Campgrounds and RV parks near Oconto Falls, WI

Water-based recreation dominates. The Peshtigo River is considered one of Wisconsin's best paddling rivers, with challenging rapids for experienced whitewater paddlers and wide, calm flowages that suit anglers and casual kayakers. Guided rafting outfitters operate on the Peshtigo and nearby Menominee River. At Governor Thompson State Park, boat launches, a swimming beach, and several fishing piers provide access to the Peshtigo River, the Caldron Falls Reservoir, and Woods Lake, and picnic shelters, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails round out the day-use options. Common catches include crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, musky, panfish, walleye, and perch, and ice fishing is popular when conditions allow. Inland, ATV and UTV trails run through Marinette County, and county parks in the Twin Bridge and Crivitz area feature waterfalls and short hiking loops. Peshtigo River Campground LLC offers tubing, canoeing, and kayaking on calmer stretches of the river, which suits families with younger children.

The main RV camping season runs from late spring through mid-fall. Many private campgrounds in the Crivitz and Peshtigo River area open around May and close by mid to late October. The family campground at Governor Thompson typically operates from late spring through fall, while the park itself remains open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for day use activities. June through August is peak season. Weekends fill early at Governor Thompson and at private parks near the flowages, and reservations several weeks out are advisable, especially around holidays. Late spring is prime for whitewater paddling on the Peshtigo, since river levels are highest after snowmelt and drop through summer. September and early October bring cooler nights, thinner crowds, and fall color across the hardwood forests. Winters are cold and snowy, with ice fishing on the Caldron Falls Flowage and cross-country skiing on state park trails when snowpack allows. Most private campgrounds are closed in winter.

Sites in this area lean wooded and rustic. Electric hookups are available at 16 sites in the family campground, while water and sewer hookups are not available at individual sites. Plan to arrive with full fresh water and to use the on-site dump station on the way out. Private campgrounds around Crivitz and along the Peshtigo River more commonly offer water and electric at the site, with some seasonal and full-hookup options. Peshtigo River Campground LLC, for example, offers a mix of seasonal, cabin, camper, and tent sites along the river. Cell coverage is spotty in the wooded areas near the flowages and state forest. Black bears are among the wildlife present in the area, so use provided food storage where available and keep food and coolers secured in the RV overnight.