Wisconsin's Upper Peninsula border area around Marinette offers a mix of wooded cabin rentals positioned on rivers and along Lake Michigan shorelines. Most cabins in the region sit at elevations between 600-800 feet, with average summer temperatures ranging 70-80°F during peak camping season from June through September. Winter cabin availability becomes limited after October with most facilities closing for the season.
What to do
Hiking near state parks: Potawatomi State Park provides extensive trail systems ranging from beginner to advanced levels. According to a visitor, "I spoke with the very helpful park ranger who directed me to some hiking trails through the woods with some overlooks. If I didn't know about this hike the stay would not have been as great."
River tubing excursions: Peshtigo River Campground offers organized tubing trips down the Peshtigo River with shuttle service. A reviewer noted, "They rent tubes for $14/person. Cooler floats are $8. This includes the bus service to the drop off anytime between 10 and 3pm. I would dedicate 3-4 hours to the tube trip."
Lakefront recreation: J.W. Wells State Park Campground provides access to swimming beaches and fishing areas. One camper shared, "Beautiful views of the Lake looking east and south to Washington Island and Door County Peninsula. Nice stream and playground for kids to play in and on."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Badger Park Campground maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms and showers that receive consistent praise. A camper stated, "This is a very welcoming campground within Peshtigo. Campsites are nicely spaced with some large trees for shade. Generous portions of firewood are available."
Private wooded sites: Seasonal cabins at Diamond Lake Family Campground feature more separation than typical campgrounds. One reviewer highlighted, "My friends and I love camping here because of the huge wooded sites, quiet family environment, and excellent service provided by Jen, Joe and their whole family."
Water access options: River Park Campground positions cabins near boating access. According to a reviewer, "It is situated very near to a boat launch/little fishing area which was neat. You would see some (I think) military ships across the river. And there were a lot of birds to observe."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Most cabin facilities close between mid-October and mid-April. HTR Door County operates seasonally from "Mid May to Oct 31" which aligns with most area facilities.
Varied pet policies: Cabin rentals have inconsistent pet rules that require verification before booking. One camper at River Park noted, "We stayed in our 34' ft 5er with a diesel dually truck and the spot was tight. The second time we had a 24' class C and we had plenty of room."
Bathroom facilities: Most cabin areas have central bathhouses rather than private facilities. A J.W. Wells camper explained, "The facilities are clean and the camp hosts are so sweet (they have matching vests and serve coffee every morning)."
Wood availability: Most campgrounds sell firewood on-site with bundles typically costing $8-10. At Badger Park, campers mentioned "generous portions of firewood are available" compared to other locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Wagon Trail Campground maintains excellent play areas for children. A reviewer noted, "The family/employees were very friendly and at check-in gave suggestions of things to do! We found everything exceptionally clean including the newly remodeled bathrooms."
Swimming options: Seasonal swimming is available at multiple locations but water temperatures remain cool until mid-June. One Diamond Lake visitor shared, "We were surprised that each site is pretty wooded making you feel like you don't have neighbors. The surrounding area is just expansive farmlands which is beautiful to look at when walking the dog in the morning."
Budget options: State park cabins typically cost 30-40% less than private facilities but book 6+ months in advance. A J.W. Wells visitor commented, "Really nice sites and you can see the water from most of them. Some sites were muddy but I think it was mostly from how busy it was over Labor Day."
Grocery planning: Limited grocery options exist near most cabin locations, requiring advance shopping. A Wagon Trail visitor advised, "My family and I camped for 6 days and 5 nights here and it was great! They are well-known for having the cleanest bathrooms/showers in the area."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Reserve sites away from main roads for quieter experience in cabin areas. A Tranquil Timbers visitor shared, "We showed up late Friday due to some issues with our pop up. The lady called and asked when we were arriving that was so nice. The campsites are tightly packed but luckily we got a nice wide open one right next to the perfectly cleaned bathrooms and showers."
Weather considerations: Spring and fall visits require warm bedding with overnight lows frequently dropping into the 40s. A Door County camper noted, "We were in site 13 which backed up to the nature trail. Large sites, trash cans at site which was a treat!"
Off-season advantages: Early May and late September cabin rentals typically cost 30-40% less with fewer crowds but same amenities. According to a River Park review, "Bathrooms are the best we've seen in a long time...super clean with individual shower rooms."
