Potawatomi State Park sits at the southern end of the Door County Peninsula, offering camping with shoreline views of Green Bay. The park spans 1,225 acres of mixed hardwood forest with 3.5 miles of water frontage and serves as the eastern terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Campgrounds near Sturgeon Bay maintain specific rules regarding pets, with most requiring leashes no longer than 8 feet.
What to do
Hiking near water access: Daisy Field Campground at Potawatomi State Park provides direct trail connections. "Love camping here. Tone of hiking for all kinds of people!" notes Megan J. The park features multiple observation points along the trails.
Mini golf and recreation: Tranquil Timbers offers recreational options beyond hiking. "We have been camping here for a few years now multiple times a year. We love this place. Quiet. Lots to do for kids. Pool, mini golf, game room, tennis courts, soccer, volleyball a rec center with games, TV ect," explains Ann S.
Waterpark activities: For families seeking water recreation, Harbour Village Resort provides multiple pool options. "Great for families of all sizes and ages. Waterpark with little kids zero entry pool, adults only pool, swimming pond with nice sand beach," says Jenny F., highlighting the variety of water-based options available.
What campers like
Wooded privacy: Many campers value the secluded feel of certain sites. At Potawatomi State Park, John B. notes, "The site is awesome. It's heavily wooded with lots of space between sites." This natural separation creates a more private camping experience.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the maintenance of bathrooms and showers as important factors. "The bathrooms and shower house were clean. The heated pool was nice on cool nights," reports Amanda W. about Frontier Wilderness Campground, showing the value placed on these facilities.
Strategic location: Proximity to both nature and town appeals to many visitors. Craig R. says of Tranquil Timbers, "Nice, quiet campground. Family oriented and right next to a state park for hiking, biking & running. Spacious sites with fire ring & table. Great place to explore the peninsula from."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy between sites. "Good campground with clean bathrooms and showers. Very close to Sturgeon Bay. The sites were a little less secluded than we expected but weren't on top of each other by any means," reports Erin P. about Potawatomi State Park.
Pet policies differ: While many campgrounds accept pets, the enforcement of rules varies. At Tranquil Timbers, Amanda W. cautions, "Tranquil Timbers advertises pet friendly but they ARE NOT pet friendly. If your dog makes any kind of noise whatsoever, they are NOT welcome."
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels on weekends. Scott W. notes about Harbour Village: "Our only complaint was that there was a HUGE party at the RV sites. Music blasting so loud from 7pm - 11:30pm. (Quiet hours are from 11pm - 8am)."
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Harbour Village Resort offers extensive children's activities. Jenny F. explains, "Great for families of all sizes and ages. Waterpark with little kids zero entry pool, adults only pool, swimming pond with nice sand beach, tennis, basketball, soccer, beaseball/kickball, pedal bike rental, hayrides, outdoor theater."
Family-friendly amenities: Door County KOA Holiday provides specific amenities for children. Megan reports, "The kids love this place! With 2 pools, water slide, and splash pad, they are always busy and happy! The bathroom and shower building is wonderful and kept very clean."
Quieter sections for families: If seeking a less busy experience, choose certain sections within larger campgrounds. At Door County KOA Holiday, Andrew C. suggests, "We have stayed in a field site as well as wooded sites. The field sites are good for groups and going with friends, if you are looking for a quiet low key experience then go to a wooded site."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup variations: Not all sites offer the same level of services. Ken F. notes about Countryside Motel & RV Sites, "Water and electric only. Located near very small village couple taverns and a mini mart. Less than a mile from the waters of Green Bay."
Free pump service: Some campgrounds offer additional services for RVs without sewer hookups. Amanda W. shares about Frontier Wilderness: "I was worried about not having a sewer hookup but their free pump service more than made up for it. We will definitely visit again!"
Pull-through availability: RVers looking for easy access should note campgrounds with pull-through sites. "We had a large, private pull through site. There was a pool and a slow water slide for the kids," mentions Melissa H. about her experience at pet-friendly camping near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.