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The Bayfield, Wisconsin area serves as a gateway to Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands, with multiple camping options ranging from city-managed sites to island wilderness experiences. Dalrymple Park and Campground offers 28 sites within walking distance of downtown Bayfield, featuring electric hookups and Lake Superior views. Apostle Islands Area RV Park provides full-service camping with cabins and RV sites about a mile from town. For more remote experiences, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offers primitive camping on islands like Stockton Island, accessible only by water shuttle or private watercraft. Buffalo Bay Campground, operated by the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe Indians, provides lakefront sites with marina access.
Most campgrounds in the Bayfield region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter options. As one camper noted, "The season is short, from late June to Labor Day; traversing the lake is too unpredictable after that!" First-come, first-served sites like those at Dalrymple Park fill quickly, even midweek. "Arrive early to get a spot because even on weekdays they fill up. We visited on a Tuesday and all spots were gone by 3pm," reported one visitor. Island camping requires advance planning for water transportation and supplies. Cell service is generally reliable near town but may be limited on the islands. Mosquitoes can be prevalent in summer months, particularly in wooded areas.
Lake Superior views rank as the primary attraction for many campers visiting the area. Waterfront sites at Buffalo Bay Campground feature fire pits and picnic tables directly on the shoreline, offering sunset views over the water. Sites with lake views typically fill first and command premium prices. Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds, with some visitors noting that certain locations have "sites right next to each other" with "not a lot of privacy." Dalrymple Park receives praise for its "large, spacious, well kept" sites set among "tall shady trees," with some primitive walk-in options for those seeking a more secluded experience. Many campgrounds serve as convenient bases for exploring the Apostle Islands, with ferry access from Bayfield to Madeline Island and boat tours to other islands in the archipelago.
"It’s about a mile from Bayfield. There is bike rental at Howl bike shop which is walking distance. Howl also has a brewery with outside seating. The camp ground itself is quiet and clean."
"It is 1 mile from Bayfield town center. It is close to the ferry dock, restaurants, parks and beaches. All sites are electric and water and some are full hook up. "
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"City-run campgrounds can be of variable quality, and the Bayfield community campground at Dalrymple city park really sets the bar high."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $33 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Great area near all there is to do in Bayfield"
"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."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"this was a great little campground with amazing views of Lake Superior. It sits right in between Cornucopia and Bayfield so you have access to a lot of the scenic byway."
"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 location is great if you would like access to the Lake, as well as being in between Ashland and Bayfield."
"This small campground is well kept and close to the main road. It’s a perfect place to stop for a night’s rest and close enough to Bayfield to be a base."
"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!"
"We had a nice site #39 in the Buffalo Bay campground with water and electric and a view of the lake. #7 was across from us on the water no one was in it till the end of the week so we had an open view"
from $30 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Lake Superior island, board a ferry in Bayfield to get there! Oozing with either romance or budding curiosity for kids."
"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."
"Self registration is nice and love being on the lake and walking distance to town."
"Another great little “city” campground right on Lake Superior. This is a first come first serve campground- no reservations."
TravelerWe were not sure what to expect when we drive in the campground as we usually stay in National or State forest campgrounds. We pleasantly surprised by all the trees in the lake side loop! The sites are close together but the view!!! The sites in this loop are small. What would make this a five star was if there was a shower house!
TravelerWe had two nights here in two different spots. Price is a little high but it does include utilities which is nice. Most spots are 2 night minimum unless you’re filling a gap between reservations which is what we did and it was great. Staff really friendly and helpful. Nice trees around sites. Sites were close but we still found it pretty quiet. Good location to go in to town. Would definitely return.
TravelerWe had site 10 here. Aside from it being next to the pit toilets, which wasn’t shown on the map on rec.gov, it was great. Thankfully the toilets didn’t stink and the wind blew away from our site. No water view but we had loons fly right over us which was neat. Only noise was some dogs that never stopped barking but otherwise a good campground.
TravelerWe really enjoyed camping here even with the open sites. The view is awesome and you can't beat the sunset!
TravelerThis campground was very clean and beautiful. It's a great place to stay with a family. We stayed in site 36 and found it to be spacious and close enough to the playground and bathrooms for our kids to run down on their own. The staff was kind and helpful.
