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Northern Wisconsin's Washburn area features diverse camping options along Lake Superior's southern shore. Memorial Park Campground on the north side of Washburn offers both wooded and open meadow sites with lake access for kayakers, while West End Thompson City Park on the south side provides more open sites suitable for larger RVs. Within a short drive, campers can access the Apostle Islands area with options ranging from mainland sites at Dalrymple Park in Bayfield to island camping experiences on Madeline Island at Big Bay State Park. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with a few year-round exceptions.
Camping permits and reservations are typically required throughout the area, especially during the peak summer season. According to one camper, "This campground is more to my liking as it has all types of sites. There are open meadow sites as well as wooded tree sites." Weather conditions can change rapidly along Lake Superior, with spring bringing potential shoreline flooding and summer featuring occasional biting insects. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with stronger signals typically available in sites closer to towns. Non-resident campers should note that Wisconsin state parks charge additional entrance fees beyond camping fees, which can increase costs substantially for out-of-state visitors.
Site characteristics vary widely across the region, with tent campers generally preferring the more wooded, secluded options. One reviewer noted that West End Thompson City Park is "not a really desirable location for tent camping. Few trees, small campsites, close together, no privacy." In contrast, nearby state parks like Copper Falls offer walk-in sites that provide more seclusion and natural settings. Lake access represents a major draw for many campgrounds, though boat ramps are limited. The camping season in the Apostle Islands area is particularly short, typically running from late June through Labor Day, as lake conditions become unpredictable in fall. Mosquitoes and biting flies can be prevalent in humid conditions, especially near water.
"Apostle Islands is part of a 21 islands chain at the northern tip of Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. On the mainland, the Lakeshore Trail weaves past cliffs and sea caves."
"We liked the easy drive through sites with full hookup. The campsites were tiered into the hill. This helped sound proof the campsites. "
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Dalrymple was just minutes away from Bayfield, and boat rides away from the Apostle Islands and Madeline Island."
"There are also some primitive tent walk-up sites. Nice campground, $30/night, can pay online when you arrive. Good cell reception. Most, if not all, sites have 30 and 20 amp service."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"It's directly on the lake, and it's connected to a bike trail that you can take to downtown or farther north along the lake."
"There was steady traffic of disappointed RVs driving through the grounds till 6-7pm. Water and electric sites only with a dump station on site."
from $45 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Late spring Wisconsin weather made its presence felt, but we were undeterred. Its hard to be disappointed when faced with the spectacular views of the Apostle Islands."
"Small but has some decent trails. Lovely to walk by the waters edge and skip rocks."
from $28 - $90 / night
Check Availability"This campground is on the north side of Washburn. This campground is more to my liking as it has all types of sites. There are open(meadow) sites as well as wooded tree sites."
"The campground was full when we pulled in at 6 pm but the hosts let us stay in an overflow area, right next to the lake. Lots of small rvs and tents, which we prefer to the big rv parks."
"This campground is located on the south side of Washburn. It is an open meadow campground with few trees. It does have a playground and lake access but no boat ramp."
"Self registration is nice and love being on the lake and walking distance to town."
"It was close to the water, just a walk away from a beach and hiking trail. The campsites were fairly private as far as car camping sites go."
"The campsites on the lake side are rustic only. The modern sites are secluded with a good buffer of woods between them. Nice privacy. "
from $33 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The area campgrounds are usually in the forest with bad solar, but this one is by a lake and I had GREAT solar days. I was able to keep my battery charged."
"Aside from it being next to the pit toilets, which wasn’t shown on the map on rec.gov, it was great. Thankfully the toilets didn’t stink and the wind blew away from our site."
from $8 - $15 / night
Check Availability"This is just outside of Ashland so you have access to supply runs. The campground felt like a park that blends into a camping area. We saw some nice walk in tenting sites."
"Great location, few spots so first come first serve. $35.00 a day, water and electricity, also tent sites. A nice park for family away from the camping grounds, but close enough."
"Great campground with swimming hole & great access to Bayside for island ferry’s! Complaints: Park is located on the side of a hill—Spots are small but level, roads are all at a slope."
"Location is great if you're looking to do some exploring. Was very quiet even though it was close to Labor Day weekend, and for the size of the campground."
from $25 - $35 / night
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ScoutVery quiet, I wouldn’t say it’s as secluded as I thought. There’s quite a big opening to the loop. I think we’re in spot 3. There was 1 left when we arrived at noon on a Saturday. Filled now. Very beautiful, average bugs.
LegendLucky find on the weekend. Wasn't busy.
LegendQuiet spot but no drinking water. Had to go back to Bessemer but found a spring to get water. A local showed me after asking at ace hardware. Great hiking to some waterfalls but some were closed.
GuideNice campground in WI. Large sites carved out of a forest. Feels very private without being claustrophobic. 10’s of miles of trails to different features: falls, lakes, etc. Vault toilets dispersed throughout campground but need some attention. Spent one night as we were just passing through but would stay again.
TravelerGreat campground right on the lake. Toilets and water source.
TravelerThis campground is located behind a casino but the views of Lake Superior are great from many of the sites. The modern bathrooms/showers are inside a side entrance in the casino. The sites are pretty tight and the utilities on some sites are shared meaning they may not be on the correct side for your camper. It is close to Bayfield. Call to make reservations.
