It’s time for an extraordinary camping experience at Harrington Beach State Park! You’re looking to plan an unforgettable trip, and we’re here to help with the Harrington Beach State Park camping guide. Let’s dive in and look at the campsites, recreation, and other experiences that await you!
What to Expect At Harrington Beach State Park
Harrington Beach State Park rests on a sprawling 715 acres, with more than a mile of beach running along the Lake Michigan coast. In this park you’ll encounter plenty of natural, scenic beauty, including a white cedar and hardwood swamp and a breathtaking limestone quarry lake; there’s also plenty of opportunity for picnics, sunbathing, hiking, fishing, and even indulging in astronomy at one of the monthly public viewings at the on-site observatory!
The Complete Guide to Harrington Beach State Park Camping
This state park offers great camping options including a standard campground, five walk-in sites, a group campsite, a kayak site, and an accessible cabin for people with disabilities. No matter what your camping needs, Harrington Beach State Park is here to meet them!
Best Camping Spots
Harrington Beach State Park’s campground is just off the Park Main Road, on the way toward Lake Michigan. The park is open from the first Wednesday in May to the last weekend in October, with the primary family campground sporting 69 units including 31 with electrical hookups. Each campsite has a campfire ring and a picnic table; campsites #107-115 have the closest entry to Puckett’s Pond, accessible by a trail between sites 108 and 110. During warm weather, showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities are available in the family campground. Also available are a trailer dump station and a freshwater fill-up station.
The group campsite is reservable with two campfire rings and five picnic benches; it is pet-friendly, tent-only, non-electric, and can house up to 30 visitors, with space for 14 vehicles and 1 wheeled camping unit in the parking lot.
The accessible cabin is designed for comfort and is designed for easy wheelchair accessibility. The cabin also provides hospital-style beds with Hoyer lifts nearby. For family members, there are additional sleeping accommodations on a pull-out bed in the living room as well as on cots in the cabin’s screened-in porch.
The kayak site is a non-electric, tent-only site with a campfire ring and picnic table and is suitable for up to 6 visitors. Please note this site is intended for kayakers traveling along Lake Michigan and is not meant for powerboats. Parking for kayakers is available at Kohler-Andrae State Park to the north or Port Washington’s marina to the south (the marina charges a daily fee of $2.50). A park admission sticker is required. If you’re planning to stop by the kayak site on your kayaking adventure, please use geographic coordinates 43° 29′ 24.815″ N, 87° 47′ 34.74″ W.
Booking
You can book your campsite for your Harrington Beach State Park camping adventure at any time for the open season of May-October. Visit here to book your camping spot.
Things To Do At The Park
When camping at Harrington Beach State Park, you can hike one of the seven miles of hiking trails or the one-mile coastline; visit the 26-acre quarry lake via the stunning Quarry Lake trail, which is wheelchair accessible and welcome to leashed pets. There are also plenty of fishing opportunities at Harrington Beach and Lake Michigan; you can indulge in some equestrian fun on the 1-mile bridle trail, go hunting in season, take a swim in Lake Michigan, and so much more!
(NOTE: Swimming is not permitted in Quarry Lake or Puckett’s Pond. There is also no boat launch on site.)
Looking for activities outside the park? Hop over to Ozaukee County, where you can go shopping at the many antiques stores, biking and walking on the interurban trails, or indulge at one of the many delectable restaurants, convenient food trucks, and coffee shops in this bustling lakeside locale!
Wildlife
Harrington Beach State Park is known for its plethora of whitetail deer, which can best be spotted in the early mornings and evenings as the cross the park’s open fields. In addition, you will encounter many birds at the park, particularly during the spring and fall migrations, as well as during the annual hawk migration. Quarry Lake and Puckett’s Pond in particular are popular resting and feeding spots for many species of ducks, most notably the majestic wood duck.
Vegetation / Geography
The scenic Harrington Beach State Park boasts so much natural beauty, including fields of Queen Anne’s lace, asters, and goldenrod blooming in the summer; wildflowers, white cedar swamps, and ferns galore; the famous Quarry Lake with its soaring limestone cliffs and serene 26-acre spread; and the late-August monarch butterfly migration! There is never any lack of lovely sights to see along the hiking trails and through the forests in this breathtaking park.
Make Sure To Bring
Before you kick off your Harrington Beach State Park camping adventure, make sure you have everything you need for a fun and memorable experience!
You’ll want to come equipped with proper hiking footwear if you plan to traverse the many miles of trails Harrington Beach has to offer, and bring a bathing suit for a dip in Lake Michigan and fishing gear for visits to the lakes. You may also want to bring along a quality camera (or make sure your phone’s software is up to date) if you plan to photograph the monarchs, hawks, or other wildlife.
Park Fees
When planning your Harrington Beach State Park Camping visit, here are a few costs you’ll want to consider:
· A vehicle admission sticker is required.
· Camping rates vary and are based on residency, campsite type, and season.
· Hunting and fishing licenses apply.
Reviews
This park holds an average 4.5 rating and is noted for being a quiet, low-trafficked camping spot. It’s particularly popular among families with dogs and those who love both camping and beachgoing. Some reviewers caution to secure belongings as there have been rare instances of gas being taken from fuel tanks; however, these isolated incidents have not been a deterrent even to those reviewers, who have plenty to say about this park’s quiet, scenic beauty and their plans to return.
Wrapping Up Your Harrington Beach State Park Camping Guide
We hope you’re feeling prepared for your next camping adventure with the help of this Harrington Beach State Park camping guide! Let us know what you’re most looking forward to seeing at this gorgeous state park!
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