51 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several good camping spots can be found near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, including High Cliff State Park Campground and Kohler-Andrae State Park. High Cliff has both tent and RV sites with scenic trails throughout the park. Kohler-Andrae Park gives campers sandy beaches to enjoy and plenty of hiking trails to walk. Both parks have restrooms and drinking water for campers. Most people camp here during the warmer months between late spring and early fall when the weather isn't too hot or cold. You should make reservations ahead of time if you're coming during summer weekends since these parks fill up quickly. The Wisconsin DNR website has all the information about availability and how to book a site. Manitowoc's camping areas work well for short weekend trips or longer vacations in the outdoors.
"Point Beach State Forest sits on the Eastern side of Wisconsin along the 5 miles of shores on lake Michigan. This is a wonderful Park."
"This 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). "
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Scheffel's Hideaway Campground Two Rivers, Wisconsin We reserved a site at Scheffel's Hideaway Campground based on a comment from a camping acquaintance that the area was beautiful, friendly, and cooler"
"For families in warmer weather, we did not see a pool or playground but that is not something we look for in September in northern Wisconsin on Lake Michigan."
"Right next to the lake! Indoor Saltwater Pool and Hot Tub!
Pool Restrooms with showers available for Campers!
Cute Mini Golf Onsite!
Location is great!
About 2 Miles from Neshotah Beach!"
"Has a small private balcony overlooking woods and you can sit out front to see the lake from afar.
I also saw the dog friendly Lakeview rooms which had two queens."
from $48 - $78 / night
Check Availability"Great spot that is cheaper than most places nearby. Scott was really nice and got us checked in without any issues. Great location and near to fishing,restaurants and the beach."
"The sites are electric/water and they do have a dump station very close by. The central pond and waterfall were awesome! "
"The only possible downside with small children, as there is no fence around the pond, and there are sites that border the pond.
It is fun to go down by the river and explore."
"This was my first time camping in a Wisconsin state park and I thought it was great! Our site backed up to a trail along the cliff which was awesome for a family that loves to hike."
"Another spacious Wisconsin State Park site. #2 is level and listed as full shade but we had enough sun to recharge our Jackery everyday. It helps that it was blue skies each day!"
from $25 - $50 / night
Check Availability"About 20 minutes from Sheboygan, WI and 2 hours from Chicago, IL, Kohler-Andrae State Park Campground, is a few minutes drive or walk from Lake Michigan."
"We were in route to visiting Green Bay Wisconsin and found this campground on Lake Michigan."
from $21 - $70 / night
Check Availability"The grounds have lots of clear grassy areas and there are lots of family and kids games, a pond with a beach, and some walking trail."
"Most with electric 30/50 amp and a beautiful lake with many family friendly things to do. The people are friendly and they have clean showers and bathrooms along with laundry."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability
TravelerVery friendly and very clean. 1 swimming pond 2 fishing ponds volleyball courts and 2 off leash dog areas. Showers are free and they have a huge kid play area along with a seasonal swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutWe have been seasonal campers for many years! When we first started, everyone was very nice and we always had a great time. Each years the rules change a bit which is common.The last three years have been horrible! We have had nothing but issues that I brought up to the staff many times. I have had the workers ask me if I was f***in stupid, people stealing stuff off our lot, telling our guest we don’t camp there( even tho they knew they were coming for my daughters birthday party), and much more. They are extremely Strict on the 5 mph. They will scream at you if they see Gravel dust as you drive. The campground is not well maintained. I wish things would not have ended the way it has. I’m happy we found a better family friendly campground to be at where my kids are not scared to be playing in our lot!
LegendGreat campground! Friendly staff and meticulously clean restrooms! Free showers and only $2.00 for laundry. Some of the sites are seemingly conjoined for lack of privacy in between however, most are level and all have fire pits as well as picnic tables. Easy lake access and playgrounds for the kiddos. Had to try out the bouncy house ourselves and had a blast! All in all, a wonderful stay.
GuideOverall this is a very nice campground. Not huge compared to other state parks, but not super small or quiet. Very family friendly. There is a very nice beach, as well as a few hiking trails on the property as well. The hiking trails are dog friendly, but the beach is not- you have to take your dog to the dog-friendly section of the beach, they aren’t allowed on the standard beach. Not too many bugs and no problematic wildlife.
T-Mobile had one to two bars of LTE (not 5G signal) depending on where you were. Good enough to send a text or make a (slow) Google search.
ScoutMy family has been camping at Mauthe Lake for decades, and every year we have to deal with camp hosts and rangers constantly monitoring us. We follow the rules and do not cause disruptions, and yet they constantly chew us out for very minor things. It makes me feel as if we’re not welcome on these grounds.
ScoutVer nice campground. Was very clean and quiet and good shade and trees in the rustic camp area
ScoutBeach was beautiful! Our site was nice and big.
ScoutNice host, low key, good size lots, dog friendly
ScoutThis is not a campground, it is an extended stay facility. No sewer hookups, on upper level of camping, no dump station. Air smells like the feedlot just east of the highway.
No tree limbs cleared for tall rigs, and dead limbs sticking out near roadside remain uncleared, to hit side of your rig. Lower campground is scary to drive through! Kids roaming and screaming, broke down cars......
Beware! Not a pleasant place to get in/out or exist.
Manitowoc, Wisconsin camping areas feature sandy beaches along Lake Michigan's western shore at an elevation of approximately 600 feet above sea level. The camping season typically runs from May through October with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during the day and cooler nights in the 50s. Most campgrounds in the area offer electric hookups with varying levels of shower and restroom facilities.
