Camping opportunities near Marinette, Wisconsin span across Wisconsin's northeastern edge and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The region sits along Green Bay and Lake Michigan at approximately 600 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping months. Visitors find sites ranging from wooded state parks to lakefront campgrounds with varying privacy levels depending on location and season.
What to do
Hiking trail exploration: Potawatomi State Park offers extensive trail systems with lookout points. "Tons of hiking for all kinds of people!" notes Megan J., while another visitor recommends consulting park rangers for insider knowledge: "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" (Daisy Field Campground — Potawatomi State Park).
Water activities: The Green Bay shoreline provides swimming and paddling opportunities at several campgrounds. At J.W. Wells State Park Campground, visitors appreciate the dedicated swimming areas: "This is a lovely spot. The Green Bay shore is across the drive from our spot. Just beautiful," mentions Carl S. The park maintains "a small court for basketball" and "a ball diamond for kids" according to Pete W.
Wildlife observation: Shoreline campgrounds offer bird watching opportunities, especially during migration seasons. Kleinke Park Campground visitors noted the area's diverse waterfowl population, with one camper sharing a personal experience: "My duck flew off at my first stay and everyone from the Park Ranger to the locals helped me find her and catch her! Going back a second time this month to one of the prettiest campsites I have ever been to!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds maintain natural vegetation barriers between sites. At South Nicolet Bay Campground, John B. noted, "The site is awesome. It's heavily wooded with lots of space between sites." Similarly at Wagon Trail Campground, visitors appreciate the spacious layouts: "The sites are large and very well kept. Only wished there were more sewer hookups but definitely not a deal breaker!!"
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers rank highly in camper reviews across multiple sites. "Bathrooms and showers are really clean that's a plus, there is also a laundry machine," notes Justyna B. about Hy-Land Court. Wagon Trail Campground receives consistent praise for exceptional facilities: "The bathrooms are the best we've seen at any campground."
Seasonal activities: Different campgrounds shine during specific seasons. Diamond Lake Family Campground offers summer water recreation with "the water chute and inflatables" that families enjoy. A fall visitor noted, "The Diamond Lake area is a great example of good places to be to enjoy the Fall foliage. A simple camp setup is all I needed to enjoy my time here."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Menominee River City Park, a camper noted the unexpected availability: "We were able to get a spot with no reservations. Nice short walk to the Jacks grocery store too."
Seasonal limitations: Operating schedules vary by location. Many campgrounds close by mid-October, with River Park Campground operating "May 15 to October 15" and Beantown Campground open "May 1 to October 31." Year-round options are limited to a few facilities like Kleinke Park Campground, though winter amenities may be restricted.
Environmental factors: Weather and insects affect camping comfort significantly. "Bay flies" are mentioned by multiple reviewers: "Happened to be there when the bay flies were thick! The flies do not seem to bite, just a nuisance." Another camper at Potawatomi State Park mentioned, "The mosquitoes were pretty heavy in late July."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation access: Campgrounds with designated swimming areas provide safer options for children. "We mainly went to go to the beach. But after talking to a helpful ranger we decided to also go to the light house," reports Sarah C. about Peninsula State Park, adding that "the beach was a hot spot for people to be. So if you want a good spot you need to get their early!"
Playground availability: Diamond Lake Family Campground offers dedicated play areas for children. A visitor notes the campground "boast a variety of site types from cabins, to a yurt, to a bunkhouse, pull-through sites, and much more. They have a playground as well as nice beaches to access the lake from."
Quiet environment considerations: Some campgrounds enforce strict quiet hours and family-oriented policies. Nathan C.F. explains, "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. As a privately owned campground, they take their rules and security seriously."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds feature particularly level sites requiring minimal setup time. A camper at Menominee River City Park reported, "The site was nice, campground was not busy which was very nice. Bathrooms are the best we've seen in a long time...super clean with individual shower rooms. Traveled in 28ft Class C towing SUV...Plenty of room for both in our site."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are available at several locations but vary by campground section. At Beantown Campground, a seasonal camper noted, "Very clean restrooms and shower facilities. Laundry room is inexpensive and clean. WiFi and cable provided is minimal during peak times." Another visitor mentioned, "Great price for full hook ups and we were able to get a spot with no reservations."
Site spacing considerations: RV site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. One RVer observed at Beantown Campground: "The worse part of the campground was for daily rental sites. They faced each other and were about 12-15 feet apart in the front and about 10 foot or less on your utilities side. This would be great for camping with friends or family."
