Lincoln County Forest - Public Fishing Grounds manages Horn Lake Camping, a free dispersed site tucked into forested terrain along the shore of Horn Lake in Irma, Wisconsin. Two established sites sit roughly 40 feet apart on a cul-de-sac at the end of the road, where a boat launch gives anglers and paddlers direct water access. No bathrooms, water hookups, or electrical service are available. Cell service is listed as an amenity, which may matter for campers planning to stay connected.
Getting in requires navigating about two miles of dirt road. Reviewers consistently flag the fork in the road as a key decision point: turning right leads to the two established sites with fire rings, while the left branch becomes tight and twisty, with no fire pits and conditions that make it a poor fit for anything larger than a small trailer. The land to the north is private property, so campers should stay within the designated area.
The fire rings are in place, but at least one reviewer noted evidence of misuse, suggesting campers bring their own grill or portable firepit. Mosquitoes have been mentioned, though wind off the lake can help. The sites can see some use on weekends given there are only two spots, so arriving early is worth considering. "Two sites, fire rings, no bathroom, water, electric," notes Jarrett G., summing up the no-frills setup plainly.
Campers wanting more developed facilities can look at Underdown Campground to the northeast, or browse campgrounds near Lincoln County Forest - Public Fishing Grounds for a broader set of options in the area.
Description
PLEASE NOTE: HORN LAKE IS NOT A DESIGNATED CAMPGROUND
Overnight camping, including tents, trailers, cars and trucks may be permitted in the County Forest without charge for a period of no more than 14 days cumulatively in a calendar year. Any camper who violates the rules of good conduct, including cutting or defacing timber, carelessness with fire, violation of game and fishing laws of the State, or improper disposal of garbage and litter shall be subject to ejection from the County Forest and subject to the penalties provided by County and State laws.
When camping on the County Forest, blocking roads, parking areas, or lake access is not permitted.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsHorn Lake Camping is located in Wisconsin near Irma
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
45.302337133176806 N
89.63471567287787 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/3/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 9/3/26- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 2/10/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 9/3/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 9/3/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 2/10/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Horn Lake Camping needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 26 min from Wausau, WI
- 1 hr 45 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 1 hr 48 min from Green Bay, WI
- 1 hr 54 min from Appleton, WI