Lighthouse exploration: At Point Beach State Forest, you can visit the Rawley Point Lighthouse. "The lighthouse cannot be toured, but can be admired from the outside. There is a nice lodge and camp store right on the lake, complete with a quaint restaurant where we got breakfast on the weekend as well as ice cream," notes one camper.
Beach swimming: The man-made swimming pond at Devils River Campground provides a family-friendly swimming alternative to Lake Michigan. "A few years ago they tore out the old small swimming pool and put in a large chemically treated swimming pond. The swimming is pretty good and there is now plenty of space," explains a regular visitor.
Fishing and crayfish hunting: Devils River offers unique fishing opportunities beyond typical lake fishing. "It is fun to go down by the river and explore. One year we caught about 60 crayfish and cooked them on the campstove and ate them," shares a camper who visits annually.
Clean facilities: Scheffel's Hideaway Campground receives high marks for maintenance. "We visited in mid September 2020 and found the hosts to be very very helpful and friendly. They have been in business here for 10 years and it looks like everything is brand new," notes one reviewer who adds "there are spotless restrooms and a laundry area on site."
Trails and hiking: The Ice Age Trail connects to several local campgrounds. "It's along part of the Ice Age Trail that leads to the Lake Michigan Beach. Point Beach State park is also a great place to visit and is only a few minutes up the road," explains a camper at Scheffel's Hideaway.
Indoor amenities: Village Inn on the Lake offers unique features not common at most campsites near Manitowoc. "Right next to the lake! Indoor Saltwater Pool and Hot Tub! Pool Restrooms with showers available for Campers! Cute Mini Golf Onsite!" enthuses one reviewer.
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in Manitowoc County have limited facilities in early spring. At High Cliff State Park Campground, "the uncertain schedule they have for turning on water for the season. First week or two of may is a safe bet, but no promises. They have pit toilets open year round whatever the case."
Water quality concerns: At some campgrounds, drinking water may not be ideal. One camper notes about Point Beach State Forest: "The drinking water is not good so be sure to pack enough. The beaches are very clean and great for walking at different points in the day."
Noise factors: Village Inn on the Lake's location has traffic noise. "It's right off a busy road so you hear the cars all night long... occasionally a wave sound comes through!" shares one visitor.
Beach access considerations: Family-friendly beaches with dog access require planning. "A portion of the beach is dog friendly, so if that's important to you then try and get a site close to the dog friendly portion (south of the lighthouse), otherwise it's a good mile walk from the other end of the campground to the dog area," advises a Point Beach State Forest visitor.
Playground access: Rainbows End Campground offers family recreation options. "The grounds have lots of clear grassy areas and there are lots of family and kids games, a pond with a beach, and some walking trail," notes a visitor.
Nature education opportunities: Devils River Campground features historical elements worth exploring. "Sometimes they also give a tour of the old mill that is on the grounds. There is a lot of history. Also, if you are into caving, the Maribel caves are only a mile down the road."
Site size considerations: Devils River Campground can present challenges for larger rigs. "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," warns one RV owner.
Dump station timing: Point Beach State Forest has infrastructure limitations. "The dump station gets really backed up at the end of the weekend, so heads up," advises a camper who suggests arriving earlier to avoid wait times.
Electric options: Most campgrounds offer 30-amp service, but some provide 50-amp hookups for larger rigs. At Scheffel's Hideaway Campground, "our site had trees and full hook-ups," reports a satisfied visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Manitowoc County parks?
Manitowoc County offers several camping options within its park system. Village Inn on the Lake near Two Rivers provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water, and toilets. It's also big-rig friendly for RV campers. Scheffel's Hideaway Campground is another excellent option with helpful, friendly hosts and well-maintained facilities that look brand new despite being in operation for years. The county also offers camping at Mapleview Campground and Rainbows End Campground, both featuring reservable sites with basic amenities like water and toilets. Most county park campgrounds are open seasonally from May through October.
Are there RV camping and trailer parking locations in Manitowoc?
Yes, Manitowoc offers several RV-friendly camping options. Seagull Marina and Campground provides both boat-in and drive-in access with reservable sites that accommodate big rigs. Stop-N-Dock Marina & RV Park is another option specifically designed for RVs with boat-in access. For those seeking a unique experience, the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds (about an hour from Manitowoc) offers full hookups in an urban setting. Most RV parks in the area provide electric and water hookups, with dump stations available. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer months, as RV sites tend to fill quickly in this popular Lake Michigan region.
Where are the best campgrounds near Manitowoc, WI?
The Manitowoc area offers several excellent camping options. Point Beach State Forest is a standout choice located on Lake Michigan with access to sandy beaches, hiking trails, and a lighthouse. The campground features clean facilities and a lodge with a camp store and restaurant. Another top option is Devils River Campground, which offers electric/water sites and a dump station. This smaller, reservation-only campground is known for being quiet on weekdays while livelier on weekends due to seasonal campers. Other nearby options include Kohler-Andrae State Park and Harrington Beach State Park, both offering scenic sites with good privacy and access to Lake Michigan.
What fishing opportunities are available at Manitowoc camping areas?
Manitowoc camping areas offer diverse fishing opportunities. Mauthe Lake Campground in the Kettle Moraine State Forest provides excellent fishing in a beautiful lake setting. The campground is known for good fishing access and is popular among anglers seeking a variety of fish species. High Cliff State Park Campground offers fishing opportunities along Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest inland lake. Fishing is also available along the Lake Michigan shoreline at several campgrounds, with opportunities to catch salmon, trout, and other Great Lakes species. Most camping areas near water bodies provide shore fishing access, and some have boat launches or rentals available for accessing deeper waters.
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