Tent camping near South Range, Wisconsin offers options across both established campgrounds and undeveloped forest lands. The region sits within the coniferous-deciduous transition zone of northwestern Wisconsin at elevations between 900-1,200 feet. Weather fluctuates significantly with summer temperatures averaging 75°F and winter lows often below 0°F, creating distinct camping seasons from May through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Gafvert Campground provides access to numerous fishing spots along the waterways of Nemadji State Forest. A visitor noted it "was hard to find a campsite because it's first-come-first-serve, but we were able to find a spot closer to the trails. There was a beautiful lake near the campgrounds."
ATV and dirt bike trails: The Garfvert Nemadji State Forest trail system extends for miles through varying terrain. One camper mentioned, "Excellent campground if your into ATV use camping. Offers hundreds of miles of 4 wheeling and snowmobiling. Can't forget dirtbikes and UTV as well."
Paddling routes: The Namekagon Trail Bridge area connects to extensive waterways ideal for multi-day paddle trips. A paddler recommended, "Instead of paddling down the river I'd recommend turning this into a nice float/fishing trip. They provide nice maps depicting where off shore camping sites are."
What campers like
Seclusion and privacy: Many campers appreciate the quieter locations in the South Range region, particularly at Schoen Park where one camper shared, "This is a great spot for the primitive campers. There are no real sites more of a dispersed camping area. No reservations. The reason we like it so much as it's very private and a beautiful view of the river."
Natural surroundings: The forested environment provides ample shade and wildlife viewing. At Garfvert, campers note it's recommended "if you want a deeper woods experience without many people. Accessible trails, good, flat sizeable spots."
Water access: Multiple camping locations offer direct lake or river access. A Bear Lake County Park camper shared, "We enjoyed the fishing, hiking, and canoeing (rental from the park). The sites were on the smaller side but being on the water made up for that. It was very private and had nice trees surrounding it."
What you should know
Vehicle size limitations: Many of the primitive sites have restricted access. At Schoen Park, a camper warned, "Don't try to bring any thing to big into here or you will be in trouble. We have a 19' travel trailer and it wasn't a problem but turning around is tight."
Seasonal closures: Most primitive campgrounds in the area close during winter months, while the developed sites have limited services. A Cloquet-Duluth KOA visitor noted their season runs "May 1 to Oct 12."
Train noise: Several campgrounds in the region are within earshot of active rail lines. One camper observed, "Like so many RV/campgrounds this one is also located near to railroad tracks that has several trains that come through day and night."
Limited services: Most dispersed camping options require complete self-sufficiency. A camper at Nemadji State Forest mentioned the forest "offers a water pump and outhouses. A shallow boat launch with a dock. Additionally a picnic area for day use."
Tips for camping with families
Developed options for amenities: Families often prefer campgrounds with more facilities. One family at Cloquet-Duluth KOA shared, "Came in august for Thomas the train in Duluth. This campground is great. Tons of trees for shade. Everything you Need to enjoy a weekend away. Pool, hot tub, WiFi, showers, arcade, laundry, c store, and lots more."
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds can get busy with recreational vehicles. A visitor cautioned, "Great family campground with a lot of young kids running around, riding bikes, and playing and dogs in most campsites."
Off-peak timing: Several campers recommend visiting in spring or fall for fewer crowds. A Bear Lake visitor mentioned, "Visiting in the fall was ideal - I bet this place is packed during the summer months!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At many campgrounds, RV sites vary significantly in privacy and size. A camper at Cloquet-Duluth KOA noted, "The staff were friendly. One staff drove a cart right to our campsite and helped us determine the best way to back in our RV for the most privacy."
Dump station logistics: Plan for potential waits at dump stations, especially during peak times. One RVer mentioned, "Dump station is conveniently located on your way out of the grounds but can get backed up at the end of a busy weekend and can make it difficult to exit the campground."
Supply accessibility: Most campgrounds are within reasonable driving distance of basic supplies. A camper shared, "Kwik Trip down the road has everything you forgot to bring but there's a full grocery just a few miles from the campground. Small but well stocked. Easy on easy off from I35."
