The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Bayfield includes 21 islands in Lake Superior with 12 miles of mainland shoreline. Situated along the northern edge of the Bayfield Peninsula in Wisconsin, most camping areas in this region sit at elevations between 600-700 feet above sea level, with temperature variations of up to 20 degrees between mainland and island locations due to Lake Superior's cooling effect. Summer nights can drop into the 40s even in July.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Superior: Explore the sea caves and shorelines of Apostle Islands through guided tours or renting equipment locally. "Went kayaking out here and the caves are awesome!!!! So much fun and lucked out having a nice still day!!!" wrote a visitor to Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping. Lake Superior conditions can change rapidly, so inexperienced kayakers should consider guided tours.
Hiking to waterfalls: Multiple trails in the region lead to scenic waterfalls and overlooks. "We hiked Wolf Mountain and the Porcupine Mountains. We've done the ski jump thing too. All are great!" noted a camper at Alpine Campground & RV Park. Most trails are moderate difficulty with terrain suitable for families.
Exploring lighthouses: Several historic lighthouses are accessible by boat or hiking trails. "There was a nice walking path to the lighthouse, which we were lucky enough to tour!" reported a camper who stayed at Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping while visiting Sand Island.
What campers like
Lake views and shore access: Many campsites offer direct views of Lake Superior. At Buffalo Bay Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Sites 7 and 8 have a fire pit and table right on the shoreline it's beautiful. You can walk to the casino/hotel the showers and bathrooms are in one side of the hotel big showers." Shore access varies between rocky outcroppings and sandy beaches.
Wildlife encounters: The forests and shorelines support diverse wildlife. "We had a wonderful weekend there and saw a few black bears. And one even meandered through our camp site. And enjoyed the sounds of the waves and hiked a few of the trails," shared a camper at Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping. Bear-proof food storage is essential at most campgrounds.
Spacious sites: Many area campgrounds feature well-separated sites. At Dalrymple Park and Campground, a reviewer noted, "Set in a deep old forest of tall shady trees, the campsites are large, spacious, well kept and in pristine quality. Many are in primo spots along the bluffs overlooking Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands."
What you should know
Weather changes quickly: Lake Superior influences local weather patterns with sudden shifts. "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," shared one Apostle Islands camper, noting that "some camp sites were very desolate and rustic. No running water on some islands."
First-come sites fill early: Non-reservable campgrounds reach capacity by early afternoon. "First come first served park. We were able to find a spot before 1pm but the park filled up by 3-4pm. There was steady traffic of disappointed RVs driving through the grounds till 6-7pm," reported a visitor to Kreher RV Park.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies widely throughout the region. "AT&T signal was amazing! I was able to watch Netflix and also get my work done," noted a camper at Birch Grove Campground, but service is spotty or nonexistent on many islands.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas with gentle entry points. "This is a great base camp for exploring the Apostle islands. It's about a mile from Bayfield. There is bike rental at Howl bike shop which is walking distance," reported a visitor to Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping. Water temperatures remain cold year-round, rarely exceeding 65°F even in August.
Playground access: Some campgrounds include play equipment for children. "Very friendly staff, nice camp store. Sites ok, pretty tight. Quiet place with nice playground," noted a camper at Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping. Most playgrounds are basic with swings and climbing structures.
Kid-friendly trails: Several short hiking options accommodate young explorers. "There are tons of hiking trails that start right in the campground. My favorite hike is to the waterfall and walking up the steps to get to the top of it," shared a visitor to Alpine Campground & RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness challenges: Many RV campgrounds in the Bayfield area require leveling equipment. "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," explained a visitor to Dalrymple Park and Campground.
Limited dump stations: Not all campgrounds offer on-site dumping facilities. "There is no dump station, only a spot near the bathroom that you can pull up to dump, but then you have to back out of it," reported an RVer at Frontier RV Park and Campground. Some RVers mentioned using facilities at nearby casinos for a small fee.
Water access varies: Water hookup availability differs between campgrounds. "There are water hydrants in the campground, but you cannot do dishes or fill your camper from them," warned a camper at Shipwreck Creek Campground. Several campgrounds offer potable water fill stations at central locations rather than at individual sites.
