185 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Dunbar, Wisconsin range from rustic forest service sites to developed county parks with modern amenities. The area includes Twelve Foot Falls County Park, which offers tent and RV camping with access to picnic tables, drinking water, and fire rings. New Prospect in the Kettle Moraine State Forest provides more primitive camping experiences, while several other campgrounds like Morgan Park and West Bass Lake offer electric hookups and additional facilities. The Nicolet National Forest surrounds much of the region, providing both established campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities within driving distance.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require travel on gravel or dirt forest roads. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from May through October, though some like West Bass Lake remain open year-round. Winter access may be limited by snow conditions, particularly at higher elevations or remote locations. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, especially at more remote forest service campgrounds. Visitors should come prepared with adequate supplies, as amenities and services may be limited. As one camper noted about New Prospect, "This one appears to now be a veteran memorial. There is a pavilion and playground. A hand pump for water is right by the parking area. We couldn't find any info on if camping is allowed/not allowed or how to register."
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for the area, with several campgrounds offering lake access for fishing, swimming, and boating. West Bass Lake features recently updated facilities including new showers and flush bathrooms, with a visitor noting, "There is a really nice beach area adjacent to, but not in the campground. It is a nice short walk." Many campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups for RVs while maintaining tent-friendly sites. The area's natural setting offers excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Visitors frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere and scenic views, particularly at lakeside sites. For those seeking more remote experiences, dispersed camping options exist on national forest land, though these lack amenities and require visitors to pack out all trash and waste.
"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."
"Located in Marinette county, this park has a lot to offer. Hike the bluffs, swim, fish, blueberry picking, and much more!"
"Located close to Iron Mountain area. Sites are very nice and tucked into the woods. Gives the perfect feel of good camping."
"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."
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"I live near this campground, so I have stayed at almost every site in the park. If you cant have or don't want a lake site, site #4 is the largest. It is almost 35 yards across the front."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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)."
from $22 - $39 / night
Check Availability"A train runs next to the campground but only comes through periodically we were there a week and only saw it twice. Tons to do up here waterfalls caves and the iron mine tour"
"My husband and I have been traveling around the US and happened on Summer Breeze at the last minute. Nikki and Jerry are wonderfully accommodating, the campground and its facilities are very clean."
"Pit toilets and right on the lake. First come first serve. And 2 day maximum consecutive days stay if I believe. Close to waterfalls and other lake s and parks. Great time."
"Small and secluded this campground sits on the edge of bear lake and little cub lake is a short walk or drive from there."
"It’s a nice drive out here passing some local homes along the way. The road to the lake is just for the campground. There is a boat launch and picnic area before the campsites."
from $15 / night
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ScoutDefinitely not meant for RV's or campers. To get to the site you must take a long sandy path that becomes muddy after rain. The path is also very uneven and has several pits where a camper can get stuck. The actual camp site is nice though. Visited in September so bugs were minimal and it was quite. The water near by sounds quite nice.
GuideCloud Lake has 11 sites tucked in a loop on the outer edge of the lake. There is a very nice boat landing and deer hanging stand for the hunters. We had a site right on the beautiful and clear lake. The sounds of crickets, coyotes, and owls filled the night and the sky was bright with stars both nights. You might even see some shooting stars if the light is right! There is a place where they stack free fire wood, but no access to clean water onsite. There are also pit toilets. All and all a magical couple of days if you love nature and the quiet of being 3 miles into the forest. The road was easily accessible this time of year, but sounds like at other times, can be a little difficult.
TravelerI absolutely loved it here first time staying and will be back many more! Would've given 5 starts if the sites had electricity, but theres still plug in over by the pavilion. Definitely a gem of a find.!!!!
Traveler100 yards off main road. 4 very well keep sites right on the lake with boat landing and a well keep vault toilet. During the week the main raod was very busy with ATV/UTV traffic. Can't imagine the traffic on weekends. A lot of vehicles driving in out of the camp area also. Only stayed one night due to the amount of traffic in and around the campground and Very rude campers that set up in the site next to us. They Started up a generator right away. I asked if the were going to run the g at enerator the whole time. The reply was "So what if we do. He Already intoxicated at noon. Packed up and left.
GuideWe love the quiet beautiful lake, the forest is beautiful, do watch the trees when choosing your site. We did not reserve, we drove up, followed the directions to choose a site and are staying 2 weeks. And we will be using bug spray, lots.
ScoutThis camp cite is not free but is 5 dollars it has a rope swing rn thare are bugs but it’s super livable we made a bird friend that was pretty cool
TravelerAwesome spot within the tall pine trees, little lake access but very overgrown so I wasn’t able to get right to the water. Would definitely come again. Morning trails very buggy.
GuideMost of the sites were well spaced with a lot of trees in between. Bathrooms are clean. Each site had the standard picnic table and fire ring. My only complaint is that the path along the river had cutoffs to each campsite, and people would cut through where I was staying.
GuideCampground is not far off of the highway. The road is a bit rough but paved. Some of the sites are tight and not level. I had two Verizon cell bars. Good spacing between campsites, plenty of trash receptacles. All sites are blocked off with boulders and you can't drive all the way, in you have to park outside of your picnic area.
The Dunbar area sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation in northeast Wisconsin's Marinette County, bordering the Nicolet National Forest. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, while summer camping season typically runs May through October with daytime temperatures in the 70s-80s°F. Many campgrounds in this region require advance planning as ATV traffic increases substantially during summer weekends.
Waterfall exploration: 10-15 miles from Twelve Foot Falls County Park, visitors can access multiple waterfalls throughout Marinette County. "The CG was very clean with clean pit toilets. Upper and lower. Lower was near river. Nice trail along river to falls. Water pump by site 1 in upper area. Good base area for fishing the Pike river," notes Don N.
