Kewaunee, Wisconsin sits along the western shore of Lake Michigan at an elevation of approximately 584 feet above sea level. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with July temperatures averaging 70°F. Winter camping options are limited due to lake effect weather conditions, with snowfall averaging 45 inches annually.
What to do
Explore the lighthouse area: Point Beach State Forest has a historic lighthouse where visitors can learn about maritime history. "The campground is situated across from Lake Michigan, with access to trails, sand-ridged beaches and a lighthouse (the lighthouse cannot be toured, but can be admired from the outside)," notes Renee R. about Point Beach State Forest.
Hike local trails: The area features several hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. "There are miles of popular, well-kept walking/bicycle paths nearby going from Point Rawley to the north, past the park and on to Manitowoc to the south," explains Judy P. from Scheffel's Hideaway Campground.
Visit local caves: Natural formations near Maribel offer unique exploration opportunities. "If you go when it is raining you won't be able to go in many of the caves as they become flooded but it does make some really cool waterfalls!" shares M E. about Devils River Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers repeatedly mention the importance of well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms/showers were very clean and well kept. They also had laundry services!" writes M E. about Devils River Campground's amenities.
Spacious sites: At Bay Shore Park, campers appreciate the room to spread out. "The sites were nice and wooded with lots of privacy," reports Ken G., who stayed in the primitive area.
Lake access: Proximity to Lake Michigan is a major draw. "We were within a minute of Lake Michigan," states Joe C. who stayed at Big Lake Campground. This location makes it convenient for swimming and fishing.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "There are bat houses, bird houses and feeders (we watched goldfinches as we ate dinner several times)," mentions Judy P. about the amenities at Scheffel's Hideaway.
What you should know
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have water concerns. "The drinking water is not good so be sure to pack enough," warns Terry L. about Point Beach State Forest.
Seasonal closures: Many facilities operate on limited schedules. "Campground will be closed until May 24, 2024 for maintenance on the waterlines," notes Laura M. regarding Point Beach State Forest.
Site drainage: Weather can affect camping conditions significantly. "Rain does cause many of the spots to flood," cautions Celeste D. about Bay Shore Park.
Off-season facilities: Services may be reduced outside peak periods. "The automated pay system insisted we pay for 2 nights since they considered Thursday to be a weekend night. This is just silly. Thursday is NOT a weekend night," reports Ken G. about Bay Shore Park's policies.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with children, dedicated play spaces are important. "There is a nice playground and aesthetically pleasing! Our site had own fire pit, and owners were extremely nice!" reports Joyce S. about Scheffel's Hideaway Campground.
Swimming options: Several locations offer water recreation. "We loved our time at Cedar Valley this weekend. The owners were very nice, our site was enormous and the campground was so quiet. Our kids enjoyed the pool and playgrounds," shares April P. about Cedar Valley Campground.
Special occasions: Some campground staff go above and beyond for celebrations. "Stayed there for our daughters birthday weekend. The owners overheard us talking as we checked in and brought her campfire colors as a gift all wrapped," writes Mark about Kewaunee RV & Campground.
Open spaces: Areas for active play benefit families with energetic children. "This is a great spot for kids..although there isnt swimming there are 2 playgrounds and lots of space to play frisbee or run around," explains Kristine M. about Bay Shore Park.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: RV campers should check for flat terrain. "The sites were pretty level," notes Mark about Kewaunee RV & Campground, making setup easier for larger vehicles.
Hookup positioning: Utility access can be challenging at some locations. "The electric and water hookups were on opposite sides of the site, and we had to keep adjusting the travel trailer to get both to actually hook up," warns Nikki & Mike about their experience at Bay Shore Park.
WiFi reliability: Internet connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "WiFi is too slow to stream. We used our T-Mobile hot spot instead," advises Deb N. about Big Lake Campground's internet service.
Site spacing for larger rigs: Some campgrounds have tight quarters. "We have a 30 foot camper and the site we were on, let's just say we had a hell of a time backing up and smashed one of our back windows in the truck that's how tight it was," cautions Renee S. about Devils River Campground.
Pet friendly camping near Kewaunee, Wisconsin includes opportunities for dogs to enjoy Lake Michigan with their owners at designated beach areas, though most require leashes except when actively swimming.