ScoutBeautiful campsite with beautiful views, only downside was our spot, we where in slot #9 and it was very public, we didn’t get much privacy because its a public boat launch + lake, and we where right next to the pavilion and there isn’t much trees covering, other then that all the other spots looked great! Didnt get to buggy until our last day which it rained the previous night so makes sense, but i would definitely recommend to others!
ScoutIt is an awesome campground and so close for a day trip. Sitting by the water is so relaxing after a long work week.
RangerThis was my favorite State Park campground in North Shore. Verizon had enough service within the campground for remote work and the spaces we roomy and offered a good mix of shaded and sunnier options, depending on your needs. I was in the westernmost loop (1-27) and found that it is best suited for tent campers or small rv units due to the curvy, hilly dirt road (with some manageable ruts) and the trees/brush. Water spigots (with COLD water) are well placed and the bath house is central to practically all sites. Shore access and trail access to the falls can be found via connector trails off the loop if you don’t mind a bit of an extra walk. The bath house itself was SO NICE. Very well kept and clean, and offered ample space. No hookups, but there is a dump station coming into the campground.
Watch out for the local deer though, it’s her turf and she’ll make it known with some angry foot stomping.
GuideStayed two nights while visiting the area. Restroom are kept clean. Showers had great water pressure and hot, hot water. Fairly new electrical upgrades. Many lots are small in size and gravel pads uneven. Section with FHU sites are grouped together. Easy on/off US-2.
Bayfield campgrounds sit along Wisconsin's northern edge on Lake Superior's southern shore at approximately 700 feet elevation. The camping season typically runs longer than mentioned in many reviews, with some campgrounds open from early April through October, though ferry-dependent island camping follows a stricter seasonal schedule. Weather conditions can change rapidly with temperature swings of 30+ degrees possible within 24 hours due to the lake effect.
Kayaking to island campgrounds: From Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping, visitors can access multiple water-based adventures. "We kayaked to many campgrounds and islands in the national lakeshore, paddling a total of 60 miles we were able to make it to 3 different island campgrounds," notes Kayla A. Island campsites vary in amenities with "bathrooms and picnic tables at most camp sites, some camp sites were very desolate and rustic. No running water on some islands."
Explore sea caves: Sand Island offers unique geological features accessible by water. "Kayaked to the island and the next day got to explore the sea caves on the island. There was a nice walking path to the lighthouse, which we were lucky enough to tour!" shares Haley C. Water conditions determine accessibility, with calm days providing the safest exploration.
Wildlife watching: Black bears inhabit several islands in the archipelago. James B. reports from camping on the islands: "We had a wonderful weekend there and saw a few black bears. And one even meandered through our camp site." Bear safety precautions are essential when camping, including proper food storage in designated containers.
Swimming in Lake Superior: Big Bay State Park Campground on Madeline Island features a substantial swimming beach. According to Laura E., "The beach in the state park is absolutely gorgeous with access via a nice boardwalk through the forest and along the beach." The water remains cold even in summer, rarely exceeding 65°F.
Waterfront camping sites: Buffalo Bay Campground offers premium lake-facing sites. "Sites 7 and 8 have a fire pit and table right on the shoreline it's beautiful," reports B M. The direct water access creates additional recreational opportunities: "There is a marina and a small beach. Wifi is very strong."
Affordability of municipal campgrounds: The city-run Dalrymple Park and Campground provides budget-friendly options. As Susan M. explains, "The campground is cheap and it includes all you can burn wood." Sites include "fire ring, picnic table, electric hook-up, and a stump to cut some firewood at each site."
Quiet evening atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting after sunset at select campgrounds. At Big Bay State Park, Kim mentioned, "Amazing star-gazing at night," while another camper noted the natural soundtrack: "Fall asleep to the sound of loons and frogs."
Forested campsites: Most campgrounds in the area feature wooded settings rather than open fields. "Set in a deep old forest of tall shady trees, the campsites are large, spacious, well kept and in pristine quality," Janet R. observed about Dalrymple Park, adding that there are "primitive walk in sites that are set off to the side in a nice secluded woodsy location."
Reservations essential during peak season: Most campgrounds fill quickly, even midweek. At Memorial Park Campground in Washburn, several campers noted availability challenges. "It got busy and the campgrounds were close together but not too bad," reports Angie G., while another reviewer noted, "For last minute planners, this might be tough."
