Brown County-run campgrounds could run you $100 a night during the NFL draft

GREEN BAY - Brown County is looking to open its campgrounds early for the NFL draft next year and provide shuttle service, but at a premium price.

The county Education and Recreation Committee recommended in its July 3 meeting to set the nightly rate at $100 for Brown County- operated campsites during the NFL draft on April 24-26 next year. All five committee members agreed on the rate.

Currently, regular rates are between $24 and $52 a night, depending on the site at Bay Shore Park in the town of Green Bay, Brown County Fairgrounds in De Pere, and Reforestation Camp in Suamico.

The increased prices will cover staff pay for the earlier opening and administration costs for the online reservations system, according to committee minutes. Overtime pay for campsite workers will be up to $10,000.

With limited hotel space in Green Bay, compared with major metro areas that hosted previous drafts, camping could be a more affordable option. Temperatures and precipitation at the end of April are always a wild card, though. This year, the highs on April 24, 25 and 26 were 49, 59 and 60, respectively, and the lows were 29, 29, and 34, and it rained on April 26.

For those who try camping, there will be a shuttle service to take people from the campgrounds to the draft area. Official draft events will be at Lambeau Field, Titletown, and the Resch Complex. Draft organizers are expecting to get a $20 million economic impact in the county.

More information and fees for the campgrounds are at browncountywi.gov/community/parks-department/general-information/camping/ .

Brown County campsites

• Brown County Reforestation Camp : 4418 Reforestation Road, Suamico.  The 51-site Reforestation Camp campground is next to the NEW Zoo and Adventure Park. There are bike and horse trails nearby, RV dump stations, showers and restrooms, and playgrounds. Distance to Lambeau? 14 miles .
• Brown County Bay Shore : 5637 Sturgeon Bay Road, town of Green Bay. The Bay Shore campground is the most popular campground in the area and sits on the Niagara Escarpment. with 107 wooded campsites. Pets are allowed on leashes, and amenities include a boat launch, firewood, hiking and biking trails, and a playground. Distance to Lambeau? 24 miles.
• Brown County Fairgrounds : 1500 Fort Howard Ave., De Pere. The fairgrounds camping site is the best option for anyone looking for urban camping or traveling in a large RV unit. It's close to Lambeau Field and downtown Green Bay with 46 campsites, a boat launch, and free WiFi. Distance to Lambeau? 4 miles .

Contact Benita Mathew at bmathew@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Brown County-run campgrounds could run you $100 a night during the NFL draft