Best Tent Camping near Ashland, WI
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore dominates the tent camping landscape near Ashland, Wisconsin, with multiple island-based campgrounds offering primitive sites accessible primarily by boat. The islands of Sand, Oak, Stockton, and Basswood feature tent-only sites with varying levels of amenities and seclusion. Big Rock Campground provides a mainland alternative with wooded tent sites positioned along a trout stream for campers seeking drive-in access without crossing Lake Superior.
Most island campsites require permits and advanced planning, as access depends entirely on weather conditions and boat transportation. Toilet facilities exist on most islands, though they are basic pit or vault styles with no running water. Fire rings and picnic tables are standard at established sites, while campers must pack in all supplies including drinking water to most locations. Big Rock Campground offers more accessible tent camping with fire pits and outhouses, but limited amenities otherwise. Seasonal considerations are significant, as the Lake Superior camping season typically runs from late June through early September, with unpredictable conditions outside this window.
The backcountry tent camping experience on the Apostle Islands offers remarkable seclusion and pristine natural settings. Sites on Oak Island provide some of the most remote tent camping opportunities, with trails leading to scenic overlooks. Sand Island features tent sites with beach access and routes to the historic lighthouse. Stockton Island's tent sites sit along a sandy shoreline beneath mature trees, offering prime locations for nature observation. "Stockton Island is one of about a dozen islands in the Apostle Islands archipelago...camping and kayaking in the islands is a spectacular experience," noted one visitor who appreciated the island's handicap-accessible platform campsite near the ranger station. For mainland tent camping, Big Rock provides a more accessible but still secluded option, with one camper describing it as a "great, secluded spot to stay while exploring the area's many hiking opportunities."
