Door County offers tent camping options that range from remote sites to more accessible locations. The Egg Harbor area sits at approximately 640 feet above sea level along the western shore of the Door Peninsula, featuring limestone bedrock formations and mixed hardwood forests. Summers bring temperatures averaging 70-80°F during day and 50-60°F at night, with persistent winds off Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
What to do
Hiking woodland trails: Newport State Park offers 30 miles of ungroomed, heavily wooded trails with abundant wildlife. A camper notes, "Newport State Park is a 2,373-acre Wisconsin state park at the tip of Door Peninsula near Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. Protecting 11 miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan, Newport is Wisconsin's only wilderness-designated state park."
Stargazing opportunities: The International Dark-Sky Association designated Newport as a Dark-sky preserve in 2017. One visitor mentioned, "We had clear night skies which was truly breathtaking. Great location!" Sites at Rock Island State Park Campground offer excellent stargazing due to minimal light pollution.
Explore historic structures: Take time to visit the lighthouse and boathouse at Rock Island. A camper describes, "The island is beautiful with loads of history as well as natural beauty... We also enjoyed seeing the lighthouse and boathouse. We did self-tours of both and it was so fun learning the history and looking around!"
What campers like
Private beach access: Many campsites sit directly along Lake Michigan or Green Bay. A visitor to Welcker's Point Campground shared, "Stayed at site 854 which had private access to the water, plenty of shade, and secluded from other sites."
Protection from elements: The area can experience significant winds and temperature drops. One camper reported, "The island gets very windy and cold at night. Be prepared and bring extra layers! On the plus side, bugs were very very minimal."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer the best wildlife spotting times. A Rock Island visitor noted, "We had lots of friends (deer, snakes, toads)!" Another camper at Newport State Park Campground mentioned exploring "campsite 13... tucked away in the woods with a fire pit, two wood benches, two flat areas for tents and a metal animal box to protect food."
What you should know
Tent site terrains vary: Some sites feature bedrock just below soil surface. A camper at Newport noted, "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."
Water access considerations: At Rock Island, the beach has challenging surfaces. As one visitor explained, "Beach was covered in crushed shells so shoes a must. Water shoes even better if you want to wade in."
Ferry logistics: Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed offers an alternative to island camping with lake views. A Rock Island visitor advised, "The ferrys are first come first serve. If you want to get on the first ferry, get down there early."
Cell reception limitations: Coverage is spotty throughout the peninsula. A camper reported, "Don't plan on having any cell phone reception with AT&T. 90% of the time I was at my campsite my phone was in SOS mode. You need to drive out to the park entrance to get reliable reception."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Peninsula State Park offers family-friendly shorelines. A visitor noted, "A very nice beach, plenty of campgrounds, relatively clean bathrooms considering you're camping. Very pretty, lots of hiking and biking trails."
Kid-friendly spaces: Harbour Village Campground & Water Park provides additional entertainment options. A camper shared, "We had stayed for three days over the Father's Day weekend and had a great time. Plenty of things to do for the kids, swimming pond was a ton of fun, and the sites were big and spacious!"
Wagon availability: At Rock Island, carts help transport gear from the ferry dock. One visitor explained, "Rock Island requires 2 ferry rides to get to the island. All campsites are hike in and it's recommended to pack light. A few carts are provided to haul gear if needed."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent-focused campgrounds restrict larger vehicles. At Old Veterans Lake County Park, a camper noted, "We did have someone ratted on us for using our generator to supply our CPAPs because there was no electricity or water."
Alternative power solutions: CPAP users should plan for battery options. The same camper explained, "Very private and our dog was able to roam at will. We will be back."
