Are you in need of a campground near Ellison Bay, WI? Ellison Bay is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Ellison Bay, reviewed by campers like you.
Wagon Trail Campground is located in beautiful Northern Door County. It is blessed with beautiful acreage bordering the Mink River Nature Conservancy Preserve. Our wooded sites will provide you with a feeling of seclusion and privacy that is difficult to find at campgrounds these days. Combine this with highly rated clean restroom and shower facilities and you have a first rate “camper’s campground”. Wagon Trail Campground provides you with an opportunity to relax and connect with nature. All this, and the rest of Door County at your fingertips. We invite you to “Enjoy our good nature!”
$20 / night
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
$30 - $45 / night
$20 - $22 / night
Wagon Trail Campground is located in beautiful Northern Door County. It is blessed with beautiful acreage bordering the Mink River Nature Conservancy Preserve. Our wooded sites will provide you with a feeling of seclusion and privacy that is difficult to find at campgrounds these days. Combine this with highly rated clean restroom and shower facilities and you have a first rate “camper’s campground”. Wagon Trail Campground provides you with an opportunity to relax and connect with nature. All this, and the rest of Door County at your fingertips. We invite you to “Enjoy our good nature!”
$20 / night
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
Traveler
Great open sky site, next to the water. High winds, but local beach trail and historic town a short walk away with additional trails. FYI bathrooms, shower facility, water drops, and water dumpsite closes annually for winterization around Oct. 21. Keep this in mind when booking! Water was shutoff days after. arriving thankfully we filled up jugs before that. Electric and camp wifi on year round. 30A and 20A service at each site, worked fine. We'll be back for the next New Moon!
Traveler
The facilities here are top-notch, with clean bathrooms and showers that visitors rave about. Solar Many campers appreciate the electric hookups available at the sites, making it easier to enjoy the comforts of home while surrounded by nature.
Traveler
Peaceful, quiet, easy to book and well kept! Bathroom was ice cold and only cold water in bathroom. Very nice hot water in shower house. They made us pay for 2 nights when we only stayed for one on a Monday(not a weekend) but I’d absolutely recommend this campground! Very peaceful!!
GuideNew, clean bathrooms and showers. Showers are private and door locks. Campsites are very close together, little privacy. Walking trails that connect the campground to the old Fayette town on the coast are nearby.
GuideStayed here beginning of September for a few days. Site 53 and 54. 53 is nearly at the top of the horseshoe and has trail access to Lake MI. Site 54 starts a series of smaller, back in slot type sites. This stretch of sites was primarily used by overnighters in while we were here, and might be tight for a family to stretch their legs. The campground was pretty quiet, despite being full. The beauty of this campground is the trail access to the beach and lakefront, along with the nice modern bathrooms and showers. One drawback to these particular sites is the wall of invasive cocklebur along the outside, and you would get absolutely covered if you got near them. You can see them in my photo. Note: the lake area near the campground is all rip rap rock, like the white rock in the sunset photo with trees. There is a trail that goes past the boat landing to nice sand beach.
Traveler
This was our first experience with a “bells and whistles” type campground. And we were very pleased with the quality of the amenities that we have previously done without.
The newer playground is now open/free and includes a pickleball court, which was enjoyed by everyone. There is also a nice little convenience store and a bar/restaurant with a patio that overlooks the play area. It’s a great setup for parents who feel comfortable letting their kids play at a distance.
The toilets and showers were just spotless and so clean. That was honestly such a pleasant and welcomed surprise.
We were fortunate to have a more wooded spot within the circle section of the campground but it was not as wooded/secluded as other camping experiences we’ve had. But we knew this going in and were really pleased with the amount of greenery we got along with the amenities.
Would definitely come back!
Traveler
We parked in a river spot , and it was such a wonderful location, bathrooms right across a field, nice big playground, room for our motorhome, jeep, and hybrid van to charge ! Access to fishing right at our site and disc golf across from our camper !
Traveler
The views are beautiful but all the camping spots are grass, we instantly sunk the second we tried to park ! Bring blocks if you want to stay!
Scout
We rented a camper for the first time and decided to go here. We appreciated the facilities and the fact that there was help available if necessary.
