2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Tent campsites in the Pembine area of northeastern Wisconsin offer a mix of established campgrounds and more remote options within the Menominee River State Recreation Area and surrounding national forests. East Bass Lake Park in Homestead provides tent-only sites with lake access, while Old Veterans Lake County Park near Crivitz features tent camping with drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Several boat-in tent sites are available along the Menominee River, including Pemebonwon Site and Pemene Falls Site.
Most tent campgrounds in this region feature basic amenities with vault toilets and fire rings, though hookups are generally absent. Sites at Old Veterans Lake are set on flat, open ground with some providing private trails to the water. The Menominee River boat-in sites require watercraft access and typically include only basic toilet facilities. Campers should verify seasonal availability, as many locations operate from May through October. Water access varies significantly between locations, with some sites offering hand pumps for drinking water while others require campers to bring their own supply.
The tent camping experience near Pembine provides excellent access to fishing, paddling, and hiking opportunities. Areas within the Nicolet National Forest offer more secluded tent sites with fewer crowds, particularly during weekdays. Sites along waterways provide opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. Tree cover varies by location, with some sites offering shade while others are more exposed. According to one visitor at Old Veterans Lake, "The site itself was open, yet private, and very flat. It was a short walk to the pit toilets and there's another path to a little beach behind the toilet building." Tent campers at East Bass Lake Park appreciate the solitude, with one reviewer noting it's "a great place for those who want some solitude" with sites "right on the lake."
"No hook-ups. Pit toilets and right on the lake. First come first serve. And 2 day maximum consecutive days stay if I believe. Close to waterfalls and other lake s and parks. Great time."
from $20 / night
"We did have someone ratted on us for using our generator to supply our CPAPs because there was no electricity or water. We will be back."
"This is a little campground a short drive down some narrow, twisty backroads from Governor Thompson State Park. We stayed at site 11 which had an awesome little trail to the lake."
from $17 / night
from $10 / night
"This was a small township campground on a beautiful lake all 5 sites have electric Central well and Porta John toilets that were very clean. Has a boat launch and picnic area right on the lake."
"There is a fire ring and picnic table at each site."
"Loved the hike in, decided to walk the whole loop and unfortunately the bridge at the end was under water and we had to turn around and walk back instead."
"Lots of tree cover to protect from winds and plenty of firewood. Well worth it"
"This area is gorgeous, it's surrounded by lake superior, and there is a really neat old lighthouse with pit toilets at the end of the road.."
TravelerThere are 3 sites at this location. The 2 southern sites can fit decent size trailers. The middle one, which we stayed in, for my 26” trailer pulled by my suburban. Pulled straight in and pulled straight out. Site was clean and the views were awesome!
LegendThis is a lovely campground for families. Easy access to the lake for fishing and kayaking. The water side sites are great! Clean facilities and hot showers. Our next door site neighbors had 12 kids between their 2 sites. You can imagine we did not have a peaceful experience here. Neither the parents nor Camp host gave 2 hoots about quiet hours. The kids were screaming and running through our campsite well after 11 pm each night. Which leads me to my only 2 issues with this campground. There are few cut-throughs to access the bathrooms, so at any moment a stranger could be found unapologetically walking right thru your site. Issue two… I urge you to stead clear of booking site 810. The dishwashing/water station is located inside this site. Not near the road like the rest of them but, inside the site. We spent our evening with either screaming children using it as “safe” zone for freeze-tag, or the entire loop washing their dishes. Not fun….
ScoutDefinitely not meant for RV's or campers. To get to the site you must take a long sandy path that becomes muddy after rain. The path is also very uneven and has several pits where a camper can get stuck. The actual camp site is nice though. Visited in September so bugs were minimal and it was quite. The water near by sounds quite nice.
GuideCampground is situated in an industrial area…warehouses, truck storage, etc. It does have a 150 ft narrow sand beach on a bay in Lake Michigan. Campground is a flat somewhat charmless place with tight spots. All the “full hook-ups” appear to be farthest from the water. Seems like a good amount of seasonal folks here escaping from midwestern heat. Bathrooms and showers are centrally located and are VERY clean and nice. We’re here just one night so no complaints but I wouldn’t stay longer than that.
TravelerI absolutely loved it here first time staying and will be back many more! Would've given 5 starts if the sites had electricity, but theres still plug in over by the pavilion. Definitely a gem of a find.!!!!
GuideWe love the quiet beautiful lake, the forest is beautiful, do watch the trees when choosing your site. We did not reserve, we drove up, followed the directions to choose a site and are staying 2 weeks. And we will be using bug spray, lots.
ScoutWe spent almost $200 on three nights of camping here. They charge $28 a night + $15 a night if you're out of state. On top of that you have reservation fees, tax and have to purchase a sticker for $55. For this price we expected clean and modern facilities, but they were dirty and dated.
We found our campsite to be the smallest we've ever camped in and it was covered in invasive vines and poison ivy. It was more of a summer camp for kids and families than a quiet, peaceful getaway.
If you have a family and want to ride your bike around and eat ice cream at the beach then this park is for you. They have a huge golf course too, not exactly a shining example of forest preservation.
