Sunrise Bay Campground: Your Hayward, WI Camping Getaway

Sunrise Bay Campground Introduce

Welcome to Sunrise Bay Campground, a well-regarded destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking a tranquil escape in the heart of Wisconsin. Nestled on the serene shores of Nelson Lake in Hayward, our campground offers a genuine Wisconsin camping experience, blending natural beauty with essential amenities. Whether you're an experienced camper or looking for your next family adventure, Sunrise Bay Campground provides a welcoming environment to create lasting memories amidst the great outdoors.

Our commitment is to provide a functional and enjoyable stay for all our guests. We understand that a successful camping trip relies on a blend of comfort and connection with nature, and we strive to offer just that. From the moment you arrive, you’ll find a setting that encourages relaxation, exploration, and quality time with loved ones.

Sunrise Bay Campground is conveniently located at 16269 W Jolly Fisherman Rd, Hayward, WI 54843, USA. Our prime location on Nelson Lake ensures easy access to water activities and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Hayward, a vibrant community in northern Wisconsin, is known for its recreational opportunities and charming local attractions. Getting to Sunrise Bay Campground is straightforward, with well-maintained roads leading directly to our entrance. This accessibility makes us an ideal choice for both local Wisconsin residents and those traveling from further afield, providing a convenient escape without extensive travel hassles. Our proximity to Hayward also means that essential services and additional recreational options are just a short drive away, offering the best of both worlds – peaceful seclusion and convenient access to town amenities.

At Sunrise Bay Campground, we offer a range of services designed to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We aim to cater to the diverse needs of our campers, ensuring that whether you're seeking a rustic experience or something with more amenities, you'll find what you need.

Spacious Campsites: Our sites are generally large, providing ample space for your setup, whether you're in an RV or a tent. While some sites may require creative parking to achieve optimal leveling, the generous size allows for a comfortable camping experience.
Water and Power Hookups: Each site is equipped with water and power hookups. Please note that the placement of these hookups can vary, so it's advisable to come prepared with sufficient length of hose and extension cords to ensure easy connection.
Clean Bathhouse: We pride ourselves on maintaining a clean and functional bathhouse facility. The concrete building is regularly cleaned, providing a hygienic environment for showers and restrooms. Showers operate on a coin-based system (25 cents for 6 minutes).
Camp Store: For your convenience, our on-site store offers essential camping items, including worms for fishing. Please note that fishing licenses are not available for purchase directly at the campground.
Free Paddle Boat Use: Guests have access to a paddle boat for complimentary use, offering a pleasant way to explore the calm waters of the bay.
Game Room: Our game room provides entertainment for all ages. It features a selection of arcade games, including slot-style games, a driving game, a claw machine, and a pool table. While some machines may occasionally be out of service for maintenance, we strive to ensure a fun experience for all.

Sunrise Bay Campground offers a variety of features and highlights that contribute to a memorable camping experience. While we aim for functionality over luxury, the natural setting and available amenities create a distinct appeal.

Prime Nelson Lake Location: Situated in a quiet, shallow, and somewhat weedy bay at the far end of Nelson Lake, our campground offers a unique lakeside experience. This bay is a haven for wildlife, providing fantastic opportunities for nature observation.
Abundant Wildlife: Guests frequently report sightings of diverse wildlife, including beavers, otters, turtles, various species of ducks and mallards, and majestic eagles. This makes Sunrise Bay an excellent choice for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
Relaxing Atmosphere: The campground’s location in a quiet bay contributes to a peaceful and serene environment, ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Functional Facilities: Despite a focus on a more rustic camping feel, our facilities, such as the clean bathhouse, are well-maintained and serve their purpose effectively.
Family-Friendly Environment: Many families have enjoyed their stays here, appreciating the spacious sites and the overall relaxed atmosphere that encourages family bonding.
Direct Lake Access: With sites directly on or near the lake, guests have easy access to the water for fishing, paddling, and enjoying the lake views.

For inquiries, reservations, or any other assistance, please feel free to reach out to Sunrise Bay Campground using the contact information below:

Address: 16269 W Jolly Fisherman Rd, Hayward, WI 54843, USA

Phone: (715) 634-2213

Mobile Phone: +1 715-634-2213

Sunrise Bay Campground is an ideal choice for Wisconsin locals looking for an authentic and accessible camping experience. Its location on Nelson Lake in Hayward offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and convenience. For those living in the state, the drive to our campground is manageable, allowing for weekend getaways or longer vacations without extensive travel time. The spacious sites accommodate both RVs and tents, making it suitable for various camping preferences, whether you're a seasoned RVer or trying tent camping for the first time with your family.

The abundant wildlife and serene bay setting provide a fantastic opportunity for disconnecting from daily routines and reconnecting with nature. While the swimming area has a natural, somewhat rocky and weedy bottom, the free paddle boat and excellent fishing opportunities (worms available on-site!) offer plenty of ways to enjoy the water. The clean bathhouse and game room add practical comfort and entertainment, ensuring that basic needs are met and there are options for leisure during your stay.

While we acknowledge some feedback regarding site leveling and specific experiences, we continually work to ensure a positive environment for all our guests. The consistent feedback on clean facilities and the overall peaceful nature of the campground highlights its suitability for those seeking a straightforward, enjoyable, and genuinely Wisconsin camping adventure. Many local campers appreciate our no-fuss approach and find it a much easier and more relaxed option compared to other campgrounds in the region. We invite you to experience the tranquil charm of Sunrise Bay Campground and discover why it's a perfect local spot for your next outdoor escape.

Sunrise Bay Campground Photos

Sunrise Bay Campground Location

Sunrise Bay Campground

Wisconsin Sawyer County Hayward West Jolly Fisherman Road

16269 W Jolly Fisherman Rd, Hayward, WI 54843, USA

Sunrise Bay Campground 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.
Jun 20, 2025 · Chris S
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!
Sep 30, 2024 · Adam Newhouse
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!
Jul 09, 2024 · Cindy Naessen
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!!
Aug 08, 2022 · Kristen Palmer
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.
May 23, 2018 · S Rose