Best Campgrounds near Athelstane, WI

Camping opportunities around Athelstane, Wisconsin range from established campgrounds to rustic sites along waterways. The area includes Kosirs Rapid Rafts and Campground in Athelstane, which offers tent and RV sites plus cabin accommodations. Several campgrounds within a 30-minute drive provide varied experiences, including Governor Thompson State Park Campground near Crivitz with electric hookups and shower facilities, and Old Veterans Lake Campground in the Peshtigo River State Forest with more primitive amenities. Most locations support mixed camping styles with both tent and RV sites available.

Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring navigation on narrow forest roads. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April through October, though some like Governor Thompson State Park remain open year-round. Summer weekends often reach capacity, making advance reservations essential, particularly for electric sites. Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, especially within the state forests. Winter camping options are significantly reduced, with snow-covered access roads limiting travel. A camper noted, "This campground is out there. With sites right next to the lake, you're sure to enjoy some of Wisconsin's beautiful north woods."

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers in the Athelstane area. Several campgrounds provide direct lake or river frontage, including sites along the Peshtigo River. Campers frequently mention the peaceful setting and natural surroundings as highlights. The region supports extensive outdoor recreation with connections to ATV and snowmobile trail systems. According to one visitor, "If outdoor recreation is your thing, this is the perfect base camp. The campground entrance is right off the ATV/Snowmobile/Horse Trails which connect to thousands of miles of trail systems all throughout the Northwoods of Wisconsin." Bathroom facilities range from modern shower buildings at larger campgrounds to basic vault toilets at more remote locations. Most established campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, though amenities decrease at more primitive sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Athelstane, Wisconsin (127)

    1. Governor Thompson State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Athelstane, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 757-3979

    "We stopped here for a quick overnight pit stop on our way from Minneapolis to our final destination camp site in Rowleys bay , Door county, Wisconsin."

    "Cost me about $100 for 2 nights (because of Wisconsin Parks car pass)."

    2. Old Veterans Lake County Park

    4 Reviews
    Athelstane, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 732-7530

    $17 / night

    "This is a little campground a short drive down some narrow, twisty backroads from Governor Thompson State Park. We stayed at site 11 which had an awesome little trail to the lake."

    "They also enjoy swimming across, and hiking and biking around the lake. Nearby trail to the Peshtigo River Flowage. Pit toilet and water available, plenty of wooded sites available."

    3. Old Veterans Lake Campground — Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest

    3 Reviews
    Athelstane, WI
    7 miles
    Website

    "From there it was a short 1 mile paddle to our campsite on the northside of the lake. This site was wooded, with many tall trees which gave great shade, and also spots for hammocks."

    "Wild blackberries along the trails and camp sight. Good fire ring, clean vault toilets, big camp sites."

    4. Tranquil~Vista Campground

    3 Reviews
    Amberg, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 282-2904

    $25 - $30 / night

    "There are miles of ATV and Side x side trails down the road, We spend the whole day riding and never see it all and they are well groomed."

    "The back tent areas are great, great walking trails, right on the water, the staff is so friendly and do daily checks to check if you need fire wood or anything."

    5. Twelve Foot Falls County Park

    5 Reviews
    Dunbar, WI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 732-7530

    "No cell service — downloaded maps around the highway turnoff to be able to navigate in the dark. Campground is small and sites are close; made friends with the neighbors."

    "That’s normally not an issue for us because we will forage and cut our own but the rain has been falling so all the surrounding fallen trees were wet."

    6. Peshtigo River Campground

    9 Reviews
    Crivitz, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 854-2986

    "I grew up about 10 minutes away from this campground and it is still an awesome place to go when we are looking for a “staycation”!"

    "The fire pit was away from the level area the RV is to be parked. The electric and water were a little farther away than typical but not too bad."

    7. Evergreen Park & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Wausaukee, WI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 856-5341

    $25 - $39 / night

    8. Twin Bridge County Park

    2 Reviews
    Athelstane, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 732-7530

    "The sites are big and wooded and there’s some nice hiking trails. It’s also affordable!"

    9. Shakey Lakes Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Wausaukee, MI
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 753-4582

    "We visit our family up at shakey lakes campground every summer! They have a permanent site along with several other family members. It is RV and tent friendly."

    10. Kosirs Rapid Rafts and Campground

    1 Review
    Athelstane, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 757-3431

    "Unpaved path to the showers, beaten old boat shed, old camp busses, and so many friendly acquaintances."

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Recent Reviews near Athelstane, WI

463 Reviews of 127 Athelstane Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Bagley Rapids NF Campground

    Sweet Campground, Small and Quiet

    Nice little campground in the Chequamegon National Forest. Cash only, FCFS. There’s not a lot of sites here, but it’s also pretty hidden away. I showed up on a Friday evening around 6:30pm and was still able to snag a spot on the river. Quite a few ticks here, make sure to bring some permethrin spray for your clothes and your dog. Tough fishing from the sites with a lot of overhanging tree cover, but there are a few fish around if you can get a cast in.

    T-Mobile signal is non-existent, Verizon had 1-2 bars of LTE which was enough to send out a few texts.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Welcker's Point Campground — Peninsula State Park

    Decent Campground, But There Are Better Within The Park

    Stayed here over Labor Day weekend 2025. This was my first time staying at Welcker’s Point, however I’ve been to Peninsula State Park many times over the years. This campground is smaller than some of the other ones like Tennison Bay. It has about 80ish sites total. There’s one shower building and a couple bathroom buildings. The showers are the new style where each shower gets its own room/door. The water here is loaded with iron and comes out looking orange, even the well water for drinking. It didn’t taste bad, but it definitely looked gross in a water bottle. There’s a lot of spiders at this campground, more than other campgrounds at the park. The sites don’t have much for privacy, but it’s better than a parking lot.

