- Pine Cliff Resort
- Campgrounds & RV Parks
- Wisconsin
- Sawyer County
- Hayward
- Campgrounds & RV Parks in West Jolly Fisherman Road
- Sunrise Bay Campground
Sunrise Bay Campground Introduce
Are you a Wisconsin resident looking for your next outdoor adventure? 🏕️ Look no further than Sunrise Bay Campground, nestled in the scenic beauty of Hayward, Wisconsin. This charming campground offers a quintessential Northwoods experience, perfect for families, friends, and solo travelers seeking a peaceful escape into nature. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just starting, Sunrise Bay Campground provides a welcoming environment to create lasting memories amidst the stunning Wisconsin landscape.
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Sunrise Bay Campground boasts a prime location at 16269 W Jolly Fisherman Rd, Hayward, WI 54843, USA. Situated on a quiet, shallow, and somewhat weedy bay at the far end of the expansive Nelson Lake, the campground offers a unique and secluded setting. This placement provides a fantastic opportunity for wildlife viewing, with campers frequently spotting beavers, otters, turtles, ducks, mallards, eagles, and more right from their campsites. Its position on the lake makes it an ideal spot for those who enjoy tranquil waters and observing local fauna in their natural habitat.
While the campground feels wonderfully remote, it's still easily accessible, making it a convenient destination for Wisconsin locals. The drive to Hayward offers scenic views, preparing you for the serene atmosphere awaiting you at Sunrise Bay. The ease of access ensures that you can spend less time traveling and more time enjoying the great outdoors.
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Sunrise Bay Campground provides a range of services designed to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable, though it's worth noting some practical considerations:
- Campsites: The campground offers various sites suitable for both RVs and tents. While sites are generally spacious, be aware that power and water hookups might be in unconventional spots, so bringing extra-long hoses and extension cords is a good idea. Some sites may require leveling, as they aren't perfectly flat, and some lack a gravel pad. Lakeside sites can be soft, so exercise caution, especially with heavier vehicles.
- Restroom and Shower Facilities: A concrete bathroom building is available and consistently kept clean. Showers operate on a coin system, costing 25 cents for a six-minute shower.
- Campground Store: The onsite store provides essential camping items, including worms for fishing. However, please note that fishing licenses are not available for purchase at the campground.
- Recreational Equipment Rental: A paddle boat is available for free use, though its cleanliness might vary depending on the season.
- Game Room: For entertainment, the campground features a game room with various working machines, including slot-style games, a driving game, a claw machine, and a pool table. It's good to know that the owners are proactive in repairing non-functional machines.
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Despite its rustic charm, Sunrise Bay Campground offers several features that enhance the camping experience, particularly for those who appreciate natural beauty and straightforward camping:
- Wildlife Abundance: One of the standout features is the incredible amount of wildlife you're likely to encounter. The quiet bay is a haven for beavers, otters, turtles, various bird species like ducks, mallards, and majestic eagles. This makes it a fantastic spot for nature observation and photography.
- Quiet Bay Setting: The campground's location in a quiet, shallow bay ensures a peaceful environment, away from the hustle and bustle often found on busier parts of the lake. It’s perfect for those seeking tranquility.
- Spacious Campsites: Many campers appreciate the generous size of the campsites, providing ample room for your setup and personal space.
- Clean Facilities: The commitment to keeping the bathroom and shower facilities clean is a consistent positive point highlighted by visitors.
- Access to Nelson Lake: While the swimming area isn't a traditional sandy beach (it has a rocky, muddy, weedy bottom with a swim mat off the dock), the lake itself is a valuable resource for fishing and boating. Nelson Lake is known for its diverse fish population.
- Relaxed Atmosphere: Compared to some other campgrounds in the area, Sunrise Bay Campground is often noted for having fewer restrictive rules, contributing to a more relaxed and easygoing camping experience.
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To plan your next Wisconsin camping adventure at Sunrise Bay Campground, you can reach them using the following contact details:
Address: 16269 W Jolly Fisherman Rd, Hayward, WI 54843, USA
Phone: (715) 634-2213
Mobile Phone: +1 715-634-2213
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For Wisconsin locals, Sunrise Bay Campground offers a genuine and accessible camping experience that truly embodies the spirit of the state’s outdoor offerings. Its proximity to Hayward makes it an ideal weekend getaway or a longer vacation destination without the need for extensive travel. The campground's setting on Nelson Lake, particularly its quiet bay, provides a unique opportunity to connect with nature and observe abundant wildlife. This makes it an excellent choice for families hoping to introduce their children to the wonders of the outdoors, nature enthusiasts, or anyone simply looking to unwind in a peaceful environment. While it might not be the most luxurious option, its functionality, cleanliness of key facilities like the bathrooms, and the overall relaxed atmosphere appeal to those who prioritize authentic camping over resort-style amenities.
