Camping near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore area has several camping options that work well for visitors exploring Lake Superior. Tettegouche State Park has good tree cover at its campsites and puts you close to trails and waterfalls. Campers looking to stay near town can use Dalrymple Park and Campground, which sits close to Bayfield and has electric hookups for RVs. If you want lake views, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground lets you see both Lake Superior and the historic lighthouse. Most campgrounds in the area have drinking water and bathrooms. Many people come to the Apostle Islands to kayak or check out the sea caves. The spring and fall months tend to be less crowded and have milder weather. If you camp during early spring or late fall, bring warm clothes since temperatures drop at night. The area works for both tent and RV camping trips.

Best Camping Sites Near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (122)

    1. Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping

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

    $30 / night

    "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."

    "We liked the easy drive through sites with full hookup.  The campsites were tiered into the hill.  This helped sound proof the campsites. "

    2. 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."

    "There are also some primitive tent walk-up sites.

    Nice campground, $30/night, can pay online when you arrive. Good cell reception. Most, if not all, sites have 30 and 20 amp service."

    3. Big Bay State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    La Pointe, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 747-6425

    "Late spring Wisconsin weather made its presence felt, but we were undeterred. Its hard to be disappointed when faced with the spectacular views of the Apostle Islands."

    "Small but has some decent trails. Lovely to walk by the waters edge and skip rocks."

    4. Big Bay Town Park

    15 Reviews
    La Pointe, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 747-3031

    $33 - $40 / night

    "It was close to the water, just a walk away from a beach and hiking trail. The campsites were fairly private as far as car camping sites go."

    "The campsites on the lake side are rustic only. The modern sites are secluded with a good buffer of woods between them. Nice privacy. "

    5. Little Sand Bay Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 779-5233

    "Tent “lakeside” site is an open court yard setting which is a little strange. All sites can face The lake. Try and avoid the other tent sites as they are behind fish house in the woods."

    "The campground is located right on the shore of Lake Superior next to Apostle Islands Natuonal Lakeshore. The view is incredible, especially if you can catch the sunset over the lake."

    6. Buffalo Bay Campground

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

    $45 / night

    "This campground is oriented towards RV’ers and boaters, the campsite has full RV hookups and is adjacent to a very nice marina for those who are looking for that."

    "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!"

    7. Big Bay State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    La Pointe, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 747-6425

    "Big Bay State Park is on Madeline Island in Lake Superior and is one of the Apostle Islands. The only way to arrive is by ferry boat. It is pricey to bring your RV."

    "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."

    8. Apostle Islands Area Campground

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

    $25 - $35 / night

    "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."

    "Location is great if you're looking to do some exploring. Was very quiet even though it was close to Labor Day weekend, and for the size of the campground."

    9. Point Detour Wilderness Campground

    3 Reviews
    Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, WI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 226-8478

    $25 / night

    "The garbage is also right next to the toilet. Again very beautiful, but with a little more maintenance definitely could be a five star!"

    "We used The Dyrt to find this location. Thinking we would be staying at the casino campground, we discovered this gem, that they also run. "

    10. Oak Island — Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

    1 Review
    Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, WI
    0 miles
    Website

    "All others are close to ranger station.

    Bring head nets and long clothes june-july for bugs.

    Long hike to get to The Overlook. Bring a sandwich and water. Hike light."

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Recent Reviews near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

839 Reviews of 122 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Campgrounds


  • Cynthia K.
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Burlington Bay Campground

    Good base camp for the area

    Large campground run by the city of Two Harbors.

     It has 4 areas of RV camping & 12 primitive tent sites.

     The tent sites by the David Dill area were shady with trees Willow is near the dump station.

     Burlington sites 1-66 have water & electric. There's a row that has lakeside camping. The sites are mostly sunny with some shade. All are close together. There is a lake view. Apparently there's a path with lake access, but not sure which site this was by. 

    The playground is here. Dumpster, dump station & restrooms with showers.

     Agate sites are 67-91. is a loop with full hookup. 73-75, 77, 79,81-84, have beautiful views of the lake, but difficult lake access. Most of this loop is full sun& very close together sites. 

    We were at site 70 & at first I was bummed out not having a lake view. This is my own fault for dithering about what campground I wanted. I was lucky- this was the last site for my dates. I have later found out that someone must have cancelled for this site & I was lucky enough to get it. Reservations fill up quick a year in advance. 

    This site is narrow, but shady. There's foliage to the left separating it from Site 72 (which has a partial lake view) & the back separating it from the Burlington sites. There was a white tail doe walking thru it the first day we were there.

     Sites 67/68 & 70 are close. Our fire pit was only a few feet from site 68's. There's more shade here though.

    Site 69 is somewhat secluded & has shade & easy access to the bathroom. 

    The site across from us was a long site parallel to the road. It was empty the 2 nights we were here.

    Sites 92 to 102 are a little down the road in rows on both sides of the road. Again close together. Full hookup. Just a few feet away from Hwy 61.

     David Dill sites are 1B to 34B These are full hookup sites terraced on a hill. Big rig friendly. There's a bathhouse by the visitor center for David Dill & the tenters.

    Very close together & sunny. They have a pretty good view of the beach & lake. 

    24B to 34B have the best being lowest on the hill. There's a road- then a rocky beach.

     All parts of this campground were full on a Friday/Saturday night. The office has a small gift shop. Open 8am to 8pm during the season. Check in's at noon- which is great! Check out at 11am.

