Campgrounds near Hurley, Wisconsin provide outdoor access in a region known for its dense northern forests and proximity to Lake Superior shoreline. The area sits at the border of Michigan's Upper Peninsula at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 55-80°F. Late May through mid-October offers the most reliable camping conditions, though some campgrounds remain open year-round.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 5 miles north of Hurley at Black River Harbor Campground offers access to multiple cascades. "The real gem of this place is the location. The Black River Falls are an astounding bit of Michigan scenery just minutes away by car. We decided to take a 7 mile out-and-back hike that brought us past five of the falls—each one far exceeding the expectations of this downstater."
Lake Superior beach combing: 16 miles northwest of Hurley at Little Girl's Point County Park provides rocky shoreline for agate hunting. "A true hidden gem! The center for agate hunting, better have a good eye & lots of luck. They are there, but few & far between. Still fun to walk the beach and pick up rocks."
Scenic hiking trails: 25 miles east in the Porcupine Mountains. "Camped at Presque Isle in the Porkies for a long weekend in October. The color change was amazing! The hiking throughout this park is unparalleled in its beauty. The park has a ski lift we rode to check out the views from the top of the mountain, as well as an 18 hole disc course."
What campers like
Lakefront sites: Direct views of Lake Superior at several campgrounds. "This is a municipal park, right on the shores of Lake superior. A beautiful little park, with a great playground and a boat launch. Each site has a picnic table fire pit and grill. Water and electric are provided with your $40 a night Lakeside campsite or $35 park campsite."
Wooded privacy: Dense forest sites at Dalrymple Park and Campground provide natural screening between sites. "City-run campgrounds can be of variable quality, and the Bayfield community campground at Dalrymple city park really sets the bar high. The quality of this campground is on a par with a small state park! Set in a deep old forest of tall shady trees, the campsites are large, spacious, well kept and in pristine quality."
Budget-friendly options: County parks often offer lower rates. "The price is hard to beat at $20 a night, period. No taxes, entrance fees, reservation fees, none of that." Little Girl's Point provides basic amenities at reasonable prices compared to private RV parks in the Hurley area.
What you should know
Limited water access: Many rustic sites don't offer full hookups. "They provide great sites with terrific views and electricity. That's it. No water. No dump facilities. No fire wood. No store, ice, etc." Come prepared with filled tanks when heading to county parks around Hurley.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close by mid-October. At Curry Park Campground in Ironwood, "Very nice and clean city park, right in town on the main road. The sites are all open and have zero privacy between them, but there was still a calm friendly vibe at the park. FHU sites are $35/night, power only is $25, tents are $15."
Black flies in summer: Peak season visitors should come prepared. "Black flies. They. Are. EVERYWHERE. We went early-mid July and it was so bad we left with at least 20 bites each. Deet does nothing. In fact, we were told by a local that 'no bug spray works, any spray that says it does is lying.' All you can do is either hide in your car and hope they don't fly in or buy a solid anti-itch stick."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and beaches: Several campgrounds feature kid-friendly amenities. "This little campground gives you a neighborhood feel. Play area has 3 swings, 2 are broken but there was only one toddler here during our visit. Showers in bathroom, typical campground style."
Waterfalls with accessible trails: Copper Falls State Park Campground offers family-friendly hiking. "I can't say enough awesome things about this park. The hiking trails and scenery are top notch, the variety of camping options are extensive and the quality of the sites are excellent. The trails were well maintained, especially the waterfall trail (Doughboys). Lots of overlook platforms and a selfy station."
Budget for shower quarters: Coin-operated showers are common in this region. "The facilities were not in great condition. The place was kind of run down. Lots of things didn't work. You could get a hot shower for a $0.25." Bring extra quarters if camping with kids who need regular showers.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Many campgrounds can't accommodate large motorhomes. "I would not recommend this campground for anything larger than a pop up or teardrop. The sites are close together and hilly. The road to the back area where we stayed in 25 was narrow."
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal. "There is not a true dump station, only a spot near the bathroom that you can pull up to dump, but then you have to back out of it." Some RV parks near Hurley have dump stations on hills that can be challenging for longer rigs.
Early arrival recommended: Popular sites at Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping fill quickly. "This is a first come first served park. We were able to find a spot before 1pm but the park filled up by 3-4pm. There was steady traffic of disappointed RVs driving through the grounds till 6-7pm." When visiting Hurley area RV parks during peak season, aim to arrive by early afternoon.
