Camping options near Mellen, Wisconsin range from rustic tent sites to fully equipped RV hookups across the Chequamegon National Forest and surrounding lakes region. Located in Ashland County at 1,250 feet elevation, the area experiences cold winters with heavy lake effect snow and moderate summer temperatures rarely exceeding 85°F. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter access during snowmobile season.
What to do
Waterfall hikes: 4-mile trail at Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park follows the Presque Isle River with multiple waterfalls. "The hiking throughout this park is unparalleled in its beauty. The campground is close to the Presque Isle river trail which is waterfall after waterfall," notes Stacia R.
Lake Superior beaches: 15-minute walk from Black River Harbor Campground provides access to quiet Lake Superior shoreline. "A beautiful harbor on Lake Superior surrounded with by a cornucopia of natural beauty. Five named waterfalls that are simply amazing, each awe inspiring along with several hidden un-named falls," writes Thomas F.
Winter ski attractions: 20-minute drive to Copper Peak ski flying facility, the only one in North America. "Not too far away is Copper Peak, the only ski flying facility in North America. In the summer you can ride up to the top to see pretty far. It's not for the faint of heart," explains Annie C.
UTV/ATV trail access: Direct from campsite at Schomberg Park. "This is a perfect small sized campground with trail access to UTV/ATV trails. If you are coming here to ride I would recommend going west on the trail," advises Juliana R.
What campers like
Lake views from elevated sites: Apostle Islands Area Campground provides strategic access to island ferry services. "Great area near all there is to do in Bayfield," says Katherine O., while another camper adds, "I highly recommend doing some sort of tour of the Apostle Islands by boat and taking the ferry to Madeline Island."
Secluded tent camping: Densely wooded sites provide privacy at some campgrounds. "We camped at Presque Isle in the Porkies for a long weekend in October. The color change was amazing! This campground is rustic with only vault toilets and no hookups... Spacing is nice and provides some privacy," reports Stacia R.
Yurt accommodations: Year-round options for yurt camping near Mellen, Wisconsin allow for four-season experiences. According to Jen W., Presque Isle offers "Yurts and Cabins available. Definitely Seasonal. The road is not plowed completely in winter."
River access: Multiple campgrounds feature water proximity. "Very wooded, big lots not at all over crowded and quiet!! Cheap boat and pontoon rental, very friendly and kind staff," writes Eve about Reel Livin Resort and Campground.
What you should know
Generator restrictions: Designated zones at some campgrounds separate generator and non-generator users. "There are 50 sites, with generator and non-generator sites clearly separated... On the non-generator side sites on the outside of the loop back to either the woods or the lake and have great hammocking options," explains Annie C.
Accessibility challenges: Steep terrain at certain campgrounds affects mobility. "Park is located on the side of a hill—Spots are small but level, roads are all at a slope. Not a great campground for kiddos to ride their bikes, and not super fun to walk uphill in every direction," warns Nick & Allyssa S.
Cell service limitations: Spotty coverage throughout region. "No cellar coverage, and the Rangers do not answer knocks on the door at their offices about 20 miles away. You are on your own," cautions Jim W.
Seasonal facility closures: Some campgrounds reduce services after Labor Day. A camper noted, "It was very quiet even though it was close to Labor Day weekend, and for the size of the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Recreational activities: Multiple options at Hayward KOA keep children engaged. "Awesome spot for kids! Lots for them to do. Sites are kinda close but landscape is great," says Gwen C., while another visitor mentions, "Great campground to stay with family! Campground was kept very clean, even though it is an older campground."
Water recreation: Check availability as amenities vary seasonally. "Pool, waterslide, mini golf, playgrounds and so much more! They also have themed weekends for the kids, and plenty of activites!" Lynn N. reports about Hayward KOA.
Adventure camping: Wilderness options for experienced families. "A few friends of mine got together one weekend to camp at Porcupine Lake Wilderness. Overall, it was a beautiful place to camp. This particular weekend, it snowed and words could not describe how amazing it was," shares Joshua S.
Proximity to services: Plan for distance from major retail. One camper advised, "Not super spacious but the place is clean and the people are friendly. The bar & grill have a decent menu and the thin crust pizza was yummy."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Space constraints at Frontier RV Park and Campground affect larger vehicles. "Very nice park with several new lots that are all grass with water and electric. Several lots are full hookup. 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," Jim M. notes.
Tree clearance: Older campgrounds present navigation challenges. "Love all this campsite has to offer with amenities! Beautiful area as well. But there are alot of trees that make it very challenging for larger rigs. There are a handful of sites that would be easy to access, I recommend calling first," advises Sheila H. about Hayward KOA.
Full hookup availability: Limited options in more remote areas. "We were told the toilets didn't work because there was a piece on order for over 2 weeks, the sinks weren't working so we couldn't use those either, but you could get a hot shower for a $0.25," reports Karen B.
Winter accessibility: Most campgrounds close or reduce services October through April. According to visitor reports, roads remain unplowed in many areas, though yurt camping near Mellen, Wisconsin continues year-round at select locations.
