The Presque Isle area sits within Wisconsin's Vilas County, where elevations range from 1,600 to 1,750 feet above sea level, creating varied camping terrain across the region's glacial landscape. Summer temperatures typically average 75-80°F during peak camping season while dropping to 40-50°F during spring and fall. Most campgrounds near Presque Isle operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter camping options.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 15-minute drive from most area campgrounds to nearby falls. At Lake of the Falls County Park, campers can "walk along the waterfall" with a bridge that "takes you to another camp section" according to Art S., who stayed at the park in 2021.
Disc golf: 18-hole course at Porcupine Mountains State Park where you can combine outdoor recreation with camping. As Stacia R. notes, "The park has a ski lift we rode to check out the views from the top of the mountain, as well as an 18 hole disc course."
UTV trail access: Direct trail access to Wisconsin from Alpine Campground & RV Park. One reviewer mentioned, "Utv trails to Wisconsin can be accessed right here. There are waterfalls nearby that are off the beaten path. Can't beat it if your looking to explore and have an adventure."
Hiking at Clark Lake: An 8-10 mile trail loops around Clark Lake at Sylvania Campground. According to Ellery K., "gorgeous hikes nearby (hiking around Clark lake is an 8-10 mile trek that's gorgeous the whole way)."
What campers like
Adult-focused camping: Land O' Lakes Nature RV Resort offers an adults-only environment without the typical 55+ age restriction. A reviewer noted, "This unique RV Resort is adults only but doesn't follow the typical 55+ rule and is available for younger adults as well!"
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate natural screening at certain campgrounds. At Presque Isle in Porcupine Mountains State Park, "Sites on the outside of the loop back to either the woods or the lake and have great hammocking options" according to one camper who stayed in the non-generator area.
Campgrounds with boat access: Some camping areas offer direct lake access. At Lake of the Falls County Park, one visitor mentioned, "Our campsite was right on the water. Our neighbor, another Dyrt camper!, launched his boat right from his site."
Spacious pull-through sites: RVers appreciate the ample room at several parks in the area. One camper at Frontier RV Park and Campground reported, "The site we got had full hookups, a fire ring and a picnic table. Not super spacious but the place is clean and the people are friendly."
What you should know
Varied bathroom facilities: Quality differs significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Curry Park Campground reported "Very clean park and showers. Camp hosts were excellent!" while facilities at other parks may be more rustic.
Limited cell coverage: Signal strength varies throughout the region. At Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park, a camper noted "Cell service was really spot (can be a good thing when camping), and I wasn't able to pick up a lot of radio stations either."
Mosquito preparation: Several parks have significant mosquito populations, especially in summer months. One camper at Lake of the Falls County Park said, "The mosquitoes were terrible," while another at Sylvania Campground advised, "bring bug spray."
Site privacy considerations: Open sites versus wooded sites make a difference in camping experience. A recent visitor to Presque Isle noted, "most of the sites in the 'middle' were more of an open field with a couple of trees. There were no real clear boundary lines. If you are looking for a little more shade or tree cover, book a perimeter site."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Curry Park Campground, a visitor noted, "Play area has 3 swings, 2 are broken but there was only one toddler here during our visit," while another mentioned, "There's a swing set but not much else in terms of activities or a playground."
Swimming opportunities: Lake access varies by location. At Lake of the Falls, a camper observed, "Kids swam a lot in the lake," while the town of Mercer (about 15 minutes from Lake of the Falls) offers "a playground for our littles... it did include a beach area."
Family-friendly hiking: Some trails are more accessible for children than others. One visitor to Sylvania mentioned, "2 day stay in mid august was absolutely lovely... gorgeous hikes nearby," making it suitable for families with older children who can handle longer walks.
Site selection for families: Pick sites based on specific needs. Kelly M. advised about Lake of the Falls: "Not a lot to do with young kids (ours were 8, 6, and 18 months old). It's great for those that want to boat, kayak, canoe, or fish. Our family likes to hike and there aren't many hiking trails."
Tips from RVers
Seasonal access considerations: For RV camping near Presque Isle, Wisconsin, plan according to operating seasons. Borderline RV Park is open "May through October" while campers at Frontier RV Park noted it's suitable for "summer/early fall living."
Level site availability: RV campers should research site conditions before booking. At River Road RV Park, one camper noted, "Our site was grass and had some ruts from previous guests. It sounded like they had a lot of rain earlier in the summer."
Site configurations: Many parks offer a mix of back-in and pull-through sites. A visitor to Frontier RV Park appreciated that "Several lots are full hookup" and that the park has "very nice pull through sites."
Dump station access: Some campgrounds have limited dump facilities. At Frontier RV Park, a camper noted, "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."