The spacious sites allow for comfortable setups, and the availability of amenities like the game room adds a touch of fun, especially on rainy days. Despite some minor inconveniences like potentially oddly placed hookups or a non-traditional swimming area, the overwhelming sense of peace, the rich wildlife, and the opportunity to experience the beautiful Nelson Lake make Sunrise Bay Campground a truly suitable and rewarding destination for Wisconsin residents seeking an authentic Northwoods camping adventure. It's a place where you can disconnect from daily stresses and reconnect with nature, creating cherished memories right in your home state.
Location
WisconsinSawyer CountyHaywardWest Jolly Fisherman Road
Customer Reviews
Had a 4-night stay with extended family across three campsites. The lake itself is nice, and the campground is decent — nothing fancy, but functional. Our water spigot was nearly 40 feet away and down a hill. Sites aren't truly level — more like “mostly level if you park right.” Some have no gravel pad. Lakeside sites were soggy; I saw one camper need a skid steer and rope to get pulled out. The swimming area isn’t a beach (see picture with the swim mat off the dock)— it has a rocky, muddy, weedy bottom. Some docks could use structural improvement. Bathroom building was concrete and clean. 25 cents for a 6 minute shower. Worms available in the store, but no licenses available onsite. The campground sits in a quiet, shallow, weedy bay at the far end of the lake. On the plus side, we saw a lot of wildlife — beavers, otters, turtles, ducks, mallards, eagles, and more. The paddle boat was free to use but hadn’t been cleaned yet as of June 17. The game room had a few working machines (slot-style games, a driving game, claw machine, pool table). A few others were not functional at the start of our stay, but they were picked up, repaired, and returned on our departure date. The real issue was the owner’s behavior. A relative who coordinated the trip also rented the pontoon, as he has done for yearly trips at other places. He’s historically rented for the duration of the stay. The only email I personally saw said: "Currently sites available are 28, 29, and 30. The 22' or tent would go in 28 — can be decided when everyone gets here. Pontoon is on a dock by 29.". After a 7 a.m. ride, the owner came to the dock angry, saying, “You stole my boat. I almost called the sheriff on you.” We were confused, apologized immediately, and said we’d pay if we hadn’t already. Rather than de-escalate, he replied, “Don’t play dumb. You know you didn’t have this rented.” With three occupied sites, we clearly had no intent to steal his boat. After giving it time, I approached him to clear the air, but he doubled down, saying, “So you stole my boat and now you’re chastising me?” — with no willingness to resolve the misunderstanding. It was an unfortunate and needlessly hostile way to end an otherwise peaceful trip. One star for the husband owner, three to four stars for the lake and campground itself.
Just got back from a great weekend staying here. We camped two nights. Sites are big. Power and water hookups are kind of in a funny spot so make sure you have plenty of hose and extension cords. Shower/ bath house was very clean! We have stayed at Nelson lake as well. And this place was just easier and didn't have any funny rules. We will be back for sure!
We enjoyed our stay, did some kayaking!. Plenty of things for the kids, swimming beach with water toys, dock for your boat and fishing. Owner where very accommodating, gave us better sites once we arrived to better fit our needs. Will visit again!
Our family really enjoyed our time at Sunrise Bay Campground. The owners were very friendly and helpful. There is a little shop in the office. One of the owners makes most of the shirts/sweatshirts. There was a design my husband wanted but they didn't have his size or the color he wanted. She took the order, made the shirt and brought it by our campsite a couple hours later. The restrooms and fish house were kept clean. We will definitely stay here again the next time we camp in the area!!
We heard about this place from friends and also heard it was under new ownership. Owners were very friendly and were working hard on updates of the campground. They had just finished the bathrooms which were very clean, freshly painted and they just finished tiling the showers while we were there. They have a nice game room and swings for the kids and the owners said they had more playground equipment coming. Our site was down by the water with a gorgeous view. They were also working on updating the electrical while we were there which is nice.
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