Camping near South Range, Wisconsin centers around state parks and family-oriented facilities with river access and waterfall views. The region sits on rocky terrain formed by glacial activity with elevations between 700-1200 feet. Campgrounds typically open from May through October with peak visitation in July and August when daytime temperatures average 75-85°F.
What to do
Waterfall hikes and photography: Pattison State Park Campground provides direct access to Wisconsin's tallest waterfall, Manitou Falls. "Great campground! Most of the sites are perfect for tent camping or glamping. Clean and each site is well separated and lots of trees. Manitou Falls is a short walk away and is incredible," notes Jim H. after his stay at Pattison State Park Campground.
Kayaking and canoeing: Located on a bay off the St. Louis River, Indian Point City Campground offers water recreation opportunities with dedicated launches. "This campground is wonderful. You are so close to the downtown area in this hidden cove. There are walking/biking trails around the grounds. There are few mosquitoes and the staff is very friendly," says Michael K. about Indian Point City Campground.
Mountain biking: Spirit Mountain Campground connects directly to trail systems. "Heavily wooded and beautiful! Very close to Duluth. It is a mountain bikers paradise. Loved it!" reports Michelle P., highlighting the Spirit Mountain Campground accessibility to trails.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: The Backyard at Amnicon Lake offers sites with good separation. "Site 35 had electricity and water. No privacy or separation between sites, as would be expected in an RV park. We weren't sure the site would be level, but it was once we maneuvered our van a bit," explains Lee D. about The Backyard at Amnicon Lake.
Clean facilities: Jay Cooke State Park Campground maintains modern bathrooms. "The restroom/shower facility is very new and has my favorite layout where there is one main area with toilets and sinks and separate rooms accessible from the outside for private shower rooms," notes Krista T. about her experience at Jay Cooke State Park Campground.
Convenient location: Lakehead Boat Basin provides urban camping near Duluth attractions. "It's city camping, but it's a good spot to hang out for a few days to enjoy Duluth. Tip: If you don't need a sewer hookup, go for the higher numbered sites with electric and water only for better views," advises Ari A. about staying at Lakehead Boat Basin.
What you should know
Reservation options vary: Many campgrounds in the region don't accept advance bookings. "This campground does not take reservations. It is on a first come basis. We had no problem finding a place to park here," shares Anni O. about Fond du Lac City Campground.
Rocky soil challenges: Prepare for difficult tent staking in the region. "I was glad I brought a rubber mallet for my tent stakes, the ground was pretty rocky and hard," warns Kim H. about her stay at Amnicon Falls State Park Campground.
Wildlife and insects: Bug protection is essential during summer months. "It was pretty buggy and ticks were bad, but that's to be expected. Bog/marsh was beautiful with some wildlife and was generally a very pleasant place to camp," explains Lydia N. from Jay Cooke State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: Buffalo Valley Camping offers multiple recreation options. "Nice campground with clean port-a-johns all over the place. Our site backed up to a pond. Clean showers," notes Lyle B. about Buffalo Valley Camping.
Budget-friendly options: Anchor Inn Campground provides economical rates. "You can't beat the price ($14/night for electric up to 50 amps). The woman I booked the reservation through was really nice and laid back. The campground is quiet, chill and safe," shares Whitney about her stay at Anchor Inn.
Child-friendly waters: Many campgrounds feature shallow areas for cooling off. "A beautiful, smaller park. We tent camped with our littles (2 & under) & they had a blast walking & sitting in the water near the Falls. There are countless locations on the Falls for your family to get cozy & enjoy the water," explains KampW/Babies about Amnicon Falls.
Tips from RVers
Dumping stations: Plan your waste management carefully. "No dumpstation at the campground for RVs but you can use the dumpstation at Pattison SP which is about 30 minutes," advises Mark J. from Amnicon Falls State Park.
Generator restrictions: Many Wisconsin state parks limit generator use. "Wisconsin is loosing there position on the use of generators in there state parks that do not have electric at sites. You need to get the ok from the DNR staff," warns Mark J. about the best places to camp near South Range.
Site selection for large rigs: Choose carefully for larger vehicles. "Sites are (mostly) on grass. Site 35 had electricity and water. No privacy or separation between sites, as would be expected in an RV park," explains Lee D. about The Backyard at Amnicon Lake.
