Little Sand Bay Camping Nearest To Wisconsin

Campers have many options for pitching a tent or parking a trailer or an RV in the Little Sand Bay area. Little Sand Bay is located in the center of the Town of Russell, Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Superior. Campers come to the area to take advantage of outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, swimming and exploring Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Sailing, Kayaking, Scuba Diving

Campers can set up tents on 18 of the 21 islands that are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Boaters and sailors reach the islands from numerous marinas near Little Sand Bay. Before the overnight experience, many sailors cruise up the North Channel of Lake Superior because of its warm, southerly breeze. Kayakers paddle to the sea caves of the islands, while scuba divers explore the wrecks buried in Lake Superior.

Fishing

Lake Superior fishermen reel in lake or brown trout, whitefish, steelhead and salmon. They can fish from shore, from their own boat or hop on a charter. Marinas in Washburn, Russell and Red Cliff, Wisconsin, feature marinas to serve fishermen. Many campgrounds offer places to clean fish. The fun continues in the wintertime for campers who overnight in an RV. Ice fishing is available off of Little Sand Bay.

Swimming

Campers are welcome to swim at the numerous public beaches on Lake Superior, but no overnight camping is allowed. One small beach is located in the city of Bayfield; another is along Highway 13 at Bayview Beach, which is known for its long distance of shallow water. Lifeguards are on duty during seasonal, posted hours.

Hiking

When camping on the national lakeshore islands, hikers can access more than 50 miles of maintained trails. They'll discover lighthouses, abandoned quarries, historic logging camps and scenic vistas. In addition to the trails, campers can walk the sandy beaches of Little Sand Bay and Meyers Beach on the mainland.

Campground Considerations

Numerous tent campgrounds serve the islands and lake front that are part of the national lakeshore. These campgrounds range from developed sites near docks to wilderness camping. Permits are required for all camping in the national lakeshore. In addition, there are private campgrounds in the area, including one at the Little Sand Bay Recreation Area, about 5 minutes south of the edge of Lake Superior. Campers can choose from 47 sites, including RV, trailer, tent and group sites. Some sites have full hookups, including electricity and water. The camping is on a fee-based reservation system.