Camping areas near Sheboygan, Wisconsin cluster along Lake Michigan's western shore at elevations between 580-650 feet above sea level. The region experiences warm summers with average highs of 80°F and cold winters that drop below freezing. Most campgrounds in this area feature glacial terrain with rolling hills and kettle formations that create unique camping environments with varying levels of privacy.
What to do
Beach exploration and swimming: Kohler-Andrae State Park provides direct access to Lake Michigan with dune boardwalks. "Beautiful state park right on Lake Michigan. Sunrises so, so beautiful. This campground has everything! Trails, dunes, marshes, forests, and Lake Michigan," shares one camper at Kohler-Andrae State Park.
Hiking through diverse ecosystems: Trails around Harrington Beach State Park wind through former quarry sites, wooded areas, and coastal terrain. A visitor notes, "Just outside of Milwaukee, Harrington Beach State Park is a quiet and quick escape to the good life. The huge sandy beach spans the entire length of the park - which features plenty of trails, a quarry, and a historical element."
Fishing in protected waters: Long Lake Campground in Kettle Moraine offers shoreline fishing and rentals. "Lots to do at mauthe lake! one of my favs. good fishing," reports one regular visitor who frequents the area for its well-stocked waters and designated piers.
Mini-golf and family activities: Village Inn on the Lake provides on-site recreation beyond standard camping. A camper describes, "Cute Mini Golf Onsite! Location is great! About 2 Miles from Neshotah Beach! The hotel is convenient for your family and friends to stay if they don't have a camper."
What campers like
Diverse shoreline access: Lake Michigan's beaches vary significantly between parks. At Harrington Beach State Park Campground, "The lake was a short bike ride from our site, and we enjoyed walking the beach and attached trails. The pond was overgrown with weeds, which made for a short fishing trip with our son, but lots of frogs and turtles to be found."
Clean facilities: State parks maintain higher standards for bathrooms and showers than many private campgrounds. "Park campground is well kept as well as the facilities. Beach is nice," states one visitor to Harrington Beach, though they noted issues with pet accommodations.
Privacy between sites: Site layout varies considerably across campgrounds. At Long Lake Campground, "Sites are decent sized for tenting or small camper. Almost all the sites are surround by trees and small brush so it gives a private feel."
Indoor amenities during inclement weather: Some campgrounds provide additional comforts. "The indoor pool is so nice! It's a saltwater pool and they have a separate hot tub. It was not crowded the time we went but I'm sure it can get busy," reports a camper at Village Inn on the Lake.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Nearly all rv parks in Sheboygan, Wisconsin close between late October and mid-April. Stop-N-Dock Marina & RV Park runs "May 15 to October 15" while Plymouth Rock operates "April 13 to October 15."
Site spacing considerations: Space constraints affect comfort levels. At Plymouth Rock Camping Resort, one camper observes, "Nice activities for the kids to participate in but campsites are small. It was nice to be able to rent a golf cart because the park is large and the activities are spread about."
Road noise at some locations: Traffic impacts waterfront sites despite scenic views. A camper at Village Inn notes, "It's right off a busy road so you hear the cars all night long... occasionally a wave sound comes through!"
Distance to amenities: Water access requires transportation at some parks. One camper at Long Lake mentions, "Walking from the 900s to the beach was a bit of a trek."
Varied dog policies: Pet restrictions differ substantially. A Long Lake visitor shares, "The negatives as a dog owner is that dogs are not allowed on most trails or on to the beach... All the nice beach area was not open for a dog. My pup was pretty sad."
Tips for camping with families
Pursue ranger programs: State parks offer organized activities for children. At Mauthe Lake Campground, families appreciate that there's a "Nice beach/swimming area, bike path, and playground for the kids. Also the most beautiful sunset over the lake and pines in July."
Consider reservation timing: Weekend spots fill months in advance during summer. "If you plan to camp for a weekend, you must make a reservation way in advance," advises a Kohler-Andrae visitor who arrived midweek instead.
Look for dual-purpose sites: Some parks accommodate mixed lodging needs. Village Inn provides flexibility as "The hotel is convenient for your family and friends to stay if they don't have a camper."
Seek out shallow swimming areas: Lakes in the area vary in depth and safety. "The lake is rather shallow so best for swimming in early summer or warm fall days," notes a Long Lake visitor, making it ideal for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations matter: Not all rv sites near Sheboygan accommodate larger vehicles. At Village Inn on the Lake, a visitor cautions, "The RV sites are small.. if you have a neighbor with a slide out then you lose half of your green space. That's a big drawback."
Check electrical service specifications: Service varies between 30-amp and 50-amp availability. Westward Ho RV Resort provides 50-amp hookups while many state parks offer only 30-amp connections.
Site layout affects privacy: Site orientation impacts enjoyment. A Kohler-Andrae camper notes, "Only flaw is the inconsistency with fire pits, some on the opposite side that doesn't give you much privacy for a campfire. The sites on the road aren't great, but at least the picnic table and fire pits are secluded with those."
Satellite reception varies: Tree cover impacts service. Sites in the 700s loop at Long Lake have denser wooding that can interfere with satellite reception compared to more open sites in the 900s loop.
