BLOG: Camping Door County Style
Let’s face it, when someone mentioned the word “camping” in the past, images of tents, sleeping bags and marshmallows roasting on sharpened wooden sticks over a fire popped into most people’s heads. All of the food for the excursion was jammed into coolers that slowly filled with water as the ice in them melted. Sleeping on rocky ground, getting eaten alive by bugs and not showering for several days was the way someone “experienced nature.
Wow, things have sure changed! The biggest problems people camping in Wisconsin (or anywhere) face nowadays is not getting satellite reception, a strong enough wireless signal to stream Netflix, or the favorite café latte maker breaking down. This is no longer called camping; it’s now known as camping with glamour or “glamping.” We now try to take everything in our modern lives with us on our vacations to keep us as comfortable as possible.
Rustic Cabin CampingNow, don’t get me wrong. There are many people out there, including myself, that still yearn for the rocky ground under a two-person tent, the hum of mosquitos as we crawl into our sleeping bag for the night, and stars that seem so close we could reach up and grab them from the night sky. That is, and always will be, our definition of camping. We leave the comforts of modern living at home for a weekend on the trail backpacking or paddling a northern lake in a canoe, camping along the shore, taking only pictures and leaving only tracks.
Whether you are a glamper, a wilderness tent camper, or someone somewhere in between, the reason for camping vacations and spending time away from home is usually similar for everyone. We all enjoy rest, relaxation, recreation, and spending time with our family and friends in the outdoors. From the beautiful spring to colorful fall season, there is no better place to experience all of those enjoyments than in beautiful Door County.
Whatever your style of camping is, Door County campgrounds will have it! With almost two dozen private campgrounds and state parks there is something for everyone. Most of the private campgrounds in the county have different types of sites available for campers. These sites include everything from a secluded tent site without any hook ups, to a camping cabin or a yurt with bunks. For the big rig travelers, pull through sites with 50 amp service and full hook ups can be found at almost every campground. For those that like to stay connected to the world, cable hook ups can be found at many places and WiFi is almost everywhere. As you begin to plan a camping vacation, reservations are always suggested, especially for the summer season and fall festival weekends as many of the campgrounds fill up fast.
For the hardcore, leave modern life behind kind of campers that love the challenge of packing into a wilderness site, Newport State Park and Rock Island State park are perfect destinations. Newport State Park has many wilderness campsites throughout this 2300+ acre park. It also boasts 11 miles of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline. For more of an adventure, Rock Island State Park is an island just northeast of Washington Island. It takes two ferry rides to reach it. You can also travel there with your own boat but there is an overnight docking fee and space is limited. No vehicles or bicycles are allowed on this 900+ acre island so plan for a good amount of hiking. Both of these parks have a limited number campsites available so be sure to reserve one if you are planning a trip.
Wilderness Camping
When planning your next vacation, why not try a camping excursion? It is the perfect way to experience all nature has to offer. Another bonus is the fact that most campgrounds aren’t far from the small communities and activities that make Door County so special. Because of the wide variety of campgrounds and parks the county has to offer, the biggest decisions you will have to make while planning your camping trip are whether to pack the hiking boots, tent and sleeping bags or to pack the satellite dish, iPad and espresso maker. Whichever you decide, you will certainly not be disappointed!
