Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Namakagon Cluster
The Chequamegon offers some of the finest camping opportunities, with spacious campsites nestled amidst trees beside a lake or stream. A wide variety of facilities and activities can be found at the 24 campgrounds dispersed throughout the Forest. Campsite fees vary, depending upon site locations and lake accessibility. Water pumps and outhouse toilet facilities are provided at many of the Forest’s campgrounds. Special sites suitable for disabled camping are also available at two of the Chequamegon campgrounds. Reservations for these special sites should be made in advance. For those that really want to get away from it all, backcountry camping is permitted throughout the Forest as long as the site is located at least 50 feet away from any trail or water’s edge.
CAMPGROUNDS
Namakagon – 5 miles north of County Hwy M on County Highway D. Water available. No showers. Nearest Trailheads: Namakagon Town Hall – 5 miles, Rock Lake – 8 miles.
Two Lakes – 5 miles south of Drummond on Lake Owen Drive. Water available. No showers.
Perch Lake – Delta-Drummond Road (FR 35) 5 miles north of Drummond. Water available. No showers.
Wanoka Lake – 7.6 miles east of Iron River off US Hwy 2. Water available. No showers.
Dispersed Camping
Permitted throughout the National Forest. No permits are required and there are no fees. Use fire with caution. Camp away from water sources and off the trails. Do not camp near any developed National Forest sites such as trailheads, boat landings, wildlife viewing areas, etc. Leave no trace.
Trailside Camping
The following primitive campsites are all located in the Namakagon Cluster and are on the National Forest. Please follow all Forest Service regulations with regard to proximity to trails, water, use of fire and motorized vehicles. These are not designated sites, but have had traditional use. They are not maintained and have no amenities, except perhaps a fire ring. There are no toilets and water is only available from the lakes, which should be filtered or treated.
Rock Lake
East site – large open area adjacent to Rock Lake Trail. Follow Rock Lake bike trail from Rock Lake Trailhead approximately 2 miles.
North site – small intimate site on the north shore of Rock Lake. Follow the Rock Lake bike trail to N8. Turn right for .3 mile. Go straight across ski trail for .1 mile and follow unmarked path on the left to the lake.
Emerson Lake – This site can be accessed by car or bike. It is located off Rock Lake Rd. approximately 3 miles south of County Highway M and is a short walk into the site. By bike, take the Rock Lake Trail approximately 2.5 miles. The trail briefly joins an old woods road. Instead of turning right onto the woods road segment turn left and follow less than .5 mile to Rock Lake Rd., turn right onto the path to the lake.
Patsy Lake – Two little used sites about half-way north to south on the west side of Patsy Lake – about .3 mile and .5 south of N13.
Wilson Lake – From the Patsy Lake Trail at N9, take the Wilson Lake Spur about one mile to the lake. A larger, more open site can be reached from a short side road. Or continue on the main trail to access another, smaller more intimate site on an elevated point.
Bayfield County Forest
Cable & Mt. Ashwabay Clusters
Dispersed Camping
Permitted throughout the County Forest. No permits are required and there are no fees. Use fire with caution. Camp away from water sources and off the trails. Leave no trace. Be sure you are on county forest and not private land.
Trailside Camping
Danky Dank Trail – Remote, elevated site overlooking unnamed pond just off Danky Dank about 3 miles east of C12 and .5 mile west of junction with Trail Lake Trail.
