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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Lac Vieux Desert Campground

Forest Service campground in Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, Vilas County, Wisconsin. 1,693 feet. 15.5 miles from Eagle River.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Chequamegon-Nicolet NF
Elevation
1,693 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
31 31 standard non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Vilas County

Overview

Lac Vieux Desert Campground is located on the western shore of Lac Vieux Desert, the headwaters of the Wisconsin River. Located in the northwest corner of the Nicolet National Forest, just miles from the Michigan Border, Lac Vieux Desert is one of the premier fisheries in the State of Wisconsin.

Recreation

With walleye, northern pike, musky, large and smallmouth bass, as well as a variety of panfish, Lac Vieux Desert is an angler's paradise. The campgrounds boat landing provides direct access to the lake for the early morning or late evening bite.

Facilities

With 31 campsites accommodating trailers from 35 to 40 feet in length, drinking water, accessible vault toilets, and garbage dumpsters provided, Lac Vieux Desert Campground may become your new fishing headquarters.

Natural Features

Sitting on the western shore of 4,017-acre Lac Vieux Desert, the campground and its sites are nestled amongst tall pines and maples, creating the perfect setting for a weekend getaway.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Phelps and the Phelps to Conover bicycle trail lie a few miles southeast of the campground. Other lakes in close proximity to the campground are North Twin, Long, Big Sand, and Smokey Lake, all of which are known to have excellent fisheries.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • birding
  • boating
  • camping
  • canoeing
  • fishing
  • kayaking

The land around Lac Vieux Desert Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

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.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated March 11, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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