Tent campsites near Fish Creek, Wisconsin sit on the western shore of the Door County peninsula where Lake Michigan meets Green Bay. Most camping areas in this region rest at about 600 feet above sea level, with shorelines characterized by limestone outcroppings and cedar-dominated forests. Summer temperatures typically range from 55°F to 80°F, with humidity levels above 70% during July and August.
What to do
Beach swimming at Europe Lake: Newport State Park offers access to both Lake Michigan and the smaller, warmer Europe Lake. "The beach was covered in crushed shells so shoes a must. Water shoes even better if you want to wade in. Wild flowers and butterflies were amazing as was night sky," notes a camper at Newport State Park.
Biking from your campsite: Welcker's Point provides direct access to Peninsula State Park's extensive bike trail network. One visitor reports, "It has easy access to the bike trails in Peninsula State Park. Most of the fellow campers were in tents, although there were a few pop-ups and RVs."
Watch migrating monarchs: The Peninsula Point Lighthouse area becomes a monarch butterfly gathering spot during migration seasons. A camper at Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road shared, "Would love to be there for the monarch migration."
Kayaking on sheltered waters: Old Veterans Lake offers calm waters ideal for beginning paddlers. "It's the perfect lake for kayaking. There is a beach which i hung out at all afternoon with my dog and read a book. We never saw anyone," according to a visitor at Old Veterans Lake County Park.
What campers like
Solitude of wilderness camping: Newport State Park offers Wisconsin's only designated wilderness camping experience. One camper shared, "We hiked into site 7 and were delighted by the trees covered in moss. The site had a food safe and pit toilet. It rained the whole time, but we loved it and want to return."
Multi-day island exploration: Rock Island State Park requires two ferry rides to access but rewards campers with exceptional stargazing. A visitor at Rock Island State Park noted, "We stayed at backpacking site B, which is a little over a mile from the ferry dock. This is where the flush toilets and water are, so prepare for your journey in."
Centralized camping base: Welcker's Point provides a middle-ground location for exploring Door County. "This is in the middle of Door county, centrally located for exploring all Door County has to offer. We were tent camping and our site, I forget the number, as it was years ago, was perfect. Had shade for our tent, and sun as needed," explains a camper at Welcker's Point Campground.
Sunset viewing: Peninsula Point offers unobstructed sunset views over Lake Michigan. A visitor noted, "Great sunset area, pretty drive there. Lighthouse to explore."
What you should know
Drinking water quality: Some campgrounds have mineral-rich water that appears discolored. "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 camper at Welcker's Point.
Cell service limitations: Most Door County campgrounds have limited cellular coverage. A Welcker's Point visitor mentioned, "Site 85 had absolutely zero T-Mobile and Verizon signal. Our phones were in SOS Mode."
Seasonal insect patterns: May flies appear in large numbers during spring months. A Newport State Park camper 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. Spiders were also a bit of a surprise at this site."
Wind exposure concerns: Rock Island campsites can experience significant wind. A camper warned, "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
Fish observation opportunities: Old Veterans Lake offers shallow areas with abundant small fish. "Tons of tiny fish everywhere that are very interactive. The site itself was open, yet private, and very flat," notes a camper.
Ferry logistics planning: For Rock Island visits, arrive early for ferry access. "The ferrys are first come first serve. If you want to get on the first ferry, get down there early," advises a visitor at Rock Island State Park.
Family-friendly frog catching: Old Veterans Lake provides opportunities for amphibian observation. "We come here with the kids every spring. They always catch frogs, fish, and turtles. They also enjoy swimming across, and hiking and biking around the lake," notes one regular visitor.
Pack-in preparation: Newport State Park requires carrying gear to campsites. A camper explains, "With my backpack packed and feeling a little anxious, as if I was up for the two hour hike to campsite 13, it was at the Rowley's Bay Trailhead that I noticed that my phone battery was dead which meant no pictures and no measure of time."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV accommodation: Most Fish Creek area campgrounds primarily cater to tent camping with limited RV infrastructure. At Welcker's Point, "I recently spent 3 days car camping with my tent and bike at Welker's Point campground... Most of the fellow campers were in tents, although there were a few pop-ups and RVs."
Generator restrictions: Noise regulations limit generator use. One visitor at Old Veterans Lake County Park noted, "We did have someone ratted on us for using our generator to supply our CPAPs because there was no electricity or water."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Research campsite sizes before reserving. "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 one Peninsula State Park visitor.
