Tent camping around Ephraim, Wisconsin offers unique experiences within the Great Lakes region. The area sits along the Green Bay side of Door Peninsula with elevations ranging from 580 to 780 feet above sea level. Campers encounter a microclimate influenced by Lake Michigan and Green Bay, resulting in cooler summers and milder winters than inland locations, though weather can change rapidly with strong winds coming off the water.
What to Do
Stargazing opportunities: Newport State Park is Wisconsin's only designated Dark Sky Park, making it ideal for astronomical viewing. The park earned International Dark-Sky designation in 2017, offering campers exceptional opportunities to see the Milky Way and other celestial features. As one camper noted, "We caught northern lights, Milky Way, and glorious sights every day" at Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road.
Monarch butterfly migration: Plan your visit to coincide with the monarch migration at Peninsula Point Lighthouse. One visitor mentioned they "would love to be there for the monarch migration," while another described watching "a monarch butterfly come out of its chrysalis" at the nature center.
Island exploration: Take a day trip or overnight stay at Rock Island State Park, accessible by two ferry rides. "The island is beautiful with loads of history as well as natural beauty," explains one camper. Another visitor added, "The boathouse on Rock Island is stunning, worth the trip just to see that, and the light house also cool."
What Campers Like
Quiet morning water access: Many tent sites at Newport provide direct beach access for early morning swims. One camper at campsite 10 mentioned it was "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" rather than sand.
Tent site seclusion: Campers value the privacy between sites at Newport State Park. One review states, "The sites are far enough apart that even when the park is busy, campers report rarely seeing others at their lakeside locations." Another camper confirmed, "I've been for 2 separate 3-day trips and never once saw another camper."
Iron-free water sources: Water quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Welcker's Point in Peninsula State Park, one camper warned, "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."
What You Should Know
Connectivity limitations: Cell phone coverage is spotty throughout Door Peninsula camping areas. At Welcker's Point Campground, one camper reported, "Site 85 had absolutely zero T-Mobile and Verizon signal. Our phones were in SOS Mode." Even satellite internet options faced challenges: "Brought the Starlink dish, but the tree cover was too thick for it to work."
Seasonal insect patterns: May brings seasonal mayflies to some camping areas. A camper at Newport observed, "In May there is an abundance of flies that were swirling around. Found out later these are seasonal 'may flies' and they are everywhere." They also mentioned surprise at "the number webs that would pop up overnight on every trail we hiked."
Weather preparation: The area experiences significant temperature drops after sunset, especially on Rock Island. A camper cautioned, "The island gets very windy and cold at night. Be prepared and bring extra layers! On the plus side, bugs were very very minimal."
Tips for Camping with Families
Ferry planning: Allow extra time when bringing children to Rock Island State Park. "As its name implies, this park is an island, so a small boat (passengers only, no cars) will take you over to it," explains one camper. Another adds, "The ferrys are first come first serve. If you want to get on the first ferry, get down there early."
Kid-friendly open spaces: Rock Island offers large open areas for children to play. A parent noted, "The boat docks next to an old boathouse, which sits in a big mowed field. It's a great spot for kids to play. We had a great time with flying kites and playing soccer!"
Beach accessibility considerations: With children, choose sites with easier beach access. At Newport, one family mentioned, "Beach was covered in crushed shells so shoes a must. Water shoes even better if you want to wade in."
Tips from RVers
Limited options for larger vehicles: Tent camping dominates near Ephraim with few accommodations for larger RVs. At Welcker's Point, a visitor observed, "Most of the fellow campers were in tents, although there were a few pop-ups and RVs." Another camper advised, "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."
Cart availability: Some campgrounds offer carts to transport gear from parking areas. A camper at Rock Island mentioned, "A few carts are provided to haul gear if needed," while a family staying at Newport reported, "We were there with a younger child and for 4 nights so decided to pull some of our stuff in via a cart which was no problem so we could have a cooler, table, small chairs, etc."
Quiet evening environments: RV campers appreciate the lack of generator noise at tent-focused campgrounds. One visitor to Welcker's Point noted, "I didn't hear a peep from anyone after 10pm, which is a nice change from some other campsites I've visited."
