Glamping and luxury camping options are scattered throughout Upson, Wisconsin and the surrounding area within the Ottawa National Forest at elevations between 1,300-1,600 feet. Most glamping sites in the region maintain seasonal operations from May through early October, with some sites suspending operations during the black fly season (typically mid-May through June). Winter glamping accommodations require special arrangements for access as several park roads aren't maintained during snow season.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 4 miles from Black River Harbor Campground, visitors access a series of cascading waterfalls through well-maintained but challenging trails. "Five named waterfalls that are simply amazing, each awe inspiring along with several hidden un-named falls that anywhere else would be named and a major attraction," notes a visitor to Ottawa National Forest Black River Harbor Campground.
ATV trail access: Direct routes connect from multiple campgrounds to extensive trail systems spanning into Wisconsin. "This is a perfect small sized campground with trail access to UTV/Atv trails. If you are coming here to ride I would recommend going west on the trail," suggests a camper at Schomberg Park. The park maintains a $1-per-minute coin-operated ATV wash station.
Lake Superior kayaking: Rentals available seasonally at multiple outfitters for paddling along the shoreline. "We kayaked to many campgrounds and islands in the national lakeshore. Paddling a total of 60 miles we were able to make it to 3 different island campgrounds," writes a visitor to the Apostle Islands area. Many glamping providers offer shore launch access.
What campers like
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing from late summer through fall. "Get on the water and it is not so bad. I was able to grab a site near the water so I could get in and out with the kayak, but also the location lended itself to other lakes to fish nearby as well," explains a camper at Sandy Beach Lake Campground.
Private lake access: Several sites offer direct water entry from camping areas. "Our site had a slight lake view but site 1925 looked amazing. Families staying here had kids swimming right off the campsite in the very nice lake," reports a visitor to Sandy Beach Lake Campground. Lake sites typically cost $5-10 more per night than standard sites.
Old-growth forest immersion: The region contains one of North America's largest remaining old-growth forest systems. A camper at Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping notes, "The trails can be impassable at times during the late Spring and the black flies will disappear usually by August but they can stick around. Check trail conditions often!"
What you should know
Variable campsite conditions: Quality can differ significantly between sites at the same campground. "The sites are close together and not private. The campground was never dark or quiet," reports a camper at Lake Gogebic State Park Campground. Requesting waterfront or outer loop sites generally provides more privacy.
Limited connectivity: Most campgrounds have minimal or no cell service. "It is a beautiful spot in a peaceful and quiet setting," notes a visitor to Henry Lake Campground, while another camper mentions, "Cell service was really spot (can be a good thing when camping), and I wasn't able to pick up a lot of radio stations either."
Seasonal weather challenges: Even summer nights can drop to 40°F, especially near Lake Superior. "Originally we reserved a space by the lake. But the people at the next site were taking up our space. So we moved to another. Which was fine with us as we were tent camping and it was pretty cold (40 degree range) and windy and being off the lake seemed better," explains a Lake Gogebic visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several sites feature dedicated play areas for children. "Very friendly staff, nice camp store. Sites ok, pretty tight. Quiet place with nice playground," notes a camper at Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping.
Beach swimming options: Several lakes offer designated swimming areas with gradual entry. "The beach area was nice with a nice big sandy beach for the kids," notes a Lake Gogebic camper. Most swimming beaches don't have lifeguards and typically close at sunset.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning hours (6-9am) offer the best chances to spot wildlife. "We were entertained by a group of baby ducks that liked hanging out near our campsite," a visitor to Lake Gogebic notes. Bird watchers should bring binoculars for loon sightings, particularly common on smaller lakes.
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dumping facilities. "There is not a true dump station, only a spot near the bathroom that you can pull up to dump, but then you have to back out of it," mentions a visitor to Frontier RV Park and Campground.
Electric hookup limitations: Many sites offer only 30-amp service. "Nice level gravel pads, some have full hookups. Ok for a one night stopover," reports a Frontier RV Park visitor. Several campgrounds recommend calling ahead during peak season (July-August) to confirm hookup availability.
Road condition considerations: Access to some glamping sites involves unpaved roads. "About 5 miles in on a dirt road, but the sites are pretty nice and secluded," notes a Henry Lake visitor. Many luxury glamping sites provide detailed driving directions with alternative routes during spring thaw when roads may become rutted.