The campground is big with lots of sites. Some are in a big field that was really crowded. I’m glad we asked for a wooded site.
The biggest downside was noise. We were there over the 4th of July. There were golf carts that circled the campgrounds blaring loud music on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of July. I get celebrating the 4th but this was pretty annoying.
But overall this was good. It helped me realize I prefer more remote camping. I’m not sure the resort feel of this KOA is for me, but that is a preference. There is a lot to like and a lot to do here.
Scout
Wonderful campground with great friendly service. We will definitely be returning on our trips to door county
Ranger
We were in Site# 14. We had electric/water with a paved pull-through. We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep.
The site was easy to level but the wheels of our motor home were off of the ground.
Check-in is at the hotel. The RV park is not visible from the hotel (it’s back in the woods). There is a phone at the shower house that can be used to request a free shuttle to the casino.
Our site was not shaded with limited trees. This was a smaller lot with our neighbors fairly close.
The lot comes with a picnic table and fire ring.
There was not any WiFi (we used our Starlink). They do not offer Cable TV.
There is not a community outdoor kitchen or community fire pit.
They do not provide garbage service at your site so you must walk to garbage dumpster.
They do have an indoor Swimming pool at the hotel with a sauna and steam shower.
There is not a Playground. There are not any additional play areas like Bocce ball, shuffleboard, basketball sport court, horseshoe, or volleyball courts.
They have a general store in the parking lot of the casino where you can also get gas.
There are restaurants on site in the hotel as well as a spa. The closest big town with stores is Escanaba (about 20 minutes away).
This is solely an RV park. They do not have any cabins to rent or any tent areas.
They have one shower house. The shower house has individual showers (toilets & sinks are on opposite side of shower house).
The laundry facility is located at the BP gas station (located in the parking lot of the casino/hotel). It is a cash only facility, but they have a change machine. It is approximately $2 to wash and $2 to dry a load.
They do not have a fenced in dog park. There are areas to walk dogs.
Bugs did not seem to be an issue.
Some fun things to do outside of the campground are to visit the Sandy Point Lighthouse or Ludington Park in Escanaba.
The casino is smoke-free. It states that the tables are open from 10am to 2am. Not all tables are available though (for instance, roulette wasn’t always available and if they did open up the one roulette table, it wasn’t until 6 or 7pm). The slot machine options are abundant.
Traveler
Love the campground but very strong gas smell. Hopefully will subside and I won’t get sick…headache etc but smell is in my camper since there is a nice breeze had windows open.
The campground is very nice….other campers friendly.
I am at electric site but not using it. Could not put my rv ambulance in tent spot.
Bathrooms are very clean…showers free!
Right on the water. Very beautiful!
Gas smell is only down side.
Luckily was for only the first night.
GuideGreat views of Lake Michigan! Beautiful sandy beach just a short walk away! Really nice playground for the kids. Overall, one of our favorite places to connected camp!
Guide
Easy to get to. quiet campground. I would suggest smaller campers and tents
RangerAgain, we stayed here for one night on our way elsewhere. We have to come back and make it our destination next time. Clean bathrooms… excellent camp hosts. Weekdays in the fall.. so quiet and peaceful.
Ranger
On Lake Michigan not much else to say!
Traveler
Stayed for 6 nights and loved all of it. I was in the camp more south on the left. I can confirm that there is a trailhead, national campground, private campgrounds, and boat launches down this road. Another review mentioned a site, that now has a no camping sign on it. I believe that was the site, but there is 2 sites. Some very light traffic as there is a lighthouse/ restrooms down the road from both of these. Not really walking distance for most, but manageable in any form. Caught northern lights, Milky Way, and glorious sights every day.
Scout
We camped with a RV; I felt like I was at the Hilton having water and electricity hook up. The view out our back window was spectacular!!
Traveler
This has been our favorite yearly destination. We go to campsite 12 as it is ON Lake Michigan with a small private pebble beach. (Water shoes are a must!) The water depth is about waist deep for as far as you can go out so it is great for kids and snorkling. My husband likes to put his hammock between the two trees at the shoreline. The hike in is about 1.8 miles and can be pretty bumpy! A cart could probably get pulled in if you were patient. We backpack with out 8 and 4 year old and they do just fine with the hike. There is fresh water at the ranger station and clean bathrooms.
