The Apostle Islands archipelago sits at the northern tip of Wisconsin on Lake Superior, comprising 21 islands covering over 69,000 acres. Winter temperatures in La Pointe can drop below 0°F, while summer averages 75°F. Camping sites in the area range from rustic backcountry spots accessible only by kayak to upscale glamping accommodations with amenities like electricity and private decks.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Watch for black bears and other wildlife at the shoreline campsites. "We had a wonderful weekend there and saw a few black bears. And one even meandered through our camp site. And enjoyed the sounds of the waves and hiked a few of the trails," reports a camper from Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping.
Kayaking to islands: Paddle to multiple islands and campgrounds in the national lakeshore. "We kayaked to many campgrounds and islands in the national lakeshore. paddling a total of 60 miles we were able to make it to 3 different island campgrounds. Bathrooms and picnic tables were at most camp sites, some camp sites were very desolate and rustic," writes a reviewer who stayed at Apostle Islands Area RV Park.
Lighthouse tours: Explore historic lighthouses throughout the islands. "Camped on Sand Island. Kayaked to the island and the next day got to explore the sea caves on the island. There was a nice walking path to the lighthouse, which we were lucky enough to tour!" notes a visitor at Apostle Islands.
Ferry trips: Take the ferry to Madeline Island from Bayfield. "The location is great and we were able to make it to Bayfield. Close to all there is to do in Bayfield," states a visitor at Apostle Islands Area Campground.
What campers like
Swimming opportunities: Enjoy both Lake Superior and smaller swimming areas at campgrounds. "The campground has a swimming hole & great access to Bayfield for island ferry's!" mentions a camper who stayed at Apostle Islands Area Campground.
Spacious, private sites: Many campsites offer good separation between neighbors. "Sites are big and well maintained. We camped in site 64. Would definitely recommend this campground if in the area!" notes a reviewer about the campground.
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower houses receive high marks from visitors. "The bathroom are spotless. Sites are big and well maintained," writes a camper who visited Frontier RV Park and Campground.
Proximity to attractions: Convenient access to both natural areas and town amenities. "This is the best base camp for exploring the Apostle islands. It's about a mile from Bayfield. There is bike rental at Howl bike shop which is walking distance," says a visitor to Apostle Islands Area RV Park.
What you should know
Terrain limitations: Many campgrounds in the area are built on hills or slopes. "The entire campground is in the side of a mountain and there are no flat roads, which makes biking and walking a workout rather than leisure," reports a camper at Apostle Islands Area RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: The best time to visit is late summer through fall. "We went kayaking out here and the caves are awesome!!!! So much fun and lucked out having a nice still day!!!" notes a reviewer about their experience in August.
Watercraft access: Some islands have limitations on boat landing areas. "There's a little dock at the lake but you can't drive your boat down, you have to carry it on foot," reports a visitor at Wanoka Lake Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely throughout the region. "Cell service was really spot (can be a good thing when camping), and I wasn't able to pick up a lot of radio stations either. Still nice to enjoy the quite dark skies," writes a camper at Presque Isle Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Safety with wildlife: Store food properly and know how to respond to bear encounters. "We had to set the trap and reset the trap twice in 30 seconds, after catching two and coming to the conclusion I could be up all night doing this," warns a camper at Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping about rodent activity.
Child-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "Very friendly staff, nice camp store. Sites ok, pretty tight. Quiet place with nice playground," notes a camper at Apostle Islands Area RV Park.
Bathroom access: Choose sites close to facilities when camping with small children. "There is a trash dumpster here, and even a recycling bin, a nice surprise. There is potable water at the campground. Vault toilets here as well," mentions a visitor at Wanoka Lake.
Water safety: Lake Superior has unpredictable conditions; monitor children closely. "It felt like one of those camping sites you see pictures of but never actually exist in real life. We camped right at cliffs edge looking out into the surrounding Porkies and I swear it was real," writes a camper describing their experience at Porcupine Mountains.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete services. "All sites are electric and water and some are full hook up. There are cabins and tent sites as well," reports a visitor at Ottawa National Forest Black River Harbor Campground.
Pull-through sites: Check campground maps for easier access spots. "Nice level gravel pads, some have full hookups. Ok for a one night stopover," notes an RVer who stayed at Alpine Campground.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds maintain functioning dump stations. "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," explains a camper at Frontier RV Park.
Camping near glamping: Many RV parks in the region also offer glamping close to La Pointe, Wisconsin. "We booked this campground so we could spend some time exploring up north. The site we got had full hookups, a fire ring and a picnic table. Not super spacious but the place is clean and the people are friendly," reports an RVer at Frontier RV Park.
