The anticipation is building, and we are thrilled to announce significant enhancements to the CAMP Door County experience just in time for the upcoming season! We’ve listened to your feedback and we continue to invest in transforming our grounds to offer a truly unparalleled Door County adventure. Get ready to explore, connect, and relax like never before with these fantastic new amenities and events
New Identity, Same Heart: Unveiling Our Branding
We are excited to introduce a refreshed brand identity that perfectly encapsulates the spirit and mission of CAMP Door County. Our new branding is designed to reflect our commitment to connecting people with the natural beauty of Door County through experiences that are both adventurous and comfortable. This includes two distinct but complementary logos, each representing a core value of the CAMP experience:
The Pine Logo: This symbol represents the rustic, natural immersion that is at the heart of camping. The pine tree signifies growth, resilience, and the quiet, wooded environment of our grounds, emphasizing our commitment to preserving the natural landscape and offering a genuine escape.
The Badge Logo: This logo embodies the spirit of park and campground signage that signifies adventure, exploration, and community. It signifies that CAMP Door County is a “basecamp” for your Door County adventure, guiding you to new discoveries and shared memories.
Together, these logos represent our mission: to provide an elevated, modern camping experience that honors the timeless tradition of enjoying the great outdoors. You will see our new identity rolling out across our website, signage, and merchandise in the coming weeks!
NEW AMENITIES
🏠 Lake Michigan Cottages: Phase I
We are thrilled to unveil the first 4 units of our new line of Lake Michigan Cottages! These modern and cozy, 400 square-foot havens are designed for year-round comfort and luxury. Each cottage features a plush queen-size bed, a fully equipped kitchenette, a modern shower bath, and a private deck perfect for enjoying the views. Outside, you’ll find a dedicated firepit for evening relaxation. For the ultimate hassle-free getaway, daily housekeeping is included with every stay. These cottages are available for booking all four seasons, offering a perfect escape no matter the time of year!
🏕️ Primitive Camp Sites
We’re significantly expanding our offering for the true nature enthusiast! We are adding 25 new Primitive “Walk-In” Campsites tucked away in a secluded, scenic area of the woods. Each site includes a dedicated fire pit and offers a genuine off-grid experience. Despite the feeling of total seclusion, they are conveniently located just a short 5-10 minute walk from the Pine Lodge, providing easy access to showers, restrooms,The Pine Bar and the retail and grocery stores when you need them.
🚵 Mountain Bike Trail System: Phase I
For our mountain bike adventure seekers, we’ve hired the services of B.O.O. Trails to design and develop Phase I of our Mountain Bike Trail System. The Quarry Loop is a new half-mile path designed for all MTG skill levels. The loop will feature berms, gap jumps, rock gardens and options to by-pass any challenging feature. We are on track to have the loop open by May 15th.
🐶 Pawsome New Addition: The CAMP Door County Dog Park
We know your furry friends are family, and we’re excited to announce the creation of our brand-new, dedicated dog park! Nestled within a secluded, wooded area, this space is designed for safe and engaging off-leash play.
It’s the perfect spot to let your dog stretch their legs and socialize after a long day of adventure!
🌲 Rustic Retreat: The Woodland Sauna
For the ultimate relaxation experience, we are introducing a new six-person, traditional Swedish sauna. Tucked away in a private, wooded area of the property, this serene spot offers a tranquil escape. It’s the perfect place to detox, soothe sore muscles after a day of hiking or biking, and enjoy the quiet sounds of nature in absolute privacy.
📶 Convenience at Your Fingertips: Tech Upgrades
We understand the need to stay connected (when you want to!). Across the main areas of the camp, we have installed high-speed, reliable Wi-Fi boosters onto every other post.. Whether you’re streaming a movie in your RV or uploading photos of your stunning hike, our network upgrades ensure seamless connectivity.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to CAMP Door County to experience these exciting upgrades firsthand. Your perfect Door County escape just got even better! Book your stay now and get ready for a season of unforgettable memories.
Get ready to hit the trails! Join us for our inaugural CAMPBike Weekend from Friday, June 26th to Sunday, June 28th. This is the ultimate weekend getaway for the cycling enthusiast who loves a true camping experience.
