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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
