South Shore Camping

duluth_bishop May 12, 2011 7 Comments

I did not plan ahead very well for this summer to get my camping reservations established at the 6 month or 1 year window reservations open up. Probably for the best as this encourages some exploration. I’m looking for advice on campgrounds along the south shore of the Lake. I haven’t done much camping in Wisconsin — a few nights on Madeline — that’s it [not including sleeping in the car in Superior]. Anybody willing to share their favorite camping spots in northern Wisconsin? I don’t need hook-ups or showers or KOA amenities. A developed swimming area and beach would be nice, as the kids will be in tow.

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7 Comments

Jake

about 14 years ago 

Check out the Herbster campground. It's right on the lake, and beautiful.

cando

about 14 years ago 

Keep driving to Upper Michigan and stay on the Pictured Rock national lakeshore. It's a far drive but worth it. Twelve mile beach (right on lake superior), Chapel Rock (backcountry and requires a free permit) and Kingston Lake (very quiet, beautiful, loon filled lake a 3 mile walk from Lake Superior) are my favorites.

Mashtato

about 14 years ago 

Have you been to Amnicon State Park? It doesn't have a beach per se, but swimming in the waterfall is a unique experience.

Blazer

about 14 years ago 

Ditto to Cando...South Shore is great, but the 140 mile trip up to Ontonagan and over to the Porcupine Mtn's brings you into a whole new realm of seemingly infinite trails and campsites & immense beauty, with many along the beach.
 pdf map:
http://www.michigandnr.com/Publications/PDFS/RecreationCamping/Porkies_Unit.pdf

On that note, the whole damn lake rocks!

esko

about 14 years ago 

Apostle Islands Area Campground in Bayfield is a favorite of ours, http://www.apostleislandsareacampground.com/. It doesn't have a beach, though.

'Def Leppard' Enthusiast

about 14 years ago 

As right on as the Michigan advice may be, you may as well ask Jack London where to go camping if you're choosing to advise VIA "Blazer."  Get to the sandspit on cat and/or outer islands if you truly want a slice of nice, and good luck.

rediguana

about 14 years ago 

There are several very nice national forest campgrounds in the Chequamegon National Forest, both on the Bayfield Peninsula and in the Great Divide Ranger District. My favorite on the Peninsula is Birch Grove, a very peaceful little spot close to the Long Lake picnic area and Mount Valhalla Recreation Area (lots of good hiking on dry XC ski trails). In the Great Divide district, Mineral Lake and East Twin Lake are very nice small campgrounds; if you're looking for something a little more developed, try Lake Owen, Namekagon or Day Lake. The full campground list is here.

Also, the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe operates a little-known rustic campground at Point Detour, the northernmost tip of the Bayfield Peninsula. It is very, very beautiful, right on the Big Lake with access to a rocky but swimmable shoreline. It's out of the way but worth checking out - take Highway 13 to Old County K, a left on Little Sand Bay Rd, right on Ridge Rd and left on Eagle Bay Rd.

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