Campgrounds near Marengo, Wisconsin offer access to northern Wisconsin's forested landscapes and waterways at elevations ranging from 900-1200 feet above sea level. The area experiences distinct seasons with winter temperatures often dropping below freezing and summer highs averaging in the 70s to 80s°F. Most forest campgrounds operate seasonally from May through mid-October with limited winter accessibility due to snowfall.
What to do
Kayaking adventures: Visitors to Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping can explore sea caves along Lake Superior's shoreline. "Went kayaking out here and the caves are awesome!!!! So much fun and lucked out having a nice still day!!!" reports Jordan L. Some campers paddle between islands: "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."
Waterfall viewing: The region contains numerous cascades within short driving distance. "If you like waterfalls, then this is the area that you want to visit. You can hike here and see 3 different waterfalls or take a short drive to numerous others in the area," notes Jeanne M. about Copper Falls State Park Campground.
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide direct or nearby water entry points. "It is shallow enough to 'swim' there," mentions Ryan S. about Lake Superior access at Dalrymple Park, though noting "it's not an easy trek to get down to the shore." Visitors can also find freshwater sources: "You can follow it all the way to the end of town where you'll find a large beach and (free) artisan well water."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campsites in the region feature natural buffers. At Frontier RV Park and Campground, "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," according to Laura B. Namekagon Lake Campground offers "large, private sites" with Joe B. describing them as "beautiful, great riding."
Lake views: Several campgrounds boast waterfront locations with scenic vistas. "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," notes Kelly N. about Kreher RV Park. Lakeside sites at Dalrymple Park are "set above lakeshore. No lake access but great views."
Wildlife encounters: The region supports diverse fauna. "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," shares James B. about Apostle Islands Area. Melissa W. mentions "lots of wildlife" at Namekagon Lake Campground.
What you should know
Arrival timing: First-come, first-served campgrounds fill quickly. "This is a first come first serve campsite, self pay. We arrived around 6 after changing flat tire and there were no sites available," reports Beth B. about Kreher Park. At Dalrymple Park and Campground, "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."
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have physical constraints. "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 was narrow," advises Stephanie J. Some campgrounds lack full amenities: "There is not a dump station, only a spot near the bathroom that you can pull up to dump, but then you have to back out of it."
Weather considerations: The region experiences variable conditions. Temperatures range widely, with "70 and 90 degree days" noted at Namekagon, where "hot days were particularly humid." Mosquitoes are prevalent, especially in summer months, with Roger W. reporting "mosquitoes galore" and Kim mentioning they "were in full force" in July.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational options: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. Nancy S. notes Apostle Islands Area has a "nice playground" and is a "quiet place." At Treeland Farm RV Resort, "there is a playground & heated pool, but it's just far enough away to not be heard at all but a quick walk to get to if you so desire."
Safety awareness: Wildlife encounters require preparation. James B. reports "we saw a few black bears" including "one even meandered through our camp site" at Apostle Islands Area. Parents should maintain appropriate supervision and store food securely.
Water activities: Family-friendly swimming and boating opportunities exist at multiple locations. Kelly N. describes Kreher Park as "a municipal park, right on the shores of Lake superior. A beautiful little park, with a great playground and a boat launch." Namekagon Lake Campground has a "boat landing [that] is great, boats can be pulled up on shore and left there safely."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment. Ryan S. notes about Dalrymple Park: "I think all the sites will require quite a bit of leveling. The sites are small, this campground is best for tent campers or small campers." Frontier RV Park offers more level options with "several new lots that are all grass with water and electric."
Utility connections: Power and water availability varies. At Bad River Casino, "the casino allows free overnight parking with no hookups, or if you want power it's $21.10/night, or power and water is $31.65/night." Alpine Campground sites "were grass, a little un-level but were very spacious. These pull-thru sites were water and electric only (30 amp) and the water pressure was a little low."
Navigational challenges: Some campgrounds present access difficulties. Sam C. notes about Kreher Park: "The dump station is on a hill and with a longer rig our tow vehicle felt in the way of the entrance/exit and the road to the boat launch." At Dalrymple Park, "some of the roads are very steep" according to Ryan S.
