9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks and wilderness areas surrounding Ellison Bay, Wisconsin offer exceptional backcountry tent camping opportunities with Lake Michigan shoreline access. Newport State Park, Wisconsin's only designated wilderness state park, features 16-17 walk-in tent sites ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 miles from parking areas. Just offshore, Rock Island State Park provides tent-only camping accessible via two ferry rides from the mainland, with all sites requiring a hike from the dock. Both parks maintain primitive tent campsites with minimal development, preserving the natural setting along Door County's scenic peninsula.
Most tent campsites in the Ellison Bay region require preparation for primitive conditions. Newport's sites include fire rings, bear boxes for food storage, and rustic pit toilets shared between nearby sites. Potable water is available only at the park office and main parking areas, requiring campers to either carry in water or filter from Lake Michigan. Rock Island provides water at the boathouse near the ferry dock, but campers must transport it to their sites. The terrain varies from wooded areas to shoreline settings with rocky or sandy beaches. Seasonal considerations include spring ice on Lake Michigan through April and intense mosquito activity during summer months. Early reservations are essential, particularly for Newport's waterfront sites.
In early fall, tent campers experience significantly reduced crowds at both parks. According to reviews, Newport's Site 12 offers exceptional privacy with a two-mile hike and direct lake access. One visitor noted, "The stars at this park are amazing on a dark night as it is a dark sky area with no man-made light within many miles." Campers frequently mention the solitude, with one reporting, "I've been for 2 separate 3-day trips and never once saw another camper." Rock Island visitors appreciate the walk-in tent sites that are "right on the water, in a beautiful stand of cedars." The primitive tent camping near Ellison Bay at both parks provides a stark contrast to the busier, more developed campgrounds elsewhere in Door County.
"We hiked to site 16 but ended up hiking back to site 1 because there was still quite a bit of ice on Lake Michigan by site 16. Both campsites had a fire ring, camp bench seats and bear boxes."
"wildlife (kinda, not really)."
from $19 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Rock island SP is a dark sky spot and combine that with lesser people around, it was a perfect location for stargazing!"
"Hands down our favorite Wisconsin State Park! Great day or weekend trip! You have to take a Ferry from Washington Island and carry/backpack on your gear (no cars or bikes allowed)."
from $21 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Lots of tree cover to protect from winds and plenty of firewood. Well worth it"
"This area is gorgeous, it's surrounded by lake superior, and there is a really neat old lighthouse with pit toilets at the end of the road.."
"Manitou Island is part of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore and is located in Lake Michigan and offers days of discovery to be had. To get to N."
"Fires are only permitted in the Village Campsite at the island's entrance & you cannot camp within 300 ft of the beach."
"Weather Station Campground is located on South Manitou Island and offers 20 individual sites and 3 group sites nearby. "
"A relatively short hike and simple hike, Weather Station offers some great scenic views of Lake Michigan."
"The first place we stayed was nice, but super busy because there was a beach and lake. This place wasn't very busy because it was a bit isolated from other campgrounds."
"Friendly staff, plenty of space to spread out, really nice not to be so close to your neighbors! Beautiful area you can't go wrong here"
from $10 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $20 / night
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ScoutClean, it has a park for children, clean bathrooms, close to everything, reasonable price. I called last minute on Saturday and they got me a spot right away. I suppose to check out at noon Sunday but they allow us to stay longer with no extra charge so the kids can still playing during the day. (No every rv park allow that) so thank you guys 👌
RangerThe first thing we noticed driving in is that the wash house closes today 10/14 at 4 PM for the season, which isn’t an issue for us. Open sites, walkways to a rocky beach, but also trail to a sandy beach. Our site is not level.
GuideNice campground. Some with full hook up and some with just water and electricity. We were on site 404 with just water and electricity. There are a couple of business next to the campground, so can't really touch base with nature. But it is home base. One major bathroom and the rest is porta potties. Nice staff and accommodations are clean.
LegendThis is a lovely campground for families. Easy access to the lake for fishing and kayaking. The water side sites are great! Clean facilities and hot showers. Our next door site neighbors had 12 kids between their 2 sites. You can imagine we did not have a peaceful experience here. Neither the parents nor Camp host gave 2 hoots about quiet hours. The kids were screaming and running through our campsite well after 11 pm each night. Which leads me to my only 2 issues with this campground. There are few cut-throughs to access the bathrooms, so at any moment a stranger could be found unapologetically walking right thru your site. Issue two… I urge you to stead clear of booking site 810. The dishwashing/water station is located inside this site. Not near the road like the rest of them but, inside the site. We spent our evening with either screaming children using it as “safe” zone for freeze-tag, or the entire loop washing their dishes. Not fun….
