Looking for the best options for tent camping near Sturgeon Bay? Finding a place to camp in Wisconsin with your tent has never been easier. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Newport's wilderness experience offers over 2,300 acres of forest on 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 30 miles of hiking trails, and backpack camping as a quiet alternative to bustling Door County. At the far end of the Door Peninsula, Newport is also designated as a Dark Sky Park, a perfect destination for stargazing.
Newport State Park offers rustic, backpack camping for visitors. Camping is allowed in designated campsites only.
Newport has 17 backpack (hike-in) campsites, including one group site. All sites can be reserved. Campers must hike or bike in all gear and supplies. There are no carts available at the park. There are a few amenities at the sites, including a pit toilet, fire ring with flip-up grill, a lock box for food and a bench or two. Water is available at the park office or at a solar pump near the picnic shelter by Lot 3 (seasonally). There are no shower facilities at the park. All garbage must be carried out of all campsites.
$20 / night
$20 - $22 / night
When you’re ready to beat the summer heat, and enjoy some family-friendly camping and outdoor fun, it’s time to head for Harbour Village. Just an hours’ drive northeast of Green Bay, this 300-acre resort features waterslides, swimming and fishing ponds, splash pad, sand beach, sports areas, putt-putt golf, an RC racetrack, and several playgrounds. There’s also plenty of fun for big kids (adults) as well, including disc golf, horseshoes, and shuffleboard, and an adults-only pool and hot tub. The resort also has nature trails for strolling through the woods and watching for local wildlife, and an outdoor theater that shows movies on weekends that can be enjoyed from your own picnic blanket. The campground at Harbor Village features 200 tent and RV campsites so you can settle in just how you like. Tent campers can choose from modern sites with water and electricity, or more secluded, primitive sites for “roughing it.” RV and trailer sites are available with back-in and pull-through pads, all with hookups. Sites are available in wooded and open areas, and all are equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. Campground amenities include drinking water, bathhouses, laundry facilities, and recycling and dump stations. An onsite store sells groceries, ice, firewood, water toys, clothing and games. Dogs are permitted, but must remain leashed, and stay in designated areas. Seasonal campsite rates range from $28–$70/night; cabin rates $65–$190/night. If you want to double your fun at Harbour Village, plan your visit for one of their themed weekends. Pack your hats and boots for Cowboy Weekend, don your favorite Wisconsin sports team wear for Wisco Weekend, or come dressed as your favorite hero for Superhero Weekend—with a golf cart parade! For food and drink fun, plan to visit during Irish Fest or Oktoberfest. Join the festivities for Christmas in July, Summer Halloween, or the Pirate Pool Party Weekend. Come for scavenger hunts, craft sales, pet parades, community potlucks, and free, live entertainment. With so much fun to be enjoyed at Harbour Village, you may need to plan more than one vacation.
This Park offers a great swimming hole (no life guard on duty), A large Pavilion (with electric) for picnic lunches, Pitt Toilets, running water and of coarse great fishing on the Menominee River.
Four sites are available for over night camping, non-electric sites only for $10 per night.
$10 / night
Legend
shower and restroom facility in the campground. Site had electricity. Campground has a boat launch for kayaks and canoes. Big rig friendly with a gravel pad. Dump station with potable water fill up station as well.
Traveler
Peaceful, quiet, easy to book and well kept! Bathroom was ice cold and only cold water in bathroom. Very nice hot water in shower house. 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! Very peaceful!!
Traveler
Very nice and and quite! Bathroom only has cold water but shower house has nice hot water. We are here on a Monday and it made us pay for 2 nights so that’s my biggest complaint but this is a very secluded and clean park so I’d stay here again!
Legend
Great place to stay! Big rig friendly! Gravel pads and each site comes with a picnic table and fire pit. Bathrooms in the campground were clean and I believe there were showers.
GuideWe stayed in the primitive area which wasn't crowded at all just after labor day. The sites were nice and wooded with lots of privacy. It rained most of the time we were there so we didn't get to explore much. Tried to walk down to the lake from our site, but just got to the top of the cliffs on the lake.
