Shawano County sits in the eastern part of Wisconsin's lake region, with campgrounds nestled around multiple water bodies including Shawano Lake and the Embarrass River. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F from June through August, with higher humidity levels creating occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Many campgrounds in the region offer direct water access with sandy shorelines or small beach areas alongside wooded camping sites.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Shawano Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities directly from campground shorelines. "Shawano lake has a great fishery," notes a camper at Shawano County Park. The fishing extends beyond just the main lake, with campers at Tilleda Falls Campground reporting "excellent campground! Swimming area, waterfall, stream, fishing. This camp has it all."
River activities: The Embarrass River offers unique water experiences beyond standard lake swimming. "The short stretch of the Oconto River provides mainly brook trout and brown trout fishing. Tranquil nights next to the rapids makes this campground great," explains a visitor to Bagley Rapids NF Campground. For more adventurous campers, Chute Pond Park features "Slippery Rock," described as "a waterfall from the river that you can actually slide down."
Trail exploration: The Mountain Bay Trail provides accessible hiking less than two miles from several campgrounds. A camper at On The Rocks Family Kampground notes it's "located less than 2 miles off the Mountain Bay Trail" making it convenient for hikers. Another visitor adds that "seasonal campers all appear to have golf carts that they run around all over the place" suggesting both hiking and motorized recreation options.
What campers like
Spacious waterfront sites: Many campers appreciate the generously sized sites near water features. A camper at Shawano County Park mentions, "We stayed on a tent site, it was huge and had electric. I love that the campground is right on the lake." Similarly, at Boulder Lake, a visitor notes their "site 18 which is right on the water and across from the shower house. It was decently spaced out from the other sites."
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance of bathrooms and shower facilities stands out to visitors. "The bathrooms are clean. And they have ice cream. Which is pretty great," reports one Shawano County Park camper. Boulder Lake visitors also mention "shower house was nice and clean" while another notes the facilities were "always clean!"
Small water features: Beyond large lakes, campers enjoy the smaller swimming areas at several campgrounds. A visitor to Fawn Lake Campground explains, "They have a nice pond for swimming and a playground right by it for the kids." Another camper adds that "The tent sites at this camp ground are in the back of the campground located in the woods! There is a small pond with in the campground which you are able to swim in, kayak in and go frogging in!"
What you should know
Varying hookup distances: Electric and water hookup locations can vary significantly between sites. At Shawano County Park, one camper noted "the electricity and water was far away from the site probably over 60 feet away." This requires longer hoses and cords than many campers typically carry.
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience increased noise on weekends, particularly those with seasonal campers. At Pine Grove Campground, a visitor mentioned "It was loud which isn't the campgrounds fault until they don't do anything about it, which there wasn't. We had a great time with our group but were able to have fun while still being relatively quiet. There were 2 different groups around us that were loud into the early hours of the night."
Service hours vary: Campground stores and amenities often operate on limited schedules. At On The Rocks Family Kampground, a camper reported "Office, restaurant and bar only open Thursday through Saturday." Another noted "The store didn't have much in it when we got there. The shelves were filled by evening however!"
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Multiple water features cater to different swimming preferences and skill levels. At Chute Pond Park, one visitor explains "There's lots to do the whole weekend whether you want to go hiking, fishing, boating, small cliff jumping, or take a walk to slippery rock." The park also offers "a little footbridge to fish off of, a playground, and a nice beach."
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature playgrounds adjacent to camping areas. A visitor to Fawn Lake Campground mentioned "A playground is present and the owner is wonderful! Very friendly place!" This sentiment is echoed at Pine Grove Campground where "Lots of playground equipment for the kids" was highlighted by a satisfied camper.
Kid-friendly water play: Shallow water areas provide safer play spaces for younger children. Pine Grove Campground features "kid-friendly pool, arcade, park, and bounce house area that our group of kids loved." However, parents should note that at Bagley Rapids, "small children should stay out of the river due to its strong current."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for large rigs: Several campgrounds accommodate larger RVs but require careful site selection. At Tilleda Falls Campground, campers note it's "well maintained and easy to maneuver around" while Pine Grove sites are described as having "enough to meet your needs, as well as enough tree cover to still help you enjoy the feeling of being in nature. The drive in is nice and accessible even for bigger rigs."
Full hookup availability: Full service sites are limited at certain campgrounds. At Captains Cove Resort, one RVer reports "All their sites are nicely wooded, but can get to be close quarters," while Fawn Lake Campground offers "a long spot with full hookups" according to another visitor.
Seasonal considerations for pet-friendly camping near Shawano, Wisconsin: For those seeking pet-friendly camping near Shawano during peak summer months, site selection becomes important. One camper at Fawn Lake Campground shared that it "is our go to place every spring, summer or fall! We like to travel all over the place and try different place but this is always a must to go to as well as last minute let's go camping spot."