    We did see police patrol occasionally. Hwy 61 is only a few feet away & is VERY loud. There's no Jake brake ordinance for Two Harbors & the truckers are always doing it. 

    This is a busy town!

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2025

    Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping

    Nice place for a day or two

    This 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.

  • TexasRed (.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Castle Danger

    Great Spot

    Very nice n secluded spot, only had one other person stay there on labor day weekend. There are a couple of designated spots with fire rings, some are harder to get to. The road in is kind of rough but my subie handled it fine. The location on the dirt does take you to a persons property but check out Skips review for a detailed location. Overall great spot and close to a superior hiking trailhead

  • goose10091203 The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Afterhours Meadow

    Quiet but rough terrain

    Nice little field. Would be great if the groud wasn't all sticks and thorns. Good place to sleep. Not for extended camping

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Apostle Islands Area Campground

    Cute Campground

    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. 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.

  • m
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Eckbeck Finland State Forest

    Just fine

    I thought the campground itself was nice. It’s on a very busy road tho and I personally thought the sites in the middle were very close together. We also had a group of very rowdy college aged kids across from us that made our stay less enjoyable. If you can bet a site on the outer edge of the campground, it would be great.

  • Carly A.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Little Presque Isle Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    Great Location

    Great campground with access to Lake Superior. Perfect for watching the sunset or yooperlite hunting. This campground is family friendly and the vault toilets are well maintained. Some of the sites are a little close to others, but it wasn’t much of a bother.

    There is a trailhead right at the beginning of the campground that is short and easy with a number of amazing waterfalls along the way.

  • H
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Black Beach Campground

    Tight spaces, expensive

    We stayed here for 3 nights, 4 days and while the location is great, the camping was awful. The spots are one on top of each other, so much so that we spent our nights inside the RV because we were so on top of our neighbors. We could hear EVERYTHING, even when in our trailer and our neighbors were in theirs. Very clean facility, but not worth the price and unfortunate setup.


Guide to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

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.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. At Baptism River Campground — Tettegouche State Park, one camper noted, "There are lots of trails to hike and waterfalls!" This makes it a great spot for those who love to hit the trails.
  • Swimming: Enjoy the cool waters of Lake Superior. A visitor at Herbster Campground mentioned, "The sunsets were unbeatable!!" This campground is right by the beach, perfect for a refreshing dip.
  • Fishing: Cast your line in the nearby waters. Campers at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground have enjoyed the fishing opportunities, with one saying, "The state park, however, is fantastic."

What campers like:

  • Scenic views: Many campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review from Big Bay State Park Campground highlights, "The island is teeming with life," making it a picturesque spot for nature lovers.
  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Dalrymple Park and Campground, one visitor said, "Pit toilets were clean," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Friendly atmosphere: Many campgrounds have a welcoming vibe. A camper at Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping noted, "The owners are awesome!!! Easy to talk with and chat."

What you should know:

  • Reservations: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "Attempted to camp here 2 years before, but the campground was crowded and booked."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for encounters with nature. One camper at Baptism River Campground shared, "We had bug spray and mosquito nets, but ended up cutting our stay short as our poor dogs got the worst of the bites."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain facilities. A review from Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping noted, "There are no water or sewer hookups here, and no dump station."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for more room to play. At Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground, one camper mentioned, "All of the sites are large and spacious."
  • Plan for activities: Bring bikes or hiking gear to keep everyone entertained. A family at Gooseberry Falls State Park Campground wished they had their bikes along for more fun.
  • Pack snacks: Keep everyone fueled up for adventures. A camper at Herbster Campground enjoyed the "amazing sound of waves," making it a great spot for picnics.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the campground. A review from Dalrymple Park and Campground mentioned, "Good 30amp electric, water spigot nearby but no dump stations at park."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping appreciated the "easy drive through sites with full hookup."
  • Be mindful of noise: Some campgrounds can get busy. A camper at Big Bay State Park Campground noted, "Privacy is a little hard to come by sometimes because the camp is almost always full."

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

What campgrounds are available near Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

Several campgrounds serve as excellent basecamps for exploring the Apostle Islands region. Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping offers drive-in sites with amenities like water and toilets, accommodating both tent campers and RVs. Copper Falls State Park Campground is another popular option with well-spaced sites and spectacular waterfalls nearby. Other choices include Buffalo Bay Campground near Bayfield and Point Detour Wilderness Campground for those seeking a more rustic experience. These campgrounds provide strategic locations for day trips to explore the islands via boat tours or kayak rentals.

Where are the best camping spots in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

The Apostle Islands offer several excellent camping options. Oak Island — Apostle Islands National Lakeshore provides boat-in camping with pristine wilderness experiences and gorgeous Lake Superior views. For those who prefer camping near the mainland with easy access to boat tours, Dalrymple Park and Campground in Bayfield offers 28 sites just minutes from boat launches to the islands and Madeline Island. The campground's proximity to Bayfield makes it an ideal basecamp for exploring the entire national lakeshore while having access to town amenities when needed.

Can you tent camp in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore?

Yes, tent camping is widely available throughout the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The islands themselves offer primitive tent camping opportunities accessible by boat or kayak. For mainland options with easy access to the islands, Big Bay State Park Campground on Madeline Island provides beautiful tent sites. Copper Range in the nearby Brule River State Forest offers large, well-spaced rustic tent sites with basic facilities. Most island campsites require permits and have minimal facilities (typically just pit toilets), so come prepared with all necessary camping supplies including drinking water and bear-resistant food storage.