What’s Included:
Group Rides: Explore the best of Door County’s cycling routes with guided group rides each day.
Trailside Lunch Delivery: On Saturday, enjoy a delicious lunch delivered directly to you on the trail! Choose from two popular local trail systems for your adventure.
Live Music: Dance the night away on Saturday, June 27th, featuring the high-energy sounds of Brass Differential!
Morning Yoga: Ease those cycling muscles with a restorative Yoga session on Sunday morning.
Full Amenity Access: Enjoy access to all CAMP Door County amenities, including the new Woodland Sauna, The Pine Bar, and high-speed Wi-Fi in the main areas.
The Experience:
This is an intentionally primitive experience! To participate, you must ride your bike into the campground and stay in one of our 27 dedicated Primitive Walk-In Campsites. This means no car access to your site—just you, your gear, and your bike in the woods! Spaces are extremely limited, so book early to secure your spot for this unique cycling celebration.
Join us for our first annual Fungus Fest from Friday, September 3rd to Sunday, September 5th, a full weekend dedicated to the fascinating world of fungi! Whether you’re a seasoned mycologist or simply curious, this immersive experience is designed to introduce you to the joys of foraging, identification, and cooking with wild mushrooms, hosted by Melissa Ketelsen.
The Experience:
This is a two-night minimum stay package that includes all presentations, guided forays, workshops, and meals listed below. Participants will receive a special welcome kit, including a foraging basket and identification guide. Due to the hands-on nature of the event, spaces are limited to 24 participants to ensure a personalized experience.
Itinerary:
Friday, September 3rd:
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Check-in and Welcome Reception at The Pine Bar. Mingle with fellow attendees and meet your foraging guides over light snacks and drinks.
6:30 PM: Opening Dinner featuring a gourmet, three-course meal (non-foraged ingredients) and an introductory talk on the weekend’s goals.
Saturday, September 4th:
8:00 AM: Breakfast in The Pine Lodge (pastries, granola, coffee, tea, fruit)
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM: Presentation on foraging basics and identification, outlining the day, handing out pamphlets of mushrooms that are safe to forage, foraging mannerisms, and discussing shuttles
9:45 AM: Board shuttles to foraging trails for first foray
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Lunch and setting up an identification table where we will discuss iNaturalist and a book table so we can all learn how to set up a table and properly identify mushrooms
Short break for everyone to get ready for another foray before dinner
3:30 PM: Load the next shuttle for another area for foraging
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Dinner and cooking demonstration using mushrooms for desserts to savory sauces
Sunday, September 5th:
8:00 AM: Breakfast
8:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Final workshop/presentation on growing your own mushrooms and how the mushrooms we looked at all weekend operate in the environment around them. This includes your own take home cup that will grow your own oyster mushrooms
Mark your calendars for the return of the CAMPGrass Music Festival from Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th! Join us for a weekend celebrating the best in Bluegrass and Americana music, set against the backdrop of Door County’s stunning fall colors.
The music kicks off Friday night featuring the adventurous side of bluegrass, weaving in influences from grunge, R&B, ragtime and latin music sounds of the Gentlemen Grifters.
Saturday’s lineup is packed with talent, including:
Swamp Jesus
Rodeo Borealis
The High 48’s
Armchair Boogie
Headlining the evening, the beloved Wisconsin favorites, Them Coulee Boys!
Ticket admission is included with all camping and lodging bookings for the weekend. If you are not staying on-site, single-day and weekend passes can be purchased via our website through Eventbrite. Come for the music, stay for the campfires, and experience a perfect autumn weekend!
In addition to the incredible music lineup, the CAMPGrass Music Festival offers a range of family-friendly activities and local flavor to enhance your weekend experience:
Tie-Dye Booth: Unleash your creativity and make your own festival souvenir!
Pumpkin Carving Booth: Get into the autumn spirit by designing your own masterpiece.
Face Paint Booth: Fun designs for all ages.
Caramel Apples: Indulge in this classic fall treat.
Local Makers Market: Browse and shop unique goods from talented local artisans.
