Point Detour Campground

🏕️ Introduction / Overview: Point Detour Campground – True Seclusion on Lake Superior

For experienced Wisconsin campers who prize seclusion, quiet, and a genuine primitive camping experience, Point Detour Campground near Bayfield offers a unique getaway right on the shores of Lake Superior. This campground is an exceptional find for local users looking to escape the crowded parks and enjoy the vast, beautiful wilderness of Northern Wisconsin. Even in mid-July, the park is noted for its low occupancy, offering a truly peaceful atmosphere.

Point Detour is not a standard full-service RV park; it’s a rustic, first-come, first-serve destination geared towards tent camping or smaller recreational vehicles (Class B RVs or small campers). It is situated directly adjacent to the greatest of the Great Lakes, with many campsites located very close to the shoreline, separated only by a scattering of trees and brush. This provides direct access to the lake and incredible views, making it a favorite for those seeking a tranquil and scenic stay, especially those completing long journeys like the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail.

However, prospective visitors should be aware of its rustic nature: access involves navigating rural gravel roads, and site maintenance is managed differently than state or national parks. This camp is best suited for the self-sufficient camper who is ready to embrace both the profound beauty and the occasional rough edges of a remote location.

📍 Location and Accessibility near Bayfield, WI

Point Detour Campground is strategically located at 95995 Point Detour Rd, Bayfield, WI 54814, USA. This address places it on the northern tip of the Bayfield Peninsula, an area renowned as the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

While the location is spectacular, accessibility requires a slightly unusual procedure and navigation:

• Registration Requirement: Campers must first pay the registration fee (currently noted as $25) at the Casino Hotel before proceeding to the campground itself.
• Access Road: The final approach involves driving up "several rural gravel roads". Drivers should be prepared for varying road conditions, especially after heavy rain.
• Proximity to the Lake: The sites are situated very close to the Lake Superior shoreline, offering easy access via multiple steep paths. A welcomed safety feature is the presence of a rope on one of these paths to assist with the downhill climb to the water's edge.
• Connectivity: True to its remote nature, cell service is minimal, with reviews noting only "1 bar of cell service with both AT&T and Verizon." This makes it ideal for users intentionally seeking a digital detox.

Its proximity to Bayfield means that basic supplies, ferry services, and dining options are available nearby, creating a convenient balance between wilderness and civilization.

🛠️ Services Offered

Point Detour Campground offers a highly primitive set of services, emphasizing basic necessities for fire, shelter, and sanitation, rather than comfort amenities.

• Campsite Availability: The sites operate on a "First come, first serve" basis.
• Site Furnishings: Fire pits and grills are provided at most sites for cooking and warmth.
• Sanitation: A pit outhouse (vault toilet) is available, noted to include a light. Note: Customer reviews warn that basic supplies like toilet paper may be missing, emphasizing the need for campers to be fully self-prepared.
• Registration System: Payment and registration are handled off-site at the Casino Hotel.
• Water: There is no mention of potable water access. Campers must pack in all drinking water or carry adequate purification equipment to treat Lake Superior water.
• Firewood (Unreliable): The map provided by the casino may indicate firewood is available, but customer reports suggest it is not reliably found at the site. Campers should bring their own, or gather legally downed wood.

✨ Features / Highlights

The most appealing features of Point Detour Campground are its natural setting, its inherent tranquility, and its suitability for specific types of camping.

• Lake Superior Seclusion: The core highlight is the feeling of being truly "secluded" on the Great Lake shore. Low occupancy, even in peak season, guarantees quiet and privacy.
• Large and Semi-Private Sites: The sites are described as "large" and "semi-private," giving campers plenty of space and a feeling of being alone in the wilderness.
• Direct Lake Access: Multiple paths lead directly to the water's edge, allowing campers to easily access the lake for cooling off, though the shoreline is rocky, not sandy beach, which discourages swimming.
• Water-Adjacent Sites: The proximity of sites to the lake (with just "a few trees and brush in between") offers exceptional views and the relaxing sounds of the water.
• Ideal for Small Setups: The campground is perfectly suited for tent camping or small campers/Class B RVs, which find it challenging to access larger, more heavily wooded sites.
• Digital Disconnect: The poor, single-bar cell service is a key feature for those intentionally seeking a complete break from digital communication.

Note: The provided phone number is a toll-free number, likely associated with the Casino Hotel/Red Cliff Tribe which manages the property.

📞 Contact Information

For up-to-date information on the registration process, current fees, and specific access details, Wisconsin users should contact the management associated with the property.

Address: 95995 Point Detour Rd, Bayfield, WI 54814, USA

Phone (Toll-Free): (800) 226-8478

Mobile Phone: +1 800-226-8478

It is recommended to use the toll-free number or contact the Casino Hotel desk directly to confirm registration procedures before making the drive to Point Detour Road.

✅ What is Worth Choosing Point Detour Campground?

For Wisconsin's self-reliant campers, choosing Point Detour Campground is choosing unrivaled quiet and secluded access to Lake Superior for a highly affordable price.

The primary reason to choose this site is the peaceful, semi-private atmosphere provided by the large sites and the low occupancy, even during the busy summer season. Getting to stay right on the shore of Lake Superior, waking up to the sound of the waves, and enjoying the magnificent views—all without the noise of neighboring RVs or the bustle of a highly managed park—is a significant draw. It’s an ideal spot for those who view camping as a way to truly disconnect (aided by the minimal cell service).

However, the deciding factor for choosing Point Detour must be a camper's willingness to tolerate its primitive conditions and maintenance issues (such as overgrown sites, lack of TP, and trash near the outhouse). This is a place for the proactive camper who packs their own supplies, doesn't mind a gravel road, and can manage without full modern amenities. The reward is a beautiful, accessible, and highly private piece of Wisconsin's Northwoods shoreline that feels miles away from the nearest town. It’s the perfect end-point or basecamp for adventurous exploration of the Bayfield Peninsula.