Limited privacy at some sites: Many campgrounds feature closely spaced sites. Henry B. notes about Little Sand Bay: "The tent camping sites are not isolated from each other—just a long strip of lawn with about 6 sites or so." Similarly at Thompson's West End Park, Janet R. states sites have "few trees, small campsites, close together, no privacy."
Shower facilities vary: Some campgrounds charge for showers despite camping fees. At Big Bay Town Park, "Showers are pay showers," costing $2 for 8 minutes at some locations. Memorial Park offers free showers, with campers noting they are "hot and clean."
Ferry requirements for island camping: Accessing Madeline Island requires planning and additional expense. Debra M. explains: "It is pricey to bring your RV. Ours is only 26 feet but we had a bike rack and two bikes that brought our total length to 30 feet... about $27 for your car and $16 for each passenger round trip."
Playground accessibility: Thompson's West End Park includes family-friendly amenities. "There is a nice play area and beach, and it is obvious from the huge carved trout which fish reigns here," notes Annie C. The playground equipment is suitable for children ages 5-12 and centrally located within the campground.
Beach activities: Big Bay State Park offers family-friendly shoreline access. "Family of 4, very nice campground. Clean and convenient restrooms. Nice beach and campsites are spread recently apart," explains Jenna W. The beach stretches for 1.5 miles with gradually sloping shallow water areas ideal for younger swimmers.
Bug protection essential: Insects can be prevalent, particularly in wooded areas. Jeni P. warns: "Bring the mosquito repellent. They are off the charts bad!" Long sleeves and pants for evening activities help reduce bites, especially in June and July.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programs. As one reviewer of Little Sand Bay noted, "The Park service has staff on location with a Park Mobile information center, but better yet they are almost finished building a brand new beautiful visitor center about the Apostle Islands."
Site selection challenges: At Big Bay Town Park, RV sites vary significantly in quality and space. Paul S. reports, "Most room per trailer site I've seen in forever... extremely roomy - our truck and trailer are 54 feet long - no problem fitting at site 35 - but we'll bring an extension cord next time as our primary power cable didn't quite reach the utility box."
Dump station locations: Several campgrounds lack on-site dump stations. Susan M. shares this workaround: "There is not a dump station but we have taken it up to the Red Cliff casino and they have a dump station there. There's a charge but it's minimal." On Madeline Island, "There is a dump station at the airport about 5 miles away."
Leveling requirements: Many sites require significant leveling. Ryan S. notes about Dalrymple Park: "I think all the sites will require quite a bit of leveling. The sites are small, this campground is best for tent campers or small campers. Some of the roads are very steep."
Road conditions: Campground roads present challenges for larger rigs. "The entire campground is in the side of a mountain and there are no flat roads," reports Nick & Allyssa S. about Apostle Islands Area Campground, adding that "Spots are small but level, roads are all at a slope."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Bayfield, WI?
Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping is an excellent choice just one mile from downtown Bayfield, making it the perfect base camp for exploring the region. It offers clean facilities, full hookup sites, and is conveniently located near bike rentals, breweries, restaurants, and the ferry dock. For those seeking a more public option, Dalrymple Park and Campground is minutes from Bayfield's amenities with 28 sites and easy access to boat rides to the Apostle Islands and Madeline Island.
How do the Apostle Islands area campgrounds compare to other Bayfield camping options?
Island camping in the Apostle Islands, like at Stockton Island - Campsite, offers a more remote wilderness experience compared to mainland options. These National Lakeshore sites require water transportation via shuttle service or personal watercraft and provide a true backcountry experience with stunning natural surroundings. In contrast, Memorial Park Campground offers a community camping experience with mature pine forest shade and convenient positioning between Ashland and Bayfield with good Lake Superior access, making it ideal for those wanting mainland amenities while exploring the region.
What tent camping options are available in Bayfield, Wisconsin?
Tent campers have several options in the Bayfield area. Little Sand Bay Recreation Area provides a charming tent camping experience with beautiful surroundings. For those seeking more amenities, Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping offers dedicated tent sites alongside their RV spaces and cabins. For a more adventurous experience, consider island camping at one of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore sites, accessible by water shuttle or private boat. Most campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically operating from May through October, with peak season during summer months.
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