Sergio’s Food Truck: Grab delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine from our friends at Sergio’s Food Truck, available all day Saturday.
General admission tickets are on sale now. 2 tickets are included with with every campsite reservation.
We’re excited to introduce a rotating schedule of weekly events designed to add extra fun and community to your stay, no matter when you visit! Check the Pine Lodge schedule board upon arrival for times and specific themes each week.
https://camp-door.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/camp-door-county-logo-reverse.png00ewqeqhttps://camp-door.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/camp-door-county-logo-reverse.pngewqeq2026-04-01 21:55:402026-04-01 21:55:40Elevating Your Stay: Discover CAMP Door County’s Brand-New Branding, Amenities and Events!
The Sister Bay Fall Festival, often affectionately called the “Grandaddy” of all Door County festivals, is much more than a modern street party. It’s a vibrant, decades-long tradition with deep roots in the community, initially starting as a simple local gathering to mark the end of the busy summer season.
The Humble Beginnings: Post-War Promotion
The festival’s origins trace back to the mid-1940s, specifically around 1945. Unlike today’s massive tourist draw, the initial celebrations weren’t focused on attracting huge crowds. Instead, they were started by a group of active local businessmen, including Lester Berns (who is credited with coining the term “Fall Festival”), his brother Robert, and others who owned local establishments like lumberyards, restaurants, and hotels.
The original intent was pragmatic:
A Business Promotion: The first festivals were essentially “little, local shopping events” designed to bring the community together and encourage people to come to town for special sales in all the stores.
A “Thank You” for the Season: It also served as an appreciation and a reward for the local tourist workers who had just completed the intense summer season.
The Early Years: Community and Quirky Traditions
In the early days, the event was a true community effort. Long-time residents recall:
Simple Decorations: Business owners like Bill Bastian would take a truck from the lumberyard, gather corn stalks from a farmer, and recruit local kids to help tie them to telephone poles all over town.
Local Focus: Early activities included music, parades, and sidewalk auctions, often with prominent local figures serving as auctioneers.
Theatrical Entertainment: A major highlight was the popular plays put on by the Lions Club in the village hall. These shows, often featuring local men in comical women’s roles, were so well-attended that busloads of people came from as far as Milwaukee and Chicago to see them.
Non-profit organizations, then as now, were the backbone of the festival, organizing activities like the ever-popular cake walks, a tradition that continues today.
Evolution into an Extravaganza
Over the decades, the Fall Festival began to grow, evolving from a local shopping day into the massive weekend-long event it is today, drawing tens of thousands of visitors. Key changes and enduring traditions that define the modern Fall Fest include:
Highway Closure: The street scene eventually became so busy that the main artery, Highway 42, is now famously closed down to traffic, making way for the sprawling crowds, vendors, and festivities.
The Parade: The Saturday morning Fall Fest Parade remains a spectacular highlight, featuring local businesses, organizations, and marching bands, all winding through the village.
The Derby Race: This Sunday morning event is the highlight of Sunday’s activities when young people race side-by-side down Highway 42 in their custom made derby cars.
The Ping-Pong Ball Drop: A unique and thrilling tradition, thousands of numbered ping-pong balls are dropped from above, with prizes corresponding to the numbers inside.
Fundraising Power: The festival is a massive moneymaker for local non-profits and a crucial economic boost for local businesses, many of whom rely on the weekend to help carry them through the slower winter months.
Today, the Sister Bay Fall Festival—celebrating over 75 years of tradition—is a beloved Door County homecoming. It’s a celebration of autumn, community spirit, and a loud, festive farewell to the busy season, staying true to its original spirit of bringing people together.
https://camp-door.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/camp-door-county-logo-reverse.png00Johnhttps://camp-door.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/camp-door-county-logo-reverse.pngJohn2025-10-17 11:56:452025-10-17 11:56:45From Local Celebration to “Grandaddy”: The Enduring History of Sister Bay’s Fall Fest
The summer sun is beginning to wane, and a magical transformation sweeps across Door County. With the cooler air comes the vibrant greens of lush forests give way to a breathtaking panorama of fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and golden yellows. Fall in Door County is more than just a season; it’s an experience, a symphony of colors and charm that captivates the hearts of all who live or visit here.