Guide
We did a quick one-night trip to Rock Island and stayed at one of the backpacking sites. It was fun to take the two ferries in to the island, and the campsite was a very short hike from the dock. We did a day hike around the whole island that afternoon/evening and departed the next day. I would not have wanted to stay for longer than the one night since the island is too small to permit much in the way of day hiking, but it was a fun destination for the short trip.
Scout
Wouldn't consider this an rv site. Very small spaces ( 16 ) right by the road. NO DUMP STATION AT ALL. No garbage dumpster. Water and electric only. I thought they had to have a dump station by law to be an rv place. They said in 2018 they were working on it. Charged extra for 50 amp service. If you just want to pull in for the night and sleep it's ok. Would not recommend.
Guide
Camped for two nights in the northern loop. The camp store is fantastic -- lots of camping gear, snacks, beer, ice cream, and merch. The bathrooms were clean and the showers had nice hot/warm water! The hand dryer in the ladies bathroom is useless, though, so I ended up just having to air dry.
Amazing hiking and sights! Very close to the water and trails. The shoreline is rocky and definitely not meant for swimming. The boat launch is north of the campground and even has a fish-cleaning station. You can rent kayaks and paddleboards from the camp store and then launch them at the boat landing.
VERY VERY noisy campground. Lots of screaming kids and barking dogs and loud-talking. While this doesn't bother a lot of people, it made it difficult to really relax. Also, this isn't a reflection of the park at all -- of course it's a popular campground, as it has a lot of amenities and activities. I knew what I was getting myself into!
The sites are pretty close to one another but there are a lot of trees and greenery, so you still feel like you're in your own space. The bathrooms are all very clean and within short walking distance from the sites.
Next time I visit, I will do it in April/May or September/October so that I can avoid peak season, but I'll definitely be coming back!
GuideBeautiful place right on a gorgeous Sandy beach. Immaculate shower house with coin op laundry. Will visit again.
GuideI visited Rock Island on 8/12/23, during the peak Perseid meteor shower viewing period. Rock island SP is a dark sky spot and combine that with lesser people around, it was a perfect location for stargazing!
About the site(20): Very spacious but the distance btw the picnic table/tent and the fire ring was somewhat far. Can see the neighbors but far enough to maintain some privacy. A short walk to the beach! There are sites that are closer to the water (i think 26-28) and i would definitely stay in one of those sites next time.
Island in general: Like many people mentioned, there’s a water pump near the boat house and pit toilets scattered thru the campsites. Firewood are sold for $7/bundle during 4:30pm-5:30pm. Bring cash!!
One big no-no: SPIDERS. WHY SO MANY SPDIERS?!?!? spiders are crawling everywhere. Yeah the beach was so nice and didnt feel like I was in Wisconsin but there are COUNTLESS SPIDERS crawling on the beach. Why?!?!? So no to a picnic blanket, a camp chair is a MUST.
I was only there for one night to see the meteor shower but will definitely return to enjoy the island, check out the lighthouse and come fully prepared for some anti-spiders measures. There’s also a tour led by the ranger/friends of the Rock Island org (not sure which) and SUP/kayak rental as well.
Scout
Beautiful campground, wonderful company but horrible staff.
Traveler
Quiet, big gravel sites. Lots of shade and big trees. Big rig friendly with a view in the distance of the water.
Guide
Spacious lots. Variety of lots. Some shaded some open. Clean bathrooms. Very nice
Camping near Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, offers a great mix of nature and activities, making it a fantastic spot for your next outdoor adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ellison Bay, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ellison Bay, WI offers a wide range of camping options, with 77 campgrounds and RV parks near Ellison Bay, WI and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Ellison Bay, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ellison Bay, WI is Wagon Trail Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 32 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ellison Bay, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Ellison Bay, WI.
What parks are near Ellison Bay, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Ellison Bay, WI that allow camping, notably Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Sleeping Bear Dunes.
