big rigs. No shade and no privacy unless you are inside. What they do offer is great facilities and an amazing view! There is also a community feel here where everyone most likely talks to each other and knows each other by the end of their stay. At the bottom of the hill is the waterfront. You can do a lot from here.

    You can rent for $45.00 per night or $276.00 per week. Sites are packed graves so they are level and easy in and out with your rig. Wouldn’t want to tent camp here. They have a nice shower house and dump stations as would be needed for big rigs. It is newer than the additional campground and still close to Lake Superior.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Big Bay State Park Campground

    Spacious wooded sites, but little privacy

    Sites are fairly large and have lots of trees and woods surrounding them. You get a handicap picnic table and fire pit with grate at each site. Big rig friendly. Saw a motorhome so you can fit and you can get on the ferry over!! There is one bathroom with showers and the rest are vault toilets. There is a hiking trail right out of the campground and biking is an option too!

  • Jill B.
    Jun. 26, 2019

    Big Bay Town Park

    Woodsy Get Away

    Big Bay Town Park We enjoyed our stay on Madeline Island towards the end of June. We stayed in in a travel trailer with our dog on the“modern” side which has electric service and is on the other side of the road from the office. The campsites on the lake side are rustic only. The modern sites are secluded with a good buffer of woods between them. Nice privacy. 

    There is no WiFi or cell service, however there is good WiFi at the office. 

    There are 30/50 amp hookups, a picnic table and a pad for a tent. There are 2 bathroom facilities with water spigots. The bathrooms are new and well maintained. There is a pretty trail that connects the 2 bathroom buildings. Unfortunately, the shower house is across the road in the office building.$1.75/3 Minutes. 

    The staff was very friendly and made sure we had all the information to enjoy our time on the island. Since the weather was pretty rainy, there weren’t a lot of people on the island, so it was very quiet. There were only 4 other campers in modern side, and a few tents on the other side. 

    The only thing that was kind of a bummer is that we brought our own kayak, but there really wasn’t a good way to carry the kayak down the many steps to the beach. The park has kayaks for rent on the honor system at the beach. The park parking lot is on a bluff above the beach with steps leading down to the water. The beach was nice to walk on. Our dog loved it. We only ate in town once, but the food was fantastic.

  • Annette Q.
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Lamb's Resort

    One of my Favorite Places on the North Shore

    We camp here usually once or twice a swason for the past 10 or more years. Restrooms are always clean when we have been there. Proprietors are very friendly and helpful. I've been there when when it's just me and my 2 young kids. Owner and other campers helped me out of a situation in which my pop up slide would not slide out. Did not even ask, they all came to my rescuewhen they saw me struggle. The views over the all are to die for. If you want more privacy they have wooded spots that are just as nice. Book early for prime locations. Very quite and draws a clientele that is respectful. Family friendly, for sure.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2021

    Finland State Forest Campground

    Okay for overnight

    On the outskirts of Finland, along the Baptism River, in the Finland National Forest. Just a few miles north of Eckbeck Campground, off of MN 1 & County Rd 6. Really nice wooded sites, some can accommodate big rigs. Level sites. Vault toilets. Trash bins. Some privacy between sites. I would recommend staying here overnight if the nearby state parks are full. I do not recommend staying here for peace & quiet. Noise from ATVs, a few with modified mufflers. Since there are no electric hookups, there is some noise from generators for the big RVs. What was really annoying was the noise from a bunch of drunk middle aged folks down at the group site on the night of Oct 8, 2021. I had my own drunken moments at parties, but their behavior was pathetic. Their loud voices carried throughout the campground, including some loud f-bombs. Vault toilets were just okay; not particularly clean but usable. IMO, $17 fee is too high for this particular campground. 4 bars T-Mobile.


Guide to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Explore the beauty of RV camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin, where stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures await.

Big rigs should check out Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping

  • The Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping offers pull-thru sites that are spacious and level, making it ideal for larger RVs.
  • With amenities like drinking water and a sanitary dump station, this campground caters well to RV travelers.
  • Enjoy the unique experience of a swimming pond and the privacy of tiered sites nestled in the hills.

Some prices for RV Parks range from $35 to $40

  • At Kreher RV Park, you can find well-maintained sites with full hookups for around $40 a night.
  • The Buffalo Bay Campground offers lakeside views and electric hookups for approximately $35 per night, perfect for a quick stop.
  • For a more rustic experience, Frontier RV Park and Campground provides full hookups at a competitive rate, making it a great choice for families.

Enjoy kayaking and exploring the Apostle Islands

  • The Apostle Islands Area Campground is a fantastic base for kayaking adventures, with easy access to boat tours of the islands.
  • Stay at Lamb's Resort for a family-friendly atmosphere and proximity to hiking trails and biking routes along Lake Superior.
  • The Bad River Casino provides a unique experience with access to local attractions and the chance to explore the nearby Frog Bay Tribal National Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are RV campgrounds located near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

Several RV-friendly campgrounds are conveniently located near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Dalrymple Park and Campground in Bayfield offers 28 sites just minutes from boat departures to the Apostle Islands and Madeline Island. For mainland options, Buffalo Bay Campground near Bayfield provides drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. On Madeline Island itself, Big Bay Town Park offers electric service on their "modern" side across from the office. Most RV campgrounds cluster around Bayfield and Cornucopia, providing strategic access points to explore the national lakeshore. Ferry service is available for RVs wanting to camp on Madeline Island, though fees apply.

What is the best time of year for RV camping at Apostle Islands?

The prime season for RV camping at Apostle Islands runs from late May through early October, with July and August offering the warmest temperatures and most reliable weather. Namekagon Lake Campground and other area facilities experience their busiest periods during these summer months. Late June provides an excellent balance of pleasant weather without peak crowds at parks like Finland State Forest Campground. Fall brings spectacular foliage in September and early October, though services begin to reduce as the season progresses. Many campgrounds operate at full capacity during summer weekends, so midweek visits offer more availability. Winter camping is extremely limited due to harsh conditions and seasonal closures of most facilities in the region.

Do I need reservations for RV camping at Apostle Islands?

Reservations are highly recommended for RV camping near Apostle Islands, especially during peak summer months. Lamb's Resort tends to fill up quickly during the season, making advance bookings essential. Similarly, private facilities like Frontier RV Park and Campground operate on a reservation system. Some public campgrounds, like Wanoka Lake Campground in the Chequamegon National Forest, operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-pay stations. For camping on Madeline Island, securing ferry reservations is just as important as campground reservations, with round-trip ferry costs for trailers running around $110. Booking well in advance, especially for summer weekends and holidays, is strongly advised.

What amenities are available at Apostle Islands RV campgrounds?

RV campgrounds near Apostle Islands offer varying amenities to accommodate different camping preferences. Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping provides electric and water hookups at all sites with some full hookup options, plus a clean office/store, cabins, and tent sites. Located just one mile from Bayfield town center, it offers convenient access to the ferry dock and local attractions. At Big Bay State Park Campground, you'll find spacious sites with handicap-accessible picnic tables, fire pits with cooking grates, vault toilets, and some shower facilities. Most campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities like pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, though hookup availability varies significantly between locations.