A Painter’s Palette Comes Alive
As we drive along winding roads, each turn revealing a more stunning vista than the last. Towering maples, oaks, and birch trees ignite the landscape with an unparalleled intensity. The air is crisp and invigorating, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and the promise of cozy evenings. It’s the beginning of the soup and candle season. Whether we’re hiking through a state park, cycling along a scenic trail, or simply enjoying a leisurely drive, the vibrant foliage creates a backdrop that feels straight out of a painting I remember as a kid growing up in West Texas.
A Contrasting Life
While I lived the first half of my life in Texas and the second half in Wisconsin, I have fully experienced fall in stark contrast. While Door County explodes with color, West Texas offers its own unique, albeit less traditionally “autumnal,” charm. I didn’t recognize the charm until years later after I moved to Door County. There, the fall wind often whips up swirling dust devils, turning the sky a hazy ochre. The relentless sun, even in September and October, keeps the ground warm enough for rattlesnakes to still be on the move, making every step off-road a calculated risk. And those iconic tumbleweeds, dried by the summer heat, bounce across fields and roads, sometimes piling up against fences like ghostly hay bales, becoming a strange kind of seasonal decoration. It’s a fall defined by wide open spaces, dry air, and a persistent, wild beauty all its own.
A Contrasting Life is a Beautiful Life
Fall is beautiful no matter where you are, but the experience truly shifts with the landscape. From the fiery maples of Wisconsin to the dusty expanse of West Texas, each region paints its own unique autumnal portrait, inviting us to appreciate the season’s diverse beauty. The stark differences, like those between the vibrant fall of Door County and the subtle, arid beauty of West Texas, highlight the unique charm of each. By traveling to different places, it’s in these contrasts that we find a deeper appreciation for the diverse forms beauty can take. Beauty is everywhere. Go everywhere.
00Johnhttps://camp-door.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/camp-door-county-logo-reverse.pngJohn2025-09-18 14:10:482025-09-18 14:10:48Fall Here and There: A Symphony of Color and Charm
Elevating Your Stay: Discover CAMP Door County’s Brand-New Branding, Amenities and Events!
The anticipation is building, and we are thrilled to announce significant enhancements to the CAMP Door County experience just in time for the upcoming season! We’ve listened to your feedback and we continue to invest in transforming our grounds to offer a truly unparalleled Door County adventure. Get ready to explore, connect, and relax like never before with these fantastic new amenities and events
New Identity, Same Heart: Unveiling Our Branding
We are excited to introduce a refreshed brand identity that perfectly encapsulates the spirit and mission of CAMP Door County. Our new branding is designed to reflect our commitment to connecting people with the natural beauty of Door County through experiences that are both adventurous and comfortable. This includes two distinct but complementary logos, each representing a core value of the CAMP experience:
The Pine Logo: This symbol represents the rustic, natural immersion that is at the heart of camping. The pine tree signifies growth, resilience, and the quiet, wooded environment of our grounds, emphasizing our commitment to preserving the natural landscape and offering a genuine escape.
The Badge Logo: This logo embodies the spirit of park and campground signage that signifies adventure, exploration, and community. It signifies that CAMP Door County is a “basecamp” for your Door County adventure, guiding you to new discoveries and shared memories.
Together, these logos represent our mission: to provide an elevated, modern camping experience that honors the timeless tradition of enjoying the great outdoors. You will see our new identity rolling out across our website, signage, and merchandise in the coming weeks!
NEW AMENITIES
🏠 Lake Michigan Cottages: Phase I
We are thrilled to unveil the first 4 units of our new line of Lake Michigan Cottages! These modern and cozy, 400 square-foot havens are designed for year-round comfort and luxury. Each cottage features a plush queen-size bed, a fully equipped kitchenette, a modern shower bath, and a private deck perfect for enjoying the views. Outside, you’ll find a dedicated firepit for evening relaxation. For the ultimate hassle-free getaway, daily housekeeping is included with every stay. These cottages are available for booking all four seasons, offering a perfect escape no matter the time of year!
