Campers seeking primitive or secluded camping near Egg Harbor, Wisconsin will find options ranging from hike-in wilderness sites to heavily wooded private campgrounds. Door County's camping season typically runs May through October, with average summer temperatures between 70-80°F during the day and 50-60°F at night. The peninsula's unique geography creates microclimates where western shoreline campgrounds experience different wind patterns than those on the eastern Lake Michigan side.
What to do
Hiking at Newport State Park: Take advantage of Wisconsin's only designated wilderness state park with 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. "Beautiful campsite, right on the shores of Lake Michigan, could easily walk to the water for drinking water, or to rinse and wash dishes. The shoreline is mostly rocks and pebbles," according to one Newport State Park visitor who hiked over 26 miles of trails.
Golfing at Peninsula State Park: Peninsula State Park includes an 18-hole golf course adjacent to camping areas. "The outskirts of the park is lined with incredible vistas, beaches, and a golf course. Kayaking, horseback riding, and amazing hikes are some of the immediate activities," notes one camper at Tennison Bay Campground.
Dark sky stargazing: Newport State Park received Dark Sky Preserve designation in 2017, making it ideal for stargazing. "It's a great location for stars! We stayed in site 9 and didn't have any neighbors," reports one visitor who appreciated the lack of light pollution and secluded camping experience.
Local cultural experiences: Door County offers unique local attractions beyond the campgrounds. "My number one recommendation is the Wickman House in Ellison Bay. Prices may vary BUT, my buddy and I had 1 Old Fashioned(each), 1 bottle of wine, Oysters, Corn salad, Brisket, Dessert... All of that costed us around $120, TOTAL," shares a Tennison Bay camper who enjoyed the local cuisine.
What campers like
Wooded privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural vegetation creating seclusion. At Wagon Trail Campground, "The sites are large and secluded. The campgrounds are impeccably clean. The sites are decent sized, with wooded area in between the sites."
Clean bathroom facilities: Several campgrounds receive high marks for their bathroom maintenance. "The bathrooms were the best we've seen at any campground," notes one Wagon Trail visitor, while another adds they are "comparable to Fort Wilderness. The bathrooms were amazing and at check-in gave suggestions of things to do!"
Site variety and accessibility: From wilderness to full hookups, the area offers camping options for every preference. At Baileys Woods Campground, "There are tent only sites, pull through sites, and sites that will accommodate popup campers up to large pull behind campers. Seasonal sites are interspersed throughout the campground."
Ecological diversity: Door County's unique ecosystem creates habitat for rare plants and wildlife. "Gorgeous wildflowers in the spring, including the rare dwarf lake iris and lots of trillium," observes a Newport State Park visitor, adding to the natural appeal of camping in this location.
What you should know
Reservation timing matters: State parks in the area book up extremely fast, especially Peninsula State Park campgrounds. "Peninsula State park is a very busy camping destination in the summer, so reserve your spot early! It's a beautiful park with lots of campsite options," advises one camper.
Poison ivy awareness: Multiple campgrounds report significant poison ivy presence. At South Nicolet Bay Campground, a visitor warns, "Watch out for poison ivy, it's everywhere. Same with mosquitoes. But that's the beauty of outdoors, right? So be very careful, especially when you camp with your four legged friends."
Seasonal insect conditions: Bugs can be significant depending on season and weather. "In May there is an abundance of flies that were swirling around. Found out later these are seasonal 'may flies' and they are everywhere. Spiders were also a bit of a surprise at this site," notes one Newport State Park camper.
Water conditions: Some campsites have challenging water access or quality issues. At Welcker's Point, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Rustic Timbers Door County Camping, "They have a nice pool and playground for children. They have fun kid things but you have to pay extra to use them. They have a free playground (old school looking, lots of metal) that my kids had a lot of fun on."
Multi-generational camping: The area accommodates family traditions and gatherings. "We go here every labor day. We bank from 6-8 sites next to each other. Fantastic place," shares a Wagon Trail camper, demonstrating the area's suitability for family reunions.
Educational opportunities: Peninsula State Park features a nature center with wildlife exhibits. "We even got to watch a monarch butterfly come out of its chrysalis!" exclaims one excited visitor, highlighting the educational value for children.
Beach considerations: Know what to expect at water access points. "Beach was covered in crushed shells so shoes a must. Water shoes even better if you want to wade in," advises a Newport State Park visitor, providing practical guidance for families planning water activities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Campgrounds vary widely in site layout and privacy. At Baileys Woods, "Depending on the time of year, you don't need much advance notice to book a site. If you would like to book for cherry season they recommended calling 4-6 weeks in advance. If you want one of the larger sites (pull through ones), I would suggest calling sooner."
Hard terrain awareness: Some campgrounds have challenging surfaces for staking tents or parking. "Campsite seems to be on a bedrock so it was difficult to hunker down our tent pegs securely, so we made good use of the large stone around us to add additional security," notes a Newport State Park camper.
Navigation planning: Interior roads can be challenging at some campgrounds. A camper at South Nicolet Bay warns, "The only drawback is the long drive through the park to get in and out," which can be especially important for larger RVs navigating narrow park roads.