TravelerThis Campground is in good condition with water and electric at the RV sites, separate tent areas, clean bath/shower facilities and a dump station. It is right across a quiet road from Lake Superior with a sand beach. It kind of a “Plain Jane” campground with the lake as the main attraction. It is fairly close to other Apostle island area activities. One tip is the the Camp Spot reservation system the campground now uses will try to get you pay an extra $5 “lock fee” to guarantee the site you just reserved and paid for. To further confuse you, the send you an confirmation email prior to your arrival stating you are guaranteed a spot but because you declined to pay the lock fee it may not be the one you reserved. The campground host assured me they never change the site so what you reserved is what you will get, so be sure to decline this needless charge, save your five dollars and use it to buy a coffee at the Cornucopia coffee shop. I did have decent T-Mobile phone service here at the campground.
GuideWe stayed here for 2 nights. A Saturday and Sunday night in August and we had the place to ourselves. The large open field is big enough to accommodate multiple groups though and we had no problem getting our 30 ft long rig back there. The grass was very long so it made it hard to see if the ground would be level or if there were rocks hiding on the ground. Loved our stay!
GuideThe dopest site with a couple of the boys. Hiked all around the area previously and finally camped. About a 15 min or so hike to our camp with gave a good feel of being disconnected.
Camping sites along Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin offer varied terrain and seasonal access conditions. Most Washburn area campgrounds operate May through mid-October with reduced services during shoulder seasons. Weather conditions can shift rapidly near the lake with temperature swings of 30°F possible within 24 hours.
Kayaking the Apostle Islands: Explore sea caves and remote shorelines from campsites in Bayfield. "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," notes a visitor at Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping.
Hiking to waterfalls: Access multiple falls within a 30-minute drive of Washburn. "The hiking trails are well-maintained and offer beautiful scenic views, making for an enjoyable trek through nature," reports a camper at Copper Falls State Park Campground.
Beach access: Most waterfront sites require walking down steep trails to reach shorelines. "The beach in the state park is absolutely gorgeous with access via a nice boardwalk through the forest and along the beach," mentions a camper about Big Bay State Park.
Artesian well water: Local spring water sources are available at several sites. "Artesian well has nationally recognized quality of water on campground," notes a camper at West End Thompson City Park.
Wooded privacy: Heavily forested sites provide better seclusion than open meadow areas. "Sites are fairly large and have lots of trees and woods surrounding them, though you may likely still be able to see your neighbors a bit," reports a camper at Big Bay State Park Campground.
Ferry access to island camping: Madeline Island camping requires advance planning for vehicle transport. "It takes a ferry to get here, but it is a must see! Lake Superior is beautiful, and the campsites are nice and private," notes a visitor about Big Bay State Park.
Limited tent-only options: Many sites prioritize RVs or require specific equipment. "I would not recommend this campground for anything larger than a pop up or teardrop. The sites are close together and hilly," explains a camper at Dalrymple Park and Campground.
First-come availability: Many sites cannot be reserved ahead. "This is a first come first serve campground - no reservations. However, campers have the option of staying the entire season if they want to pay up front for it (May to October)," notes a visitor about West End Thompson City Park.
Wildlife encounters: Bears frequent island and mainland sites during summer months. "We had a wonderful weekend there and saw a few black bears. And one even meandered through our camp site," reports a camper at Apostle Islands Area.
Beach safety awareness: Lake Superior waters remain cold even in summer. "The swim beach is nice, just a short walk from the parking lot at the ranger station. Plenty of bathroom facilities," notes a visitor at Copper Falls State Park.
Playground proximity: Several campgrounds include play areas near camping loops. "There is a nice play area and beach, and it is obvious from the huge carved trout which fish reigns here," reports a visitor about West End Thompson.
Island exploration with kids: Big Bay Town Park offers protected water access. "Little diy canoe rental in the lagoon," notes one visitor, while another adds, "Super cool place to walk the boardwalk down the side of the lake. Or even walk in the water. There were people swimming in the bay."
Limited level sites: Most campgrounds require significant leveling equipment. "I think all the sites will require quite a bit of leveling. The sites a small, this campground is best for tent campers or small campers," explains a visitor at Dalrymple Park.
Ferry size constraints: Kreher RV Park offers mainland alternatives to island camping. "This is a great campground. It's directly on the lake, and it's connected to a bike trail that you can take to downtown or farther north along the lake," reports a visitor.
Dump station locations: Limited facilities for waste disposal require planning. "The dump station is on a hill and with a longer rig our tow vehicle felt in the way of the entrance/exit and the road to the boat launch," notes a camper at Kreher RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there campgrounds with electricity near Washburn, Wisconsin?
Yes, several campgrounds near Washburn offer electrical hookups. Apostle Islands Area RV Park and Camping provides full electrical service specifically designed for RVs and is conveniently located for exploring the Apostle Islands region. Kreher RV Park near Ashland (a short drive from Washburn) also offers electrical hookups with boat-in and drive-in access. For those willing to travel slightly further, Copper Falls State Park Campground has limited electrical sites that should be reserved well in advance, especially during peak summer months.
Can I rent an RV in Washburn, Wisconsin for camping?
While Washburn itself has limited RV rental options, several alternatives exist in the surrounding area. The nearby towns of Ashland and Bayfield typically offer seasonal RV rentals through private owners and small businesses. Dalrymple Park and Campground in Bayfield is a convenient destination if you secure an RV rental, with 28 sites just minutes from town and the Apostle Islands. Online peer-to-peer RV rental platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy also list rentals in the greater Northern Wisconsin region. For the best selection and rates, book well in advance of your trip, especially during the peak summer season.
What campgrounds are available in Washburn, WI?
Washburn offers several excellent camping options. Memorial Park Campground on the north side of town features a variety of sites including both open meadow and wooded areas, with lake access perfect for launching kayaks. West End Thompson City Park on the south side provides an open meadow setting with playground facilities and lake access, making it particularly suitable for larger RVs. Both campgrounds provide convenient access to Washburn's amenities while offering different camping experiences based on your preferences for shade, proximity to water, and site layout.
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