It’s that time of year – the temperatures are getting warmer, the sun seems to shine brighter, and the last day of school is inching closer. Summer is just around the corner! And with summer, comes vacation.

Perhaps this year, a trip to Disney World is out of the question. Perhaps the idea of spending a couple hundred bucks for a night or two at a hotel is a tad too much. Perhaps you’re struggling to put together a plan for your family this summer. Perhaps you want a romantic getaway with your sweetie.

Why not go camping?

Camping is one of the most inexpensive ways to get away from it all – away from the hustle and bustle of the city, away from the pile of papers in your inbox, away from the constant “you’ve got mail” chirping at you from your computer. There is no better way to tucker out the kids than a day spent in fresh air. And what is more romantic than the crackle of a campfire? Take some time to teach your kids the art of making the perfect s’more. Impress your sweetie with your campfire culinary expertise.

So now you’re excited about going camping this summer – but where to go? Did you know that Door County has ten different private campgrounds?

Aqualand Camp Resort

Highway 57 & County Q

Box 538

Sister Bay, WI 54234

(920) 854-4573

Located two miles south of Sister Bay on Highway 57 and Highway Q. Some of their amenities include a heated swimming pool, trout fishing, paddle boats, picnic tables, fire rings, modern restrooms. They have wooded sites and seasonal sites available.

Beantown Campground

8400 County Highway F

Baileys Harbor, WI 54202

(920) 839-1439

info@beantowncampground.com

www.beantowncampground.com

Located a mile from downtown Baileys Harbor. Amenities include swimming pool, laundry, camp store, recreation room, indoor heated bathrooms, playground. They have level, grassy sites with 20, 30 or 50 amp.

Door County Camping Retreat

4906 Court Road

Egg Harbor, WI 54209

(920) 868-3151

office@doorcountycamp.com

www.doorcountycamp.com

Located west of Egg Harbor, Door County Camping Retreat is centrally located. Amenities include heated swimming pool, playground, game room, camp store, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes and hiking trails. Sites have 30 or 50 amp.

Egg Harbor Campground and RV Resort

8164 Highway 42

Egg Harbor, WI 54209

(920) 868-3278

eggharborcg@aol.com

www.eggharborcampground.com

Located one mile north of Egg Harbor. Amenities include heated swimming pool, arcade, TV room, laundry, two playgrounds, volleyball net, and camp store. Sites have 30 or 50 amp. Also available for rent are A-Frame shelters and log cabins.

Frontier Wilderness Campground

4375 Hillside Road

Egg Harbor, WI 54209

(920) 868-3349

www.frontierwildernesscampground.com

Located just minutes from Egg Harbor. Amenities include heated indoor pool, sauna/exercise domes, adult center, game room, mini-golf, activity center, three playgrounds, laundry, camp store and a fish pond.

Path of Pines

3709 Highway F

Fish Creek, WI 54212

(920) 868-3332

crimp@dcwis.com

www.pathofpines.com

Located near downtown Fish Creek. Amenities include camp store, tv lounge, recreation room, laundry and 10” telescope to use on clear nights.

Tranquil Timbers Camping Resort

3668 Grondin Road

Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

1-800-743-7115

tranquiltimbers@mhchomes.com

www.tranquiltimbers.com

Located south of the bridge. Amenities include heated swimming pool, heated wading pool, game room, snack bar, mini-golf, horseshoe pits, volleyball court, large plauground, theme weekends and planned activities, hiking and biking trails. Sites are 20, 30, or 50 amp.

Washington Island Camping Retreat

Eastside Road

Washington Island, WI 54246

(920) 847-2622

jcbythelake@yahoo.com

Located on Washington Island. Amenities include mini-golf, tennis court, playground, laundry and game room.

Wagon Trail

1190 Highway ZZ

Ellison Bay, WI 54210

(920) 854-4818

Located near Ellison Bay. Amenities include free wifi, camp store, laundry, game room, playground, log and chink adult sitting room, walking trails, fish cleaning table and limited freezer space for your catch.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Retreat

3677 May Road

Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235

(920) 743-9001

www.campdoorcounty.com

Located south of the bridge. Amenities include three heated pools, game room, recreation equipment, playground, mini-golf and goodie shop.

~If you don’t have a tent, ask around – a friend may have one that you can borrow.

~Check your list twice when packing – it can be expensive to replace forgotten items.

~Bring food from home. If you want to eat out, set a limit ahead of time for what you want to spend.

~Check over your car before you leave – a flat tire is no way to start a trip, and can easily double what you had been planning to spend.

~Pay attention to your surroundings – why buy a marshmallow fork when there are sticks all around you?

~Spend some time researching the area – make plans before you leave of what you want to do so you can better plan a budget. Also take some time to find coupons online, or research to see if certain events offer discounts at certain hours – such as how movie theatres offer discounted matinee prices.