Door County's campgrounds offer a mix of wooded privacy and public amenities that draw visitors throughout the camping season, typically May through October. Winter camping is limited to Potawatomi State Park's Daisy Field Campground, which remains open year-round. Most campgrounds are located along the Door Peninsula's shores, providing easy access to both Lake Michigan and Green Bay waterways, with elevation changes from shoreline to the Niagara Escarpment providing variable terrain for hikers.
What to do
Explore hiking trails with elevation changes: Newport State Park offers 30 miles of ungroomed, heavily wooded trails. One camper reported, "We hiked over 26 miles of trails at this park and everyone was beautiful. However we were slightly disappointed that there weren't more views of the lakes, as most of the trails were set in just far enough off the coast to obstruct all views."
Visit historical lighthouses: Peninsula State Park features a historic lighthouse with tours. According to a visitor, "After talking to a helpful ranger we decided to also go to the light house. The light house is beautiful and has a wonderful view. You can go on tours of it but we were too late to go on one."
Enjoy water activities: Beaches throughout the peninsula provide swimming and paddling opportunities. At Tennison Bay Campground, "There are 3 beaches within biking distance," and many campers appreciate the "great kayaking" opportunities throughout the area.
Participate in seasonal events: Many campgrounds host special themed weekends. Rustic Timbers Door County Camping features "Christmas in July" when "many campers had decorated. There were hayrides to view the decorations."
What campers like
Dark sky stargazing: Newport State Park is designated as Wisconsin's only International Dark Sky Park. A camper noted, "We had clear night skies which was truly breathtaking." Another mentioned they "stayed in hammocks and tents which made it super easy. It's a great location for stars!"
Wooded privacy: Baileys Woods Campground provides secluded sites. One reviewer appreciated that "For a private campground, the sites were large and wooded, overall the campground was clean and quiet." Another camper said it has "Completly wooded camping throughout the campground. Kid and pet friendly including a very fun playground."
Central location for exploring: Most campgrounds are within 5-15 minutes of Door County attractions. A Baileys Woods camper noted, "It is located within a 2 to 5 minute drive from Baileys Harbor on Lake Michigan. Plenty to do in the area including swimming in Lake Michigan, kangaroo lake along with beautiful hiking, shopping, kayaking, the list goes on!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds prioritize cleanliness. At Wagon Trail Campground, "The bathrooms were comparable to Fort Wilderness," and another camper noted, "They are well-known for having the cleanest bathrooms/showers in the area and their bathrooms did not disappoint!"
What you should know
Reservations timeline: Book 4-6 months ahead for summer weekends. For Wagon Trail Campground, "The campsites on weekends get booked up months in advance and even on weekdays there are slim pickings for last minute camping adventures in the summer months."
Poison ivy presence: Watch for poison ivy, especially at Peninsula State Park. A camper warned, "Watch out for poison ivy, it's everywhere. Same with mosquitoes. But that's the beauty of outdoors, right? So be very careful, especially when you camp with your four legged friends."
Site variability: Waterfront sites fill fastest. One Peninsula camper advised, "We had a site in the interior that was very quiet with the sound of birds chirping the only noise we could hear."
Weather preparedness: Lake effect can create rapid temperature changes. At Potawatomi State Park, "We had a cold wet week but still so much to do."
Seasonal insect activity: Spring brings mayflies to Newport State Park. A camper noted, "In May there is an abundance of flies that were swirling around. Found out later these are seasonal 'may flies' and they are everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with recreational facilities: Rustic Timbers Door County Camping offers numerous child-friendly amenities. A visitor noted, "In the campground there is a very nice store with a snack bar, ice cream and adult beverages. There is a nice pool and playground for children." Another mentioned "They have fun kid things but you have to pay extra to use them."
Look for accessible trails: Peninsula State Park features family-friendly hiking options. One parent shared, "We hiked the minnehaha trail from our campsite and did the eagle trail loop which while rated difficult was really manageable for most of the trail and my two year who hikes frequently enjoyed doing many sections of the trail on his own two feet."
Check for shallow swimming areas: Beach depths vary across locations. At Peninsula State Park, "The water by our campsite was rocky but the main beach area was sandy and shallow for a ways out."
Consider walk-in camping distance: Newport State Park offers hike-in sites at various distances. A family camper advised, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions and access: Potawatomi State Park accommodates various RV sizes. A camper noted, "The site is awesome. It's heavily wooded with lots of space between sites."
Electrical hookup options: Peninsula State Park offers limited electrical sites. According to a reviewer, "Not many of the sites have electric. We're okay with that."
Surface conditions: Many Door County sites have gravel pads rather than grass. At Wagon Trail, a camper noted, "The sites are decent sized, with wooded area in between the sites. There is no grass on your site though, the ground is all gravel."
Septic services: Some campgrounds offer flexible septic options. At Frontier Wilderness, "I was worried about not having a sewer hookup but their free pump service more than made up for it."
Privacy considerations: Site selection varies by campground section. At Rustic Timbers, "We were assigned site 339 and in our opinion lucked out with the best site possible in our category. We were nicely surrounded by woods with minimal visibility of our neighbors."
