Saved Account Join
A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Public land camping

Camping in Wisconsin

46 federal places to camp in Wisconsin, from Forest Service, National Park Service and Army Corps of Engineers, on the land they sit on.

46
federal places to camp
40 Forest Service, 1 National Park Service, 3 Army Corps of Engineers
1,311
campsites you can book ahead
At the 41 places that take reservations on Recreation.gov. 2 more are first come, first served
1,770 ft
the highest you can drive to
Spectacle Lake Campground
15
counties with federal camping
20 gateway towns, each with three or more within 30 miles

The Wisconsin campground map

Select a pin for its elevation, its sites and its page. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see how you get there, and use the finder for a campground, a town or a peak.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Camping near a town

Every federal campground in Wisconsin

46 places

  1. Ada Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Langlade County 1,661 ftelevation 19sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  2. Anvil Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Vilas County 1,740 ftelevation 17sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  3. Bagley Rapids Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Oconto County 923 ftelevation 30sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  4. Bah1 Other · Bayfield County 1,122 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  5. Bah2 Other · Bayfield County 1,122 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  6. Bear Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Forest County 1,394 ftelevation 27sites 64 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  7. Beaver Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Ashland County 1,461 ftelevation 10sites 35 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  8. Black Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Sawyer County 1,402 ftelevation 28sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  9. Blackhawk Park Army Corps · Mississippi River - Pool 9 · Vernon County 629 ftelevation 146sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  10. Boot Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Oconto County 1,318 ftelevation 33sites 78 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  11. Boulder Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Oconto County 1,137 ftelevation 99sites 61 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  12. Chippewa Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Taylor County 1,020 ftelevation 73sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  13. Day Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Ashland County 1,443 ftelevation 38sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  14. East Twin Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Ashland County 1,464 ftelevation 10sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  15. Eastwood Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Taylor County 1,436 ftelevation 25sites 35 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  16. Emily Lake Recreation Area Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Vilas County 1,589 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival
  17. Franklin Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Forest County 1,700 ftelevation 76sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  18. Grant River Army Corps · Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 · Grant County 617 ftelevation 72sites 55 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  19. Highland Ridge Army Corps · Eau Galle Lake · St. Croix County 1,110 ftelevation 58sites 60 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  20. Kentuck Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Vilas County 1,730 ftelevation 30sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  21. Lac Vieux Desert Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Vilas County 1,693 ftelevation 31sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  22. Lake Three Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Ashland County 1,389 ftelevation 7sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  23. Laura Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Forest County 1,496 ftelevation 41sites 73 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  24. Laurel Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Oneida County 1,630 ftelevation 12sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  25. Lost Lake Cabins cabin or lookout Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Florence County 1,526 ftelevation 13sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  26. Lost Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Florence County 1,524 ftelevation 27sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  27. Luna White Deer Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Forest County 1,735 ftelevation 37sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  28. Mineral Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Ashland County 1,411 ftelevation 10sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  29. Moose Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Sawyer County 1,392 ftelevation 15sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  30. Morgan Lake Campground and Group Site group campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Florence County 1,500 ftelevation 9sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  31. Namekagon Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Ashland County 1,168 ftelevation 34sites 55 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  32. Namekagon District Park Service · Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway · Washburn County 1,048 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  33. North Twin Lake Recreation Area Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Taylor County 1,465 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  34. Perch Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Bayfield County n/aelevation 16sites 35 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  35. Perch Lake Recreation Area Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Bayfield County 1,223 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comeor not listed
  36. Pine Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Forest County 1,638 ftelevation 12sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  37. Richardson Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Forest County 1,583 ftelevation 26sites 56 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  38. Sailor Lake Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Price County 1,460 ftelevation 25sites 45 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  39. Smith Rapids Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Price County 1,500 ftelevation 8sites 75 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  40. Spearhead Point Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Taylor County 1,140 ftelevation 38sites 35 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  41. Spectacle Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Vilas County 1,770 ftelevation 34sites 40 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  42. Stevens Lake Campground Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Forest County 1,575 ftelevation 6sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  43. Stockfarm Bridge Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Ashland County 1,463 ftelevation 8sites n/alongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  44. Twin Lakes Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Price County 1,587 ftelevation 17sites 35 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  45. Two Lakes Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Bayfield County 1,370 ftelevation 94sites 80 ftlongest rig ReserveRecreation.gov
  46. West Point Recreation Area Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Taylor County 1,404 ftelevation n/asites n/alongest rig First comepay on arrival

Camping rules worth knowing in Wisconsin

Dispersed camping on the national forest: 21 days, then a road mile away
Forest Order 09-13-25-02 sets the occupancy rules and they are specific. Dispersed camping in the same location for more than 21 days in a 28-day period is prohibited, and within that 28 days the next camp must be at least one road mile from the last. Camping at a developed recreation site for more than 14 consecutive days is prohibited, after which the party leaves the campground for at least 24 hours. Tent campers stay a minimum of 150 feet from the edge of any trail or forest road, and the forest asks for 200 feet from water. Violation is a Class B misdemeanour carrying a fine of up to five thousand dollars for an individual. Source 8
Remote camping means walking, and leaving the vehicle behind
The department allows remote primitive backpack camping on some northern forest properties under a permit system, and states the terms plainly: the permit holder hikes in at least one mile to the camping location, and no vehicles or trailers are allowed. There is no version of this that involves sleeping in or beside the vehicle, which is the distinction that matters for anyone planning a Wisconsin trip around dispersed camping. Source 26
The rustic campgrounds are rustic, and still reservable
The Northern Highland-American Legion has 14 rustic campgrounds with 505 campsites between them, and every one of those sites is reservable. Rustic in the state system describes the facilities rather than the booking: no hookups and often no running water, but the same reservation screen as everywhere else, and the same competition for a Friday in July. Source 33
Dispersed camping is a national forest privilege here
Forest Order 09-13-25-02 sets the terms on the Chequamegon-Nicolet. Dispersed camping in the same location for more than 21 days in a 28-day period is prohibited, and the next campsite within that 28 days must be at least one road mile from the last. Dispersed camping within a quarter mile of a developed recreation site is also prohibited, as is staying longer than 14 consecutive days at a developed site, after which the party must leave the campground for at least 24 hours. The forest asks tent campers to stay at least 150 feet from the edge of any trail or forest road and encourages a site 200 feet from water. Source 7
The vehicle admission sticker is required for stopping, not just for camping
A vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles stopping in Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation areas. The DNR prices a 12-month pass at $28 for a vehicle with Wisconsin plates and $50 for one with out-of-state plates, and a daily at $13 and $16. Wisconsin residents aged 65 and over pay $13 for the year or $3 for the day. Overnight parking for backpackers and paddlers is allowed in certain lots, but a vehicle left more than 48 hours without notice to the property office may be treated as abandoned. Source 24

The full guide to overlanding Wisconsin

By agency

By county

Campground records: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), read September 19, 2026. Elevations: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Fees, seasons and limits change; confirm with the managing office before you go.

Join Overlanding Life
Saved Account

Start with a region

Browse the directory