🏕️ Primitive Camp Sites
We’re significantly expanding our offering for the true nature enthusiast! We are adding 25 new Primitive “Walk-In” Campsites tucked away in a secluded, scenic area of the woods. Each site includes a dedicated fire pit and offers a genuine off-grid experience. Despite the feeling of total seclusion, they are conveniently located just a short 5-10 minute walk from the Pine Lodge, providing easy access to showers, restrooms,The Pine Bar and the retail and grocery stores when you need them.
🚵 Mountain Bike Trail System: Phase I
For our mountain bike adventure seekers, we’ve hired the services of B.O.O. Trails to design and develop Phase I of our Mountain Bike Trail System. The Quarry Loop is a new half-mile path designed for all MTG skill levels. The loop will feature berms, gap jumps, rock gardens and options to by-pass any challenging feature. We are on track to have the loop open by May 15th.
🐶 Pawsome New Addition:
The CAMP Door County Dog Park
We know your furry friends are family, and we’re excited to announce the creation of our brand-new, dedicated dog park! Nestled within a secluded, wooded area, this space is designed for safe and engaging off-leash play.
It’s the perfect spot to let your dog stretch their legs and socialize after a long day of adventure!
🌲 Rustic Retreat: The Woodland Sauna
For the ultimate relaxation experience, we are introducing a new six-person, traditional Swedish sauna. Tucked away in a private, wooded area of the property, this serene spot offers a tranquil escape. It’s the perfect place to detox, soothe sore muscles after a day of hiking or biking, and enjoy the quiet sounds of nature in absolute privacy.
📶 Convenience at Your Fingertips: Tech Upgrades
We understand the need to stay connected (when you want to!). Across the main areas of the camp, we have installed high-speed, reliable Wi-Fi boosters onto every other post.. Whether you’re streaming a movie in your RV or uploading photos of your stunning hike, our network upgrades ensure seamless connectivity.
We can’t wait to welcome you back to CAMP Door County to experience these exciting upgrades firsthand. Your perfect Door County escape just got even better! Book your stay now and get ready for a season of unforgettable memories.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CAMPBike Weekend
Get ready to hit the trails! Join us for our inaugural CAMPBike Weekend from Friday, June 26th to Sunday, June 28th. This is the ultimate weekend getaway for the cycling enthusiast who loves a true camping experience.
What’s Included:
The Experience:
This is an intentionally primitive experience! To participate, you must ride your bike into the campground and stay in one of our 27 dedicated Primitive Walk-In Campsites. This means no car access to your site—just you, your gear, and your bike in the woods! Spaces are extremely limited, so book early to secure your spot for this unique cycling celebration.
Fungus Fest: A Weekend Foray
Join us for our first annual Fungus Fest from Friday, September 3rd to Sunday, September 5th, a full weekend dedicated to the fascinating world of fungi! Whether you’re a seasoned mycologist or simply curious, this immersive experience is designed to introduce you to the joys of foraging, identification, and cooking with wild mushrooms, hosted by Melissa Ketelsen.
The Experience:
This is a two-night minimum stay package that includes all presentations, guided forays, workshops, and meals listed below. Participants will receive a special welcome kit, including a foraging basket and identification guide. Due to the hands-on nature of the event, spaces are limited to 24 participants to ensure a personalized experience.
Itinerary:
Friday, September 3rd:
Saturday, September 4th:
Sunday, September 5th:
CAMPGrass Music Festival
Mark your calendars for the return of the CAMPGrass Music Festival from Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th! Join us for a weekend celebrating the best in Bluegrass and Americana music, set against the backdrop of Door County’s stunning fall colors.
The music kicks off Friday night featuring the adventurous side of bluegrass, weaving in influences from grunge, R&B, ragtime and latin music sounds of the Gentlemen Grifters.
Saturday’s lineup is packed with talent, including:
Ticket admission is included with all camping and lodging bookings for the weekend. If you are not staying on-site, single-day and weekend passes can be purchased via our website through Eventbrite. Come for the music, stay for the campfires, and experience a perfect autumn weekend!
