Cabin camping options near Ellison Bay, Wisconsin accommodate a range of budgets and comfort preferences. The area maintains cold, snowy winter seasons with average January temperatures of 20°F, while summer highs typically reach 75-80°F from June through August. Camping season runs primarily from May through mid-October with most facilities closing before the first significant snowfall.
What to do
Explore Lake Michigan beaches: Access multiple swimming areas within a 5-minute drive of Wagon Trail Campground. "This was our first private campground experience and it was marvelous! We enjoyed the playground, the game room, lounge and yoga in the morning," notes one visitor who appreciated the balance of recreation and relaxation.
Visit local bakeries: Walk from your cabin to nearby breakfast spots. "You're a short walk to a great bakery and restaurant," mentions a camper at Wagon Trail. Many visitors make morning walks to local establishments part of their daily routine while staying in Ellison Bay cabins.
Hike woodland trails: Explore forested paths connecting various cabin sites to recreational areas. As one camper shared, "This was one of the most beautiful campground tent sites ever. We had forget-me-nots on our site... and we had the sound of frogs to serenade us at night."
Experience Door County attractions: Base yourself at HTR Door County in Egg Harbor for centralized access. "Great campground. Close to the lake!" mentions a reviewer who found the location convenient for exploring the entire peninsula.
What campers like
Private wooded settings: Many cabins feature natural screening between sites. "The sites were private and spacious. The showers were impeccable," reports a visitor who stayed at Wagon Trail Campground, highlighting the balance between amenities and natural surroundings.
Clean facilities: Regular maintenance of bathroom and shower buildings. One camper at Rustic Timbers Door County Camping noted, "The toilets and showers were just spotless and so clean. That was honestly such a pleasant and welcomed surprise."
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and recreational spaces for children. "We were surprised that each site is pretty wooded making you feel like you don't have neighbors. They have fun kid things," explains a family who appreciated the balance of privacy and entertainment.
Central location: Easy access to Door County attractions from most cabin rentals. According to one visitor at Fish Creek Campground, the location provides a "Super clean campground with great amenities/convenient shop and the staff is wonderful. If you're looking for a laid back place to sit by the fire you'd love it here!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book well in advance, particularly for summer weekends. "We bank from 6-8 sites next to each other. Fantastic place," notes a guest who returns annually to Washington Island Campground, emphasizing the importance of early planning for group gatherings.
Amenity variations: Cabin facilities differ significantly between properties. "Most cabins are positioned to provide privacy from neighboring sites, with access to hiking trails," while others may offer more basic accommodations.
Transportation considerations: Some cabin locations require ferry transportation. "The ferry ride was an unforgettable experience that my 6 year old thoroughly enjoyed," mentions a family who stayed on Washington Island, where all accommodations require boat access.
Winter limitations: Most cabin rentals close seasonally. Only a few properties like Daisy Field Campground remain open year-round, though winter amenities are limited.
Quiet policies: Many campgrounds strictly enforce evening quiet hours. "Quiet time meant quiet time," observed a camper staying during a busy holiday weekend, appreciating the peaceful environment despite full occupancy.
Tips for camping with families
Pack proper bedding: Most cabins provide only basic furniture. "The campsites are large and secluded. When going to visit different towns it is located in a great location to easily get around," notes a visitor at Wagon Trail, emphasizing the importance of bringing all sleeping essentials.
Consider shoulder seasons: Visit during May-June or September-October for fewer crowds. A family at Beantown Campground shared that "This was our first time staying here! The family/employees were very friendly and at check-in gave suggestions of things to do!" noting that staff often have more time for personalized recommendations during less busy periods.
Verify pet policies: Additional fees typically apply for pets in cabins. "They're also very dog friendly! And at no extra charge," mentioned one camper, though policies vary significantly between properties.
Research activity options: Some cabins include access to children's facilities. "We walked the park and for full hook up sites the 300s are nice if you're looking for a more secluded/wooded spot," advised a family staying with young children who appreciated having multiple playground options.
Tips from RVers
Check access routes: Some cabin areas have limitations for larger vehicles. "We were assigned site 339 and in our opinion lucked out with the best site possible in our category. We were nicely surrounded by woods with minimal visibility of our neighbors," notes a camper who initially had concerns about accessibility.
Consider hybrid stays: Some visitors combine cabin and tent camping experiences. One visitor reported, "We tent camped the first night but then a Yurt came up and we snagged that for the next 2 nights with the kiddos," demonstrating flexibility in accommodation styles.
Verify utility access: Electric service varies between cabin options. "The site is awesome. It's heavily wooded with lots of space between sites," comments a visitor at Daisy Field Campground, though not all cabin sites offer full utility hookups.
Pre-plan meal preparation: Kitchen facilities differ significantly between properties. "They have a very nice store with a snack bar, ice cream and adult beverages," notes a visitor who appreciated having on-site food options to supplement cabin cooking.