The automated pay system insisted we pay for 2 nights since they considered Thursday to be a weekend night. This is just silly. Thursday is NOT a weekend night.
We only spent one night due to the rain.
Traveler
This was our first experience with a “bells and whistles” type campground. And we were very pleased with the quality of the amenities that we have previously done without.
The newer playground is now open/free and includes a pickleball court, which was enjoyed by everyone. There is also a nice little convenience store and a bar/restaurant with a patio that overlooks the play area. It’s a great setup for parents who feel comfortable letting their kids play at a distance.
The toilets and showers were just spotless and so clean. That was honestly such a pleasant and welcomed surprise.
We were fortunate to have a more wooded spot within the circle section of the campground but it was not as wooded/secluded as other camping experiences we’ve had. But we knew this going in and were really pleased with the amount of greenery we got along with the amenities.
Would definitely come back!
Traveler
The views are beautiful but all the camping spots are grass, we instantly sunk the second we tried to park ! Bring blocks if you want to stay!
Guide
Great campground my family loves. Can't wait to go back
Scout
We rented a camper for the first time and decided to go here. We appreciated the facilities and the fact that there was help available if necessary.
The campground is big with lots of sites. Some are in a big field that was really crowded. I’m glad we asked for a wooded site.
The biggest downside was noise. We were there over the 4th of July. There were golf carts that circled the campgrounds blaring loud music on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of July. I get celebrating the 4th but this was pretty annoying.
But overall this was good. It helped me realize I prefer more remote camping. I’m not sure the resort feel of this KOA is for me, but that is a preference. There is a lot to like and a lot to do here.
Scout
Wonderful campground with great friendly service. We will definitely be returning on our trips to door county
Traveler
The campground is clean and organized well, with each space separated by trees/bush/woods. The drinking water is not good so be sure to pack enough. The beaches are very clean and great for walking at different points in the day. Site 28 was a bit small.
GuideGreat views of Lake Michigan! Beautiful sandy beach just a short walk away! Really nice playground for the kids. Overall, one of our favorite places to connected camp!
LegendHuge campground, and I guess we were lucky to snag a site mid week in August, as there were only two sites left when we arrived in the early afternoon.
You get a choice of electric or non electric. We paid $25 for a non-electric site (weekends are higher rate). You also have to pay the Wisconsin state park entry fee at $13/day for non residents, or $38 for an annual pass.
The dump station gets really backed up at the end of the weekend, so heads up.
Also, a portion of the beach is dog friendly, so if that’s important to you then try and get a site close to the dog friendly portion (south of the lighthouse), otherwise it’s a good mile walk from the other end of the campground to the dog area. Leashes required at all times, except for when the dog is actively frolicking in the water.
The concession stand here looks really nice, like a full service restaurant. Showers are nice and free. Water spigots throughout campground, or there’s a water fill at the dump station. There’s a little free library here too:)
Campground will be closed until May 24, 2024 for maintenance on the waterlines.
LegendBeautiful large but serene campground in the Peninsula State Park. Each site is very private and nicely spaced from the neighbor. Levelness is variable between sites. Some sites have 50 and 30 amp electric, and some have no hookups. There is a dump station and water fill near this campground, which serves all the campground in the state park. There are a ton of dump holes and lanes, it’s like a costco gas station.
This campground has a kayak launch right at the campground, AND it’s an easy walk from this campground to the Nature Center and to the Northern Sky Theater, as well as several walking and biking trails that wind around through this park. It’s also not too far of a walk to Nicolet Beach where there is a boat ramp and a store and equipment rentals.
Cell service is minimal here, both for Verizon and ATT, service would come in and out, very unreliable, though some texts would eventually go through. We got really lucky and got a spot on a Saturday in August- the entire park (all campgrounds within the park) were completely booked, but right before we pulled up to ask if there was any availability, someone had just vacated their site a night early so we were able to snag it. It’s too pricey at $42/night, PLUS the state park fee of $13/day or $38/year (good through the end of that year, not for 12 months).
Showers were nice and free. Wisconsin is great with recycling and there are mixed recycling bins that take everything, even glass (no plastic bags though).