    Overall, if it was between this campground and not going at all, I’d pick this campground for sure. If you have other options within the park, I’d probably choose one of those instead.

    Site 85 had absolutely zero T-Mobile and Verizon signal. Our phones were in SOS Mode. Brought the Starlink dish, but the tree cover was too thick for it to work.

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 4, 2025

    J.W. Wells State Park Campground

    Beautiful and peaceful

    Really nice sites and you can see the water from most of them. Some sites were muddy but I think it was mostly from how busy it was over Labor Day. Facilities are clean and the camp hosts are so sweet (they have matching vests and serve coffee every morning). Really nice recreational activities (basketball, tetherball, horse shoes) and a trail leading to the picnic shelter and sandy swimming beach.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    North Bay Shore Park

    Beautiful

    Right on the shores of Lake Michigan Most sites have asphalt pads and there is water and electric at the site There is also a dump station on the way in, which was clean and easy to access The sites are fairly close with not much privacy This side of the lake is very Mari so there is no beachfront at all, for people with a boat and wanting to launch it’s perfect but for rock hounds and beach walkers like me not so great. Not much hiking around either.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Chipmunk Rapids

    Artesian well

    Cute campground with an artesian well. The toilet is clean.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Fox County Park Campground

    Beach sites

    One could camp right on the beach here. The beach is fantastic. There is water available. Cell service is ok. The toilets are repulsive. The sites are overcrowded, thankfully we did not have neighbors. There is traffic noise and a bright light above the toilets means no one will trip on the way to the potty, but you won’t see any stars either.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Octonto River - South Branch

    Peace for $5

    There are 2 campsites at this trailhead, pretty well spaced apart. 

    The first has more of an opening if solar and Starlink matter to you. The second was tucked in the back where the road turns around.

    There is a clean and maintained vault toilet.

    Unless you have the Golden or Access pass, it is $5/day.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    McCaslin Brook Dispersed site

    Shady, Creek-Side, $5 Fee

    There are three pull-in areas, with picnic tables and fire rings just off the road. Two *may* be large enough to handle more than 1 small rig/tent/popup. They are shaded and right by the creek, which gurgled along happily (and had some bugs in mid-August, but that was to be expected).

    We ultimately decided not to stay here simply because it was so shaded. While that made it nice and cool, it made solar & Starlink impossible. 

    There was no AT&T to speak of, but TMobile had 20 down/1 up.


Guide to Athelstane

Camping near Athelstane, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Fishing and swimming: Many campers enjoy fishing in the nearby lakes. One reviewer at Boulder Lake mentioned, "Boulder lake is amazing and is located conveniently close to the Wolf river, which has whitewater rafting and trout fishing." The lake is also great for swimming, making it a perfect spot for families.
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the campgrounds. A visitor at Governor Thompson State Park noted, "This park is big, with lots of trails, clean bathrooms, water access, and great campsites that offer privacy when the foliage is grown in."
  • Kayaking and canoeing: Many campgrounds have access to water activities. A reviewer at Bagley Rapids NF Campground shared, "Tranquil nights next to the rapids makes this campground great," highlighting the peaceful atmosphere for paddling.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One guest at Kleinke Park Campground said, "Great showers and playground, day camping areas abound," emphasizing the family-friendly environment.
  • Friendly staff: Many reviews mention helpful campground hosts. A visitor at Peshtigo River Campground remarked, "The owners are awesome and worked with us on our reservation," showcasing the welcoming atmosphere.
  • Scenic views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at J.W. Wells State Park Campground noted, "Great views of Lake Michigan! Beautiful sandy beach just a short walk away!"

What you should know:

  • Site conditions: Some campgrounds have grassy sites that can be tricky for larger campers. A reviewer at J.W. Wells State Park Campground warned, "The views are beautiful but all the camping spots are grass; we instantly sunk the second we tried to park!"
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A visitor at Governor Thompson State Park mentioned, "Heads up - not many electric sites but nice hiking trails and small lake nearby."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for some critters. A camper at Bear Lake Campground noted, "If it were hot, I would imagine a lot of mosquitos," so bring bug spray!

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds and activities: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. A reviewer at Kleinke Park Campground mentioned, "Great showers and playground, day camping areas abound," making it a hit for families.
  • Choose quieter times: Visiting during weekdays can lead to a more peaceful experience. A guest at Governor Thompson State Park said, "Weekdays in the fall... so quiet and peaceful."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep kids entertained. A visitor at Chute Pond Park shared, "There’s lots to do the whole weekend whether you want to go hiking, fishing, boating, small cliff jumping."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Peshtigo River Campground mentioned, "We thought we had a small site- until we got there," highlighting the importance of checking dimensions.
  • Bring leveling blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly flat. A camper at J.W. Wells State Park Campground advised, "Bring blocks if you want to stay!"
  • Be prepared for limited hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A visitor at Bear Lake Campground noted, "Rustic with no electric hook-ups," so plan accordingly.

Camping near Athelstane, Wisconsin, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Athelstane, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Athelstane, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Athelstane, WI and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Athelstane, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Athelstane, WI is Governor Thompson State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Athelstane, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Athelstane, WI.