TravelerClean, large sites, many shaded. Excellent management. Lots to do on the peninsula.
GuideCampground is situated in an industrial area…warehouses, truck storage, etc. It does have a 150 ft narrow sand beach on a bay in Lake Michigan. Campground is a flat somewhat charmless place with tight spots. All the “full hook-ups” appear to be farthest from the water. Seems like a good amount of seasonal folks here escaping from midwestern heat. Bathrooms and showers are centrally located and are VERY clean and nice. We’re here just one night so no complaints but I wouldn’t stay longer than that.
TravelerI absolutely loved it here first time staying and will be back many more! Would've given 5 starts if the sites had electricity, but theres still plug in over by the pavilion. Definitely a gem of a find.!!!!
ScoutVery affordable, quite, bathrooms super clean and people super nice.
ScoutVery nice campground lots to offer quiet relaxing with stuff to do to keep kiddos very busy everything is well up kept and clean
Tent campsites near Ellison Bay, Wisconsin range from backcountry island experiences to shoreline sites with minimal development. The region sits on the northern Door Peninsula, characterized by limestone bluffs and dense cedar forests. Winter temperatures typically range from 10°F to 25°F, while summer brings averages between 65°F and 80°F with frequent fog along the shoreline.
Hike to remote lighthouse locations: South Manitou Island offers a unique backcountry experience with a hike to its historic lighthouse. "The campground is located on a sandy bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and the mainland with picturesque places to enjoy your morning coffee," notes one visitor to Weather Station Campground.
Explore abandoned settlements: North Manitou Island provides opportunities to discover historical remnants. "The old village and scattered ruins and structures make for interesting stops. Visiting the cemetery was an ethereal experience as the sun began to set," writes a camper at North Manitou Island Backcountry Campsites.
Stargaze from dark sky areas: Peninsula State Park offers exceptional night sky viewing from its campgrounds. "I was able to see the sunset one night and the sunrise the next. I love this campground," shares a camper about the stargazing opportunities.
Wilderness isolation: Many campers appreciate the solitude at Newport State Park. "Well compared to the human petting zoo and three ring circus at Peninsula State Park, and by not settling and pressing on, I found what I consider to be the perfect park. Newport State Park in Elison Bay, WI is secluded, pristine and quiet," remarks one visitor to Newport State Park Campground.
Ferry access adventures: Rock Island's unique access requirements create a memorable experience. "Rock Island is an amazing gem in our state. It takes some extra work and planning to get to, but the reward is worth it," explains a camper at Rock Island State Park Campground.
Beach access: Peninsula Point offers stunning waterfront tent sites. "We camped one night at the first dispersed site and had a great view of the lake from the site. The sunset was incredible," reports a camper about this hidden gem location.
Weather considerations: The Door Peninsula experiences significant temperature fluctuations. "The island gets very windy and cold at night. Be prepared and bring extra layers! On the plus side, bugs were very very minimal," advises a camper about Rock Island.
Water filtration needs: Most backcountry sites require water treatment. "There is no access to clean drinking water at the campground, so plan on filtering water from Lake Michigan, or walking approximately 1.5 miles to the dock area to collect water there," explains a visitor to Weather Station Campground.
Bathroom facilities: Expect rustic facilities at most tent sites. "Campsites feature fire rings and rustic outhouses. Some protect your modesty just up to the shoulders, leaving you free to watch the birds as you answer nature's call," notes a camper at Welcker's Point Campground.
Choose sites with shorter hikes: Some campsites are more accessible than others. "This spot is a yearly favorite. It's probably retained its fresh quiet feel because all the campsites are walk-in... but you don't have to walk that far. Some are just half a mile in!" recommends a Newport State Park visitor.
Pack light but essential: When camping on islands, strategic packing matters. "When you backpack in and out you are thinking about what you need and what will fit in the pack. Efficiency is key," advises an experienced Newport camper.
Be prepared for insects: Bug protection is crucial during peak season. "Pit toilet was fine but bring your own toilet paper. Only place we found garbage receptacles was in parking lot of service building," warns a Newport visitor about practical considerations.
Limited RV options: Most camping in the region is tent-focused with minimal RV infrastructure. "This park is highly sought after. Electric and non-electric sites available, if you are camping RV style, you may want to check out the site you would like to reserve to be sure it will accommodate your vehicle," advises a visitor to Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is minimal throughout the area. "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," notes a camper at Welcker's Point.
Water quality issues: Some mainland campgrounds have mineral-rich water. "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," reports a Welcker's Point visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ellison Bay, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ellison Bay, WI is Newport State Park with a 4.8-star rating from 33 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Ellison Bay, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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