ATV trail access: 1-3 miles from Tranquil~Vista Campground provides connections to extensive trail networks. "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," shares Shane, who visits regularly.
Stargazing: Clear night skies throughout the area offer excellent viewing opportunities. "Not much ambient light in this park, so it is great for viewing stars and Northern Lights," notes Adam A. about West Bass Lake. The rural location means minimal light pollution for astronomy enthusiasts.
Geocaching: Multiple locations within state parks provide family-friendly treasure hunting. "Geocaches can be found on the hiking trails which is always fun!" explains Natasha T., who visited Governor Thompson State Park Campground.
Privacy between sites: Morgan Park offers wooded separation between camping areas. "Lots of trees and foliage so sites are at least semi-private - nearby lake for fishing and swimming and hiking trails too!" says Natasha T., who returns regularly to this campground.
Clean bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept washrooms. "Clean and modern shower facility which is greatly appreciated... a campground we keep coming back to," notes Natasha T. about Morgan Park. At West Bass Lake, "they have recently installed new showers and flush bathrooms" according to Adam A.
Lake access for recreation: Many top camping spots near Dunbar include water features. "The fishing is great both from your kayak, boat or the shore line," explains Shane about Tranquil~Vista Campground. At Morgan Park, campers appreciate the "nice beach on Timms Lake" according to David C.
Affordable camping rates: County parks typically cost $15-25 per night. "Very reasonable price," notes robin F. about Morgan Park, making it accessible for budget-conscious travelers.
Limited cell coverage: Prepare for disconnection at most campgrounds. "The road out to the campground takes you out of cell service. Google maps directed us down atv trails. We suggest following the posted signs and taking the short but roundabout way," advises Art S. about Twelve Foot Falls County Park.
Wildlife encounters: Bears and wolves inhabit the forests surrounding Dunbar. "Did hear some bear walking the first night and some coyotes/or wolves howling literally right behind our tent the second night," reports Jeff F. from his stay at Governor Thompson State Park.
Ticks prevalent in warmer months: Take precautions when visiting. "Beautiful Lakes secluded areas and a crazy amount of ticks in May. This could be why we were the only people in our loop of the campground so early in the season," warns Jill G., who stayed at Governor Thompson State Park.
Firewood availability varies: Some locations no longer provide this service. "A big downfall is that as of last year they stopped selling firewood. 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," explains Jolene L. about Twelve Foot Falls County Park.
Playgrounds and beaches: Combined recreation areas make Bear Lake popular with families. "The beach is nice size with a roped off swimming area that has plenty of space for the kids to swim and explore," notes Kimberly G., who camped there.
Spacious sites for group activities: Some locations offer extra room. "We had site #4 which is the largest. It is almost 35 yards across the front," shares Adam A. about West Bass Lake, providing ample space for families to spread out.
Easy-access swimming: Look for gradual entry points for children. "This place was so much fun! 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. They also have fun seasonal events that the host for the campers," explains McKenna R. about Tranquil~Vista Campground.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs during summer. "Geocaches can be found on the hiking trails which is always fun!" notes Natasha T. about Governor Thompson State Park, offering educational activities for kids.
Site sizing considerations: Summer Breeze Campground accommodates larger vehicles. "Big-rig friendly" is listed among its features, with Ross C. noting, "Owners were friendly. Stayed late for ya to arrive and personally escorted us to our site which was next level customer service."
Electric hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer powered sites. "Each site has electric hookup, and some sites have more than one box," explains Adam A. about West Bass Lake, helpful for RVers needing power.
Pull-through access: Some campgrounds have easier entry sites. "I like site 14 for a pull thru site. There were also some much larger sites for bigger rigs," notes PJ F. about Governor Thompson State Park.
Variable road conditions: Consider your vehicle clearance before booking. "The road to the lake is just for the campground. There is a boat launch and picnic area before the campsites," explains Art S. about Bear Lake, indicating access might be challenging for larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top camping locations near Dunbar, Wisconsin?
The Dunbar area offers several excellent camping options in Wisconsin's beautiful Northwoods. Bagley Rapids NF Campground is a standout location in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, providing a perfect weekend getaway with scenic rapids. Just a short drive away, Boot Lake Campground offers diverse campsites with shade options, vault toilets, and water access. Other noteworthy spots include Twelve Foot Falls County Park for waterfall enthusiasts, Morgan Lake Campground for a secluded lakeside experience, and Mountain Lakes Road for dispersed camping options off Highway 64.
What outdoor activities can you do when camping in Dunbar, Wisconsin?
The Dunbar region offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Water activities dominate at Laura Lake Recreation Area, where campers enjoy swimming, fishing, and paddling with great lake access from spacious campsites. Franklin Lake provides excellent fishing and private beach access from lakefront sites. Hiking enthusiasts can explore numerous forest trails throughout the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The area also offers ATV trails, wildlife viewing, star gazing, bird watching, and mountain biking. During winter months, the region transforms for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing adventures.
When is the best time of year to camp in Dunbar, Wisconsin?
The prime camping season in Dunbar runs from late May through early October. Summer (June-August) offers warm days perfect for water activities at West Bass Lake, which features new shower facilities and spacious sites. Early fall (September-early October) is particularly magical at Governor Thompson State Park, when cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage create a stunning backdrop for camping with fewer crowds. Spring camping (late April-May) can be enjoyable but comes with variable weather and potential for black flies. Winter camping is available for hardy adventurers at select sites but requires appropriate cold-weather gear.
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