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

Forest Service campground

Spectacle Lake Campground

Forest Service campground in Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, Vilas County, Wisconsin. 1,770 feet. 13.3 miles from Eagle River.

Managed by
Forest Service Chequamegon-Nicolet NF
Elevation
1,770 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
34 33 standard non-electric, 1 tent only non-electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Vilas County

Overview

With a 500-foot swim beach and the crystal clear lake, Spectacle Lake Campground is a family favorite. Come fish for a variety of gamefish species or hike the trail to Kentuck Lake Campground. This 2.5-mile trail utilizes part of the old Thunder Lake Railroad bed and is a pleasant hike.

Recreation

The lake provides visitors with ample opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. Anglers can expect a catch of walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish and trout. The lake is open to all types of boating, motorized and non-motorized. The Spectacle-Kentuck Trail extends from the campground along the old Thunder Lake Railroad bed all the way to Kentuck Lake Campground, approximately 2.5 miles away. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area and visitors are encouraged to keep watch.

Facilities

The campground offers 34 single family campsites, available for tent or RV camping. The campground offers both first-come, first-served campsites as well as sites which can be reserved in advance. Sites are equipped with tables and fire rings with grills. Vault toilets and drinking water are available throughout the campground.

For more information about Spectator Lake Campground, print an information sheet (PDF) which includes a map of the campground.

Natural Features

This campground is located on the east shore of Spectacle Lake in a mixed species forest at an elevation of 1,770 feet. The 166-acre lake boasts an enormous 500-foot-long sandy beach.

Nearby Attractions

The City of Eagle River is located about 16 miles southwest of the campground. A variety of services and activities are offered in Eagle River throughout the year.

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

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • swimming site

The land around Spectacle Lake 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.

Interactive map. Drag to pan, scroll or pinch to zoom, and select any point to see which agency manages the land. Arrow keys pan and the plus and minus keys zoom when the map has focus. A list of every state with its share of federal land is on the Explore page.

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.

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.