GuideMost of the sites were well spaced with a lot of trees in between. Bathrooms are clean. Each site had the standard picnic table and fire ring. My only complaint is that the path along the river had cutoffs to each campsite, and people would cut through where I was staying.
GuideCampground is not far off of the highway. The road is a bit rough but paved. Some of the sites are tight and not level. I had two Verizon cell bars. Good spacing between campsites, plenty of trash receptacles. All sites are blocked off with boulders and you can't drive all the way, in you have to park outside of your picnic area.
Tent campsites near Pembine, Wisconsin provide access to the dense forests and waterways of the state's northeastern region where the Menominee River forms a natural boundary with Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The area features multiple small lakes scattered throughout mixed hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 800-1,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F with cooler nights around 55°F, while spring and fall camping requires preparation for temperature swings and occasional precipitation.
Kayaking on Veterans Lake: The small, motorboat-restricted lake at Old Veterans Lake County Park offers calm waters perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. According to one visitor, "It was perfect for kayaking. There is a beach which I hung out at all afternoon with my dog and read a book. We never saw anyone." The lake's smaller size makes it easy to explore in a single morning or afternoon.
ATV trail access: McClintock County Park provides direct access to extensive ATV trail networks throughout Marinette County. A camper notes, "Nice place if you're into ATV riding. Trails really close. Good view of the river." The park serves as an excellent base camp for day trips on the extensive trail system that connects to multiple nearby communities.
Nature watching at Goodman Park: The secluded setting offers opportunities to observe deer, small mammals, and numerous bird species in their natural habitat. "Very nice peaceful feels like you're in the middle of nowhere," reports one visitor to Marinette County Goodman Park. The park's trail system winds through varied terrain with minimal crowds even during peak seasons.
Lake access from private trails: Several campsites at Old Veterans Lake provide direct lake access via short trails. One camper at Old Veterans Lake County Park reports, "We stayed at site 10 and LOVED it. Very private and our dog was able to roam at will." Sites 11, 12, and 13 are particularly noted for their lake access points.
Swimming opportunities: The small beach areas provide swimming access without crowds or boat traffic. A family notes, "It was great for swimming and finding more tiny fish. I think we stayed over a busier time of year, but even with every other campsite occupied it was still a very peaceful time." The shallow entry points make these swimming areas appropriate for various age groups.
Tent-specific campsites: East Bass Lake Park in Homestead offers sites designed specifically for tent camping with level tent pads. A visitor to East Bass Lake Park mentions, "While there is only 2 spots for camping in this town park. It is a great place for those who want some solitude. Small sites for tent or pop-up. No hook-ups." The limited number of sites reduces competition for space even during busy weekends.
Limited site availability: Several campgrounds in the area offer very few sites, making advance planning essential. At East Bass Lake Park, "there is only 2 spots for camping in this town park" with a "2 day maximum consecutive days stay." Arrive early in the day during peak season to secure a site at non-reservable locations.
Access to facilities: Many campgrounds require driving to access additional amenities. For Old Veterans Lake, "You can drive back to the Governor Thompson building and get firewood, ice, and use the shower building and flushing toilets." The main shower facilities are approximately 10 minutes by car from the campground.
Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds have restrictions or limitations on generator use, especially during quiet hours. One camper at Old Veterans Lake County Park reported, "We did have someone ratted on us for using our generator to supply our CPAPs because there was no electricity or water." Check with park management about specific policies if you require power for medical devices.
Insect preparation: Summer months bring significant mosquito activity, particularly near water sources. A camper at McClintock County Park advises, "Bring ways to keep mosquitoes at bay though." Long sleeves, pants, and repellent are recommended, especially during evening hours.
Frog and turtle catching: The shallow areas of Old Veterans Lake provide excellent opportunities for children to observe small wildlife. One family shares, "We come here with the kids every spring. They always catch frogs, fish, and turtles. They also enjoy swimming across, and hiking and biking around the lake." The calm, shallow waters along the shoreline are ideal for younger children to explore safely.
Swimming access: The small beach area behind the toilet building at Old Veterans Lake County Park provides a safe swimming area for families. "It was a short walk to the pit toilets and there's another path to a little beach behind the toilet building," notes one camper. The gradual entry point makes it appropriate for different swimming abilities.
Bike-friendly terrain: The relatively flat terrain surrounding Old Veterans Lake provides appropriate biking opportunities for various skill levels. A regular visitor mentions, "They also enjoy swimming across, and hiking and biking around the lake. Nearby trail to the Peshtigo River Flowage." The connecting trails offer extended riding options for more experienced young cyclists.
Limited accommodations for larger units: Most tent campgrounds in the area have restrictions on RV size and limited amenities for RVs. At New Prospect, facilities are primarily designed for tent camping with limited parking areas for larger vehicles. RVers with units over 25 feet should verify access and turning radius details before arrival.
CPAP users need power planning: With limited electrical hookups available, CPAP users need alternative power solutions. One camper noted the challenges: "We did have someone ratted on us for using our generator to supply our CPAPs because there was no electricity or water." Battery packs or solar options provide quieter alternatives to generators at non-electric sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pembine, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pembine, WI is Marinette County Goodman Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Pembine, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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