Legend
Nice and quiet, smaller campground within the Peninsula State Park. These sites are non-electric/no hookups. The dump station and water fill is near Tennison Bay Campground.
There are flush toilets and showers that could use a remodel or a deep cleaning. You’re really close to the bay here, and the Sunset Bike Trail goes right alongside this campground.
There’s a host on site, water, trash and recycling. Cell service is weak but there.
Legend
North and South Nicolet Bay campgrounds is where the action is. It felt like spring break out at the beach and boat ramp (no pets allowed on beach).
North Nicolet has no power sites, all are no hookups. There is a dump station and water fill near Tennison Bay campground.
Campground is very close to the beach, and you definitely hear the shrieking children from the beach, especially if you get a site close to the beach like we did, so heads up.
There’s a host on site, flush toilets, and showers. Recycling and garbage here as well as a playground.
RangerAgain, we stayed here for one night on our way elsewhere. We have to come back and make it our destination next time. Clean bathrooms… excellent camp hosts. Weekdays in the fall.. so quiet and peaceful.
Ranger
On Lake Michigan not much else to say!
Traveler
This has been our favorite yearly destination. We go to campsite 12 as it is ON Lake Michigan with a small private pebble beach. (Water shoes are a must!) The water depth is about waist deep for as far as you can go out so it is great for kids and snorkling. My husband likes to put his hammock between the two trees at the shoreline. The hike in is about 1.8 miles and can be pretty bumpy! A cart could probably get pulled in if you were patient. We backpack with out 8 and 4 year old and they do just fine with the hike. There is fresh water at the ranger station and clean bathrooms.
Guide
We did a quick one-night trip to Rock Island and stayed at one of the backpacking sites. It was fun to take the two ferries in to the island, and the campsite was a very short hike from the dock. We did a day hike around the whole island that afternoon/evening and departed the next day. I would not have wanted to stay for longer than the one night since the island is too small to permit much in the way of day hiking, but it was a fun destination for the short trip.
GuideI visited Rock Island on 8/12/23, during the peak Perseid meteor shower viewing period. Rock island SP is a dark sky spot and combine that with lesser people around, it was a perfect location for stargazing!
About the site(20): Very spacious but the distance btw the picnic table/tent and the fire ring was somewhat far. Can see the neighbors but far enough to maintain some privacy. A short walk to the beach! There are sites that are closer to the water (i think 26-28) and i would definitely stay in one of those sites next time.
Island in general: Like many people mentioned, there’s a water pump near the boat house and pit toilets scattered thru the campsites. Firewood are sold for $7/bundle during 4:30pm-5:30pm. Bring cash!!
One big no-no: SPIDERS. WHY SO MANY SPDIERS?!?!? spiders are crawling everywhere. Yeah the beach was so nice and didnt feel like I was in Wisconsin but there are COUNTLESS SPIDERS crawling on the beach. Why?!?!? So no to a picnic blanket, a camp chair is a MUST.
I was only there for one night to see the meteor shower but will definitely return to enjoy the island, check out the lighthouse and come fully prepared for some anti-spiders measures. There’s also a tour led by the ranger/friends of the Rock Island org (not sure which) and SUP/kayak rental as well.
Scout
Beautiful campground, wonderful company but horrible staff.
Traveler
You are in the woods, but with all of the amenities! The location is in the middle of everything. We stayed in July 2023 and would definitely return. Cell service was good, and their clubhouse area was cute.
Scout
Very clean, and well cared for! Nice playground and aesthetically pleasing! Our site had own fire pit, and owners were extremely nice! Enjoyed the stay!
Scout
Lasting memories have and continue to be made here. First my own kids and now my grandkids
Guide
Great spot that is cheaper than most places nearby. Scott was really nice and got us checked in without any issues. Great location and near to fishing,restaurants and the beach.
Guide
What a great little spot to visit. They have many sites in the field or in the woods. Most with electric 30/50 amp and a beautiful lake with many family friendly things to do. The people are friendly and they have clean showers and bathrooms along with laundry.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sturgeon Bay, WI is Newport State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 32 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Sturgeon Bay, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
