RV camping near Rhinelander, Wisconsin offers access to the pristine lakes and forests of Wisconsin's Northwoods region. Located in Oneida County, Rhinelander sits among 232 lakes within a 30-mile radius, creating abundant waterfront camping options from May through October. Winter temperatures frequently drop below zero while summer nights remain cool even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: West Bay Camping Resort provides direct lake access with a small beach for fishing enthusiasts. "Beautiful lake access with small beach. Has heated swimming pool but was closed for season," notes a camper who stayed during the shoulder season.
Wildlife observation: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife viewing. "West Bay has a wildlife school across the road with free trails you can walk," mentions one reviewer, highlighting educational opportunities beyond standard camping activities.
ATV/UTV trails: For motorized recreation, Holly Wood Hill Campground offers trail access, though a visitor clarifies, "The campground is ATV/UTV friendly but the area 'trails' are gravel roads except the ATV park east of Crandon." Winter snowmobiling trails convert to ATV routes during summer months.
What campers like
Camp community: Borderline RV Park earns praise for its social atmosphere. One seasonal camper explained, "Great community in the park for summer/early fall living. Numerous lakes nearby for fishing; a boat ramp into the Wisconsin River for canoes/kayaks is just across 45."
Peaceful surroundings: Many campers value the quiet natural setting. A visitor to Moen Lake Campground noted, "If you want a quiet, secluded campground where you can just sit back and enjoy being out in the woods (we had deer walk through the back of our campsite at night), then you will enjoy this campground."
Recreational facilities: Some campgrounds feature additional entertainment options. At Holly Wood Hill, "At their little bar area it is very unique they have a pile of different games for everybody to use or play they have a big camp fire there every night. Very down to earth people but just want everybody to have a great time."
What you should know
Campsite size variation: Sites differ significantly across campgrounds regarding space and privacy. Land O' Lakes Nature RV Resort caters to adults exclusively, creating a different atmosphere than family campgrounds.
Reservation policies: Cancellation rules vary by campground. An Arbor Vitae Campground visitor warned about rigid policies: "We had to cancel our reservation due to medical, we did give 1 month notice but the owner would not return the 1/2 down payment."
Hookup limitations: While many campgrounds offer electric and water, full hookups are less common. At Moen Lake Campground, a camper explained, "The basic amenities are here, picnic table, fire pit, bath house with showers within walking distance, electrical (30amp) and water hookups, but don't expect them to be 5 star quality, they are there, they are functional."
Tips for camping with families
Shoulder season visits: For families seeking quieter camping experiences, consider visiting in May or September. The region experiences fewer crowds while maintaining reasonable temperatures, though pool amenities might be closed during these periods.
Lake activities: Arbor Vitae Campground provides water access, but facilities vary. "The campground is old as dirt, had a nice lake for swimming and fishing but that's it. Tiny game room with Pac-Man," reports one family who stayed recently.
Budget considerations: Prices vary seasonally with premium rates during summer weekends. A Holly Wood Hill camper shared, "On July 4th wknd we paid $60/night for water and power hookup, a little steep for not having full hookups."
Tips from RVers
Electrical capacity: Older campgrounds may have limited electrical infrastructure. A West Bay visitor cautioned, "We had nothing but electrical issues the entire time we stayed there in a very hot part of summer and the managers answer to the problem when I brought it to her attention was, 'don't run the a/c if you're having issues.'"
Dump station conditions: RVers should plan for variable dump station quality. One Holly Wood Hill Campground reviewer noted, "Dump site is unlevel and leans away from hose hookup making it difficult to fully flush holding tanks. Driveway to get in and out of dump site is rough and quite tight for a camper longer than 35ft to maneuver around."
Site configuration: Moen Lake Campground & RV Park offers practical benefits for RVers needing firewood. A visitor mentioned, "The owner was friendly and helpful. She loops though the park occasionally and if you need anything (additional firewood) she will bring it out for you so you don't have to drive back to main area to pick it up yourself."
