The Mellen area features dense northern Wisconsin forest landscapes around 1,300 feet elevation, with numerous waterways including the Bad River watershed. Summer camping offers moderate 70-80°F temperatures, while spring and fall campers should prepare for cooler nights dropping into the 40s. Winter camping requires cold-weather gear with temperatures frequently below freezing.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Copper Falls State Park Campground offers direct access to impressive waterfalls and maintained hiking trails. "Amazing place to kayak but you do have to do your research if you aren't using a kayak guide," notes a visitor about Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping, adding that "Apostle Islands is part of a 21 islands chain at the northern tip of Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. On the mainland, the Lakeshore Trail weaves past cliffs and sea caves."
Wildlife viewing: Black bears are common in campgrounds near Mellen. "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," reports a camper from Apostle Islands Area.
Lake activities: Namekagon Lake Campground provides opportunities for boating and fishing on a quieter lake. "Boat Landing is great, boats can be pulled up on shore and left there safely... Fun sandbar to party on," shares a repeat visitor who camps there every other year.
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The northern Wisconsin location creates excellent conditions for night sky viewing. "I also found, since this is further from town, it is very dark here and great for star gazing," notes a camper at Wildwood Haven Resort and Campground.
Natural swimming areas: Many campgrounds offer beach access without the need for formal facilities. A visitor to Dalrymple Park and Campground noted, "You can access Lake Superior at this campground, but it's not an easy trek to get down to the shore. It is shallow enough to 'swim' there."
Budget-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds provide unexpected free services. "If you camp here you get free entrance to the gigantic water park," mentions a visitor about Frontier RV Park, while another camper at Dalrymple Park adds, "There is a fire ring, picnic table, electric hook-up, and a stump to cut some free firewood at each site. There were plenty of FREE firewood piles near the entrance."
What you should know
Availability challenges: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. A visitor to Kreher RV Park warns: "This is a first come first serve campsite, self pay. We arrived around 6 after changing flat tire and there were no sites available."
Payment options: Some campgrounds have limited payment methods. Alpine Campground is "cash only" according to reviews, while other facilities use self-service payment stations.
Road and site conditions: Many campgrounds have challenging terrain. One reviewer mentioned about Dalrymple Park: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A visitor to Treeland Farm RV Resort noted, "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."
Water recreation access: Many campgrounds provide free or low-cost water activities. One camper at Treeland Farm RV Resort mentioned, "You can also use peddle boats, kayaks, canoes, etc for FREE!"
Privacy considerations: Look for sites with natural separation for family comfort. A visitor to Wildwood Haven observed, "Sites are good sized and clean. Our two sites were great, but if I didn't care about being near the lake, I would look at the new sites they put in the wooded area. They were a little more 'remote'."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Most RV sites in the Mellen area require some adjustment. "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," reports a visitor to Dalrymple Park.
Site selection: Larger RVs face limitations at several campgrounds. A camper at Alpine Campground shared, "Our pull thru sites where just long enough for our 35' trailer and truck to stay connected. Sites were grass, a little un-level but were very spacious."
Dump station availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Bad River Casino, a visitor noted, "We then drove to the BP station and started to dump, when a casino employee came running out, telling us that the dump was for paying customers only... Not only that, but the dump tank was full!"
Ranger
