South Nicolet Bay Campground — Peninsula State Park

Peninsula State Park is a huge state park with five campgrounds with over 400 sites (not including group sites) and it can be overwhelming trying to decide where to stay. Our decision was narrowed down somewhat because two of the campgrounds were closed for the season. We camped in South Nicolet along Nicolet Bay for two nights. Our first night was on the water but because heavy rains were forecasted, we relocated to another site closer to the bathrooms for the second night, putting up with the “hum” for a closer dash in the rain. There is so much to do in the park itself and Door County in general. However, we were here during the week in October so while the campground was quiet, bicycle and boat rentals were not available. Many great hiking trails. My only beef is that Wisconsin State parks charge more than many other states and, in general, facilities are not always as well maintained (bathrooms were a little dated and not the cleanest but sufficient for a campground). Still - this is a great place from which to explore Door County!

Great park in Door County

Right in Door County with lot of things to do.  Great wineries and restaurants and shops in the vicinity.   Within the park there are awesome hiking trails right long the water and nice swimming on the nice beach.

 The sites are nice and big, with plenty of shade.  The bathroom/shower building is build, with private shower rooms accessible from the outside.

Awesome park, great views, great sites

We love this campground. Actually, all the loops in Peninsula State Park are pretty nice. Campsites are not too big, and maybe bit too close to each other, but I didn't get a feeling of being cramped. Watch out for poison ivy, it's everywhere. Same with mosquitoes. But that's the beauty of outdoors, right? So be very careful, especially when you camp with your four legged friends. The park offers so much, a beautiful beach (no dogs on the beach), tons of wonderful hiking trails (some with a decent - for Midwest - elevation change), with stunning views. Catching a sunset is a must! Bike and canoe rentals. Close to towns. Restrooms are decent, some showers have warm water. The only drawback is the long drive through the park to get in and out. And the poison ivy. Otherwise beautiful location, with tons of stuff to do! 

Great Outdoors, Lot's of Trails and Fun Things to Do

This place is really beautiful because it is nearby the beach. The sites hear do offer privacy because of the dense trees all around us. the sites are really big and can fit a couple tents. The neighboring campsites are pretty close together

Beautiful

There are a lot of sites at this campground. I was hesitant to book here because with so many campsites I thought I would be camping too close to other sites. But I was proven wrong! 

The site I choose was mostly out of necessity as I booked late and got the last site available. But it was secluded enough that we could only see the people across from from us. The bathrooms were the standard modern variety with showers as well. 

The park itself is huge with plenty to keep you busy from hiking along cliffs to swimming to biking. In fact when I go back again I will have to bring my bike.

Great campground if a bit crowded

One of my favorite places to camp! It's a beautiful campground, with great hiking trails and fantastic views of the clear waters of Lake Michigan. Because of how amazing this place is, it does fill up and it can very busy on the weekends, especially in the warmer months, like July and August. Depending on the time of the year, it's best to make a campsite reservation in advance by at least a couple of months for this place. But they do offer walk up campsites. When I went in late May/early June, it was a little cooler of weather so not as many campers! I enjoy camping in south nicolet bay campground; it has easy and close access to the swimming beach and camp store. My favorite campsite is 868 for its views, and then 856 for its privacy. The campsites are close to one another, but there tends to be lots of shrubbery and trees in between the campsites, so you don't see your neighbors too much.

When visiting, I would recommend trying to bring your bicycle to Peninsula State Park! It's a large park and has an wonderful bike trail called Sunset Trail, which travels throughout the state park and brings you right along the shores of Lake Michigan. Also, try to hike Eagle Trail! Even though its difficult, it has some beautiful views of the lake and bluffs. There is lots to do at Peninsula State Park, along with some beautiful scenery and has become one of my favorite places to camp since I was a child.

Happy Camping at Peninsula State Park!

We had a great time! We mainly went to go to the beach. But after talking to a helpful ranger we decided to also go to the light house. The light house is beautiful and has a wonderful view. You can go on tours of it but we were to late to go on one. The beach was a hot spot for people to be. So if you want a good spot you need to get their early! Overall the park was beautiful and I wish we would of had more time there.

Beach

Peninsula State Park is a 3,776-acre park in Door County. The trails are extensive and fun for hiking, running, and biking.  The camping areas are nice with plenty to do around the park. There's even a golf course and harbor!  My favorite place is the historic lighthouse that sits on the bluff. If you enjoy hiking and trail running which is what I was there for this is a must go!

Great hiking trails

The campground in general is pretty fantastic. However, there is a loop of campgrounds in Nicolet Bay that, if you are lucky enough to reserve them, better than any campsite in the state. The trails and beach offer something for everyone. We’ve camped here before kids and with kids, and were never bored.

Nicolet Bay campsites are EVERYTHING 

Nicolet Bay Large campground, but easy water access, amenities reduced come mid Sept. but lovely in the fall - water front sites don't have water or electric - Park is great for hiking, and biking and proximity to what Door Co has to offer. -

Special park on the lake

We loved our visit to Door County and biking the state park. The camp spot was private and secluded with trees all around us. The park is so close to restaurants, shopping, and all sorts of fun attractions and fun things to do. Our site was so nice and close to the water!

Private and awesome biking and hiking trails

Really great area of door county with lots to do if you venture outside the park.

  

So much to do inside the park. Sand beach with playground and concessions/gift shop, bike rentals on big bike trails. Kayak rentals. Hiking trails. 

  

Our campsites have been super secluded from anyone else. So quiet at night. No one was really even playing music. Nice firepits. We saw deer down a hiking path and while we were driving in the park. 

  

Pro-tip for this campground: Don't leave ANY garbage or food outside at all! Late-night by the campfire a (HUGE) Racoon came up within 2 feet of me eyeballing my grahm crackers. Then went into zipped up garbage can. It wasn't mean, just hungry. To avoid those visitors visit the garbage cans regularly.

In TOUCH with wildlife

Penninsula State Park is the largest state park in the Wisconsin system, and that’s clear when visiting in the summer. I stayed at The South Nicolet Bay campgrounds at one of the sites closest to the water. The site was nice, with a reasonable amount of wooded space between neighbors. The real beauty of the site was a second clearing of the trees right next to Green Bay. Felt a lot more remote than expected in such a large, relatively crowded park. 
The park is near DC attractions and offers plenty  to do within the park including a variety of hikes good for various levels. 

Large, but Nice

Waterfront sites here are hard to get but reserving early is totally worth it. Beautiful state park with great hiking and biking trails. Right on Lake Michigan with nice sized sites and a beach, concession stand, kayak and paddle board rentals, tennis courts, nature center and so much more!

Waterfront on a Great Lake!

Site 870 is one of the waterfront campsites.  There is a clearing for a great view of the bay.  This does come with some caveats, as this site is the closest to the public beach.  All of the beach chatter echoes through the site, and once in a while people wandering from the beach would walk through my camp.  All in all, had a great stay.

Link to a video of my stay:
https://youtu.be/cGuOIdh5sVw

Great waterfront site

Beautiful huge state park and camping. Tons of hiking trails. Surrounding area gorgeous. Door County is a must see. 

Door County WI state park

We love camping and spending time at Peninsula State Park. The newly built lookout tower is amazing!

Always a Favorite!

Lasting memories have and continue to be made here. First my own kids and now my grandkids 