Camping near Oconto Falls, Wisconsin centers around the Oconto River which flows through the Nicolet National Forest region. The area features a mix of sandy-dirt terrain that can become muddy after rain, and summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during peak camping season. Campgrounds in the region operate primarily from April through October, with most facilities closing before the first significant snowfall.
What to do
River activities: Holtwood Campsite Municipal Park offers excellent river access with affordable rental options. "Campground is tons of fun. There are canoe, bike, tube, and other rentals to make the most of being on the river!" notes one visitor who enjoyed the riverside amenities.
Historical exploration: Old Oconto Copper Culture State Park Campground features archaeological sites and interpretive trails. "This park is named after the little-understood Copper Culture people; so named because we have little more information about them other than their use of the metal," explains one visitor who found the historical aspects compelling.
Fishing opportunities: The waterways around Oconto Falls provide excellent fishing conditions, particularly at Chute Pond Park. A regular visitor mentions, "The fishing is fantastic. Even a place to ride a tube down a lazy river," highlighting the combination of fishing and water recreation available.
What campers like
Affordable rates: Peshtigo River Campground offers good value with reasonable fees for both camping and activities. "We thought we had a small site- until we got there. Site 86 is the smallest on the map but it is not small at all!" notes a pleased camper who found ample space despite booking what appeared to be a small site.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain good standards for bathrooms and showers. One visitor to Peshtigo River Campground commented, "It has some of the cleanest bathrooms we've ever found," demonstrating the commitment to cleanliness at facilities near Oconto Falls.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide generous camping spaces with room for multiple setups. At North Bay Shore Park, a camper observed, "All are level and very generous in size. While they don't necessarily have a physical separation between them, sites are spaced a good distance apart from each other."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds have unusual booking policies, with some requiring minimum stays even on weeknights. A camper at North Bay Shore Park noted, "They made us pay for 2 nights when we only stayed for one on a Monday(not a weekend) but I'd absolutely recommend this campground!"
Seasonal closures: Most facilities close by October 31st, though exact dates vary. Brown County Reforestation Campground remains accessible for longer periods, with one visitor mentioning, "Only spent 1 night but this is a beautiful campground. LOTS of birds, forested, so many trails for hiking and mountain biking."
Water access challenges: Hookup locations can be inconvenient at some sites. At Bay Shore Park, campers reported, "The electric and water hookups were on opposite sides of the site, and we had to keep adjusting the travel trailer to get both to actually hook up."
Terrain considerations: The soil composition around Oconto Falls can create challenges after rain. At Bay Shore Park, visitors noted, "The ground was a sandy-dirt, which wasn't too bad at first, but after an overnight rain it was a muddy mess."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature recently upgraded play areas. At Shawano County Park, a visitor mentioned, "Lots of playground equipment for the kids. You can rent out a TeePee to camp in," offering unique camping options for families with children.
Swimming areas: Beach facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "There is a nice playground and a smaller swing set; both are in different locations behind campsites, making it a bit awkward to access," noted a visitor to North Bay Shore Park, highlighting the importance of checking facility layouts when planning with children.
Educational opportunities: Hiking trails often include interpretive elements. At Chute Pond Park, families can enjoy "a little footbridge to fish off of, a playground, and a nice beach. You can rent out kayaks and little boats," according to a regular visitor who recommends these features for families.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging site configurations for longer vehicles. At Chute Pond Park, campers noted "some sites are harder to back into with long trailers. But over all sites have easy access."
Utility placements: RVers should check hookup locations before setting up. At North Bay Shore Park, a visitor mentioned, "There's no potable water at the dump station," which can complicate water tank refills for RV campers not assigned to water sites.
Winter storage: Most campgrounds in the Oconto Falls region don't offer RV storage, requiring seasonal campers to find alternative arrangements. One long-term visitor to Holtwood Campground shared, "We are spending a month at Holtwood Campground Oconto, in our motor home, while preparing our boat for winter storage."
