Franklin Lake, near Three Lakes, Wisconsin, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. With its spacious sites and a mix of shaded areas, it’s perfect for both tent campers and RV enthusiasts. 

The campground boasts electric hookups at some sites, which is a recent addition that visitors have appreciated. Many campers have raved about the crystal-clear water and the beautiful beach area, making it a great place for swimming and fishing. As one happy camper noted, “The water is crystal clear and there’s a beach that can be used if you don’t have a lake site.”

For those who enjoy hiking, there are nice trails nearby, and the surrounding Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest offers plenty of opportunities to explore nature. Just be prepared for some pesky mosquitoes; a few campers have mentioned bringing bug spray to keep them at bay. 

The campground is known for its quiet atmosphere, with a good distance between sites, allowing for a peaceful retreat. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer stay, Franklin Lake provides a lovely backdrop for your camping adventures.

## Overview

 Franklin Lake Campground is one of the most popular camping spots within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northern Wisconsin. Its unique structures built by the CCC land it on the National Register of Historic Places. The campground is in a beautiful setting, among tall pines and hemlocks, perched on the edge of the clear blue waters of Franklin Lake. In addition to its scenic landscape, the campground offers access to a variety of hiking trails.
## Recreation

 The lake provides visitors with ample opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. Anglers can expect a catch of walleye, northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, perch, and bluegill, among others. The lake is open to all types of boating, motorized and non-motorized. Numerous trails exist in the area, with some beginning within the campground, including a 6-mile hike to nearby Anvil Lake. The 1-mile Franklin Lake interpretive trail is partly accessible and tours the forest of trees, with some over 400 years old. It leads to the 13-mile Hidden Lakes Trail, which loops south, around Butternut Lake, passing several small lakes with scenic vistas and a remarkable stand of old hemlock trees, then back to the campground. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area and visitors are encouraged to keep watch.
## Natural Features

 The campground is situated in a lush stand of mature pine and hemlock trees, at an elevation of 1,700 feet. Historic stone and log structures, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, are scattered throughout the campground. The adjacent Franklin Lake is 892 acres and boasts a beautiful sandy beach. 
## Nearby Attractions

 The City of Eagle River is located about 15 miles west of the campground. A variety of services are offered there.

Franklin Lake

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Three Lakes, WI is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Three Lakes is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Three Lakes, WI. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Three Lakes

The Best Camping Near Three Lakes, Wisconsin

Make sure you being the bugs spray. They have some crazy huge bugs that like to bite. 

Franklyn Lake WI

I formally lived in northern Wisconsin and we would camp here quite often. Huge lake. Most sites are lake front with steps leading right down to your own private beach! This campground is very popular and busy but it is mostly local people and my experience has been they're all respectful. If youre looking for a less busy experience fall might be a better time or a weekday in summer. Don't forget the bug spray! Those northwoods bugs are lethal🤣

Beautiful lake true northwoods experience

I've camped at Franklin Lake many times now. It is a gorgeous campground that is literally in the middle of nowhere, and I love it. Loons are always on the lake. The water is crystal clear. The beach is great, but if you have a site on the lake you can walk in and swim right there! Amount other wildlife bear are in the area, which is a testament to how off the beaten path this campground is. Despite this there actually is a building with flush toliets! There are plenty of places to hike in the area, and we've even done a little fishing in the area. We saw decent sized fish in Franklin lake, but didn't end up being able to catch any. (We just fish for fun so nothing serious here, I'm sure the fishing is great for those that are in to it!) I am eager to make plans to get back to Franklin Lake. It is just such a beautiful spot. The stars at night are some of the best I've seen with so little light pollution up there. The camoground has always been quiet and there's a good distance between sites. I'm eager to camp here again!

Rustic Quiet and Secluded, Everything a Camper Dreams For

No power, no water, clean pit toilets, beautiful water view sites, no dump station,
LOTS of mosquitos.  Hoped to stay a few nights, chased out by mosquitoes after first one. 

Very nice lake and beach area.  Good fishing.  Clean campground with running water and bathrooms.

Love this place

We camped here in October, the last week the National Forest was open. It seemed that we had 10,000 acres to ourselves. Area was spotless!

Beautiful forests, quiet

My family has been coming to Franklin Lake every year for decades. It’s the most beautiful campground we’ve come across in Wisconsin. The water is crystal clear, you can get campsites on the lake, and it’s pretty quiet. 

There’s bathrooms in the first few loops of the campground but there are pit toilets in the further loops. There’s well water pumps throughout the campground but it’s not good for drinking. 

You can swim off of the lake sites if you have one, otherwise there’s a really nice beach at the beginning of the campground. Boats are allowed on the lake.

Cell service is horrible, you can get service kind of by the lake depending on your provider, but don’t count on it.

My favorite place

My family has been coming to Franklin Lake for decades. It’s hands down our favorite campground in Wisconsin. You can get campsites on the lake, or you could get more secluded sites further back into the woods.

The water is crystal clear and there’s a beach that can be used if you don’t have a lake site. 

There’s bathrooms in the first couple of campsite loops and pit toilets the loops further back in the campground. There’s well water available but it’s not for drinking, just for cooking or cleaning.

Cell service is awful, you can get service sort of by the lake depending on your provider, but don’t count on it.

Got a great site on the lake, some sites are huge and a few are reservable
, nice bathrooms, nice trails to hike and close to eagle river for supplies 

Beautiful campground 

Stayed one night on  a Sunday.  Mostly empty but you can see it is heavily booked for the Fourth of July weekend. They just added electric hook up to some sites in the South End.  Right now the price is the same for electric or non-electric sites.

  

Sites are large and decent spacing between sites.  Heavy tree cover with mostly shade.

The site was mostly gravel with nice fire ring and picnic table.

Great campsite

Beautiful campground had site 45 one week and site 72 the next both fcfs. Campground was quiet and clean. For those with out power there is outlets in shelter in middle of campground to charge batteries. Had phone service through boost mobile enough to stream movies 

Photos of Franklin Lake

Real photos from real campers