In addition to the incredible music lineup, the CAMPGrass Music Festival offers a range of family-friendly activities and local flavor to enhance your weekend experience:
General admission tickets are on sale now. 2 tickets are included with with every campsite reservation.
📅 New Weekly Events
We’re excited to introduce a rotating schedule of weekly events designed to add extra fun and community to your stay, no matter when you visit! Check the Pine Lodge schedule board upon arrival for times and specific themes each week.
See our full event calendar here.
From Local Celebration to “Grandaddy”: The Enduring History of Sister Bay’s Fall Fest
The Sister Bay Fall Festival, often affectionately called the “Grandaddy” of all Door County festivals, is much more than a modern street party. It’s a vibrant, decades-long tradition with deep roots in the community, initially starting as a simple local gathering to mark the end of the busy summer season.
The Humble Beginnings: Post-War Promotion
The festival’s origins trace back to the mid-1940s, specifically around 1945. Unlike today’s massive tourist draw, the initial celebrations weren’t focused on attracting huge crowds. Instead, they were started by a group of active local businessmen, including Lester Berns (who is credited with coining the term “Fall Festival”), his brother Robert, and others who owned local establishments like lumberyards, restaurants, and hotels.
The original intent was pragmatic:
The Early Years: Community and Quirky Traditions
In the early days, the event was a true community effort. Long-time residents recall:
Non-profit organizations, then as now, were the backbone of the festival, organizing activities like the ever-popular cake walks, a tradition that continues today.
Evolution into an Extravaganza
Over the decades, the Fall Festival began to grow, evolving from a local shopping day into the massive weekend-long event it is today, drawing tens of thousands of visitors. Key changes and enduring traditions that define the modern Fall Fest include:
Today, the Sister Bay Fall Festival—celebrating over 75 years of tradition—is a beloved Door County homecoming. It’s a celebration of autumn, community spirit, and a loud, festive farewell to the busy season, staying true to its original spirit of bringing people together.
Fall Here and There: A Symphony of Color and Charm
A Symphony of Colors and Charm
The summer sun is beginning to wane, and a magical transformation sweeps across Door County. With the cooler air comes the vibrant greens of lush forests give way to a breathtaking panorama of fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and golden yellows. Fall in Door County is more than just a season; it’s an experience, a symphony of colors and charm that captivates the hearts of all who live or visit here.
A Painter’s Palette Comes Alive
As we drive along winding roads, each turn revealing a more stunning vista than the last. Towering maples, oaks, and birch trees ignite the landscape with an unparalleled intensity. The air is crisp and invigorating, carrying the scent of fallen leaves and the promise of cozy evenings. It’s the beginning of the soup and candle season. Whether we’re hiking through a state park, cycling along a scenic trail, or simply enjoying a leisurely drive, the vibrant foliage creates a backdrop that feels straight out of a painting I remember as a kid growing up in West Texas.
A Contrasting Life
While I lived the first half of my life in Texas and the second half in Wisconsin, I have fully experienced fall in stark contrast. While Door County explodes with color, West Texas offers its own unique, albeit less traditionally “autumnal,” charm. I didn’t recognize the charm until years later after I moved to Door County. There, the fall wind often whips up swirling dust devils, turning the sky a hazy ochre. The relentless sun, even in September and October, keeps the ground warm enough for rattlesnakes to still be on the move, making every step off-road a calculated risk. And those iconic tumbleweeds, dried by the summer heat, bounce across fields and roads, sometimes piling up against fences like ghostly hay bales, becoming a strange kind of seasonal decoration. It’s a fall defined by wide open spaces, dry air, and a persistent, wild beauty all its own.
A Contrasting Life is a Beautiful Life
Fall is beautiful no matter where you are, but the experience truly shifts with the landscape. From the fiery maples of Wisconsin to the dusty expanse of West Texas, each region paints its own unique autumnal portrait, inviting us to appreciate the season’s diverse beauty. The stark differences, like those between the vibrant fall of Door County and the subtle, arid beauty of West Texas, highlight the unique charm of each. By traveling to different places, it’s in these contrasts that we find a deeper appreciation for the diverse forms beauty can take. Beauty is everywhere. Go everywhere.