Best Tent Camping near Boulder Junction, WI

Dispersed camping opportunities near Boulder Junction, Wisconsin include primitive sites across the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and specific tent-only areas like Three Johns Lake Dispersed. The region features multiple tent camping options within an hour's drive, including Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping in Michigan and the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, both offering secluded tent sites with minimal amenities.

Most tent sites provide basic amenities like fire rings and pit toilets, but services vary significantly between locations. Campers should bring drinking water, as many sites lack potable water sources. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest backcountry sites typically offer free tent camping with fire rings but no toilets or drinking water. Walk-in sites at Wabasso Lake Recreation Area include picnic tables, fire rings, and access to vault toilets. Sites around Three Johns Lake are primitive with no facilities beyond simple fire rings. Firewood availability is limited, so campers should either purchase locally or gather downed wood where permitted.

Areas farther from town offer deeper seclusion and fewer encounters with other campers. The Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area provides boat-in tent camping on islands throughout the 12,942-acre flowage, creating natural privacy buffers. A visitor commented, "The Turtle Flambeau Flowage is dubbed the 'Boundary Waters of Wisconsin' and for good reason! The quality of the waters, vast array of channels, islands and camping spots is simply amazing." Walk-in tent sites at Wabasso Lake feature lake views and swimming access, though parking is limited at the trailhead. The Sylvania Wilderness offers canoe-accessible tent sites on multiple lakes, though campers report sites can be relatively close to each other. Bug protection is essential throughout the region, particularly at waterside campsites where mosquitoes and biting flies can be abundant.

Best Tent Sites Near Boulder Junction, Wisconsin (20)

    1. Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

    4 Reviews
    Watersmeet, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 358-4724

    $15 / night

    "A lovely area with a good balance of open space and tree cover. Nearby Clark Lake is very pretty, good for swimming, and serves as the primary water source."

    "We did it the easy way, loaded our canoe, crossed the lake to our campsite and set up camp. No portaging with our gear."

    2. Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area

    6 Reviews
    Mercer, WI
    23 miles
    Website

    "The Turtle Flambeau Flowage is dubbed the "Boundary Waters of Wisconsin" and for good reason! The quality of the waters, vast array of channels, islands and camping spots is simply amazing."

    "It is a larger site with the addition of a picnic table"

    3. Wabasso Lake Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Lac du Flambeau, WI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 762-2461

    "The campgrounds here have a fire ring and table, and plenty of room to set up in. The lake is gorgeous and swimmable. The only amenities are a vault toilet and water."

    "There are only walk-in tent sites here. We missed that before we headed here so we needed to look elsewhere. There are other campgrounds just a few miles away."

    4. Newman Lake Shelter

    1 Review
    Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, WI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 762-2461

    $25 / night

    5. Burned Dam Campground

    3 Reviews
    Watersmeet, MI
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 358-4724

    "We did look around and it’s a decent place.

    A couple sites are large enough for a small camper and screen room. Others will only fit a tent. There is a vault toilet but no water or garbage."

    "Beautiful, quiet, free campgrounds right next to the Ontonagon River and Mex-i-mine Falls (you can hear the rushing water)."

    6. Boulder Junction

    2 Reviews
    Eagle River, WI
    32 miles
    Website

    "Love Boulder Junction! Always a great time to spend 4th of July ❤️🎉🎊"

    "The weather was a bit cold on Lake Superior and our picnic was ruined. However we had a great laugh making sandwiches in the car in a middle of a rain storm."

    7. Robbins Pond Campground

    1 Review
    Ottawa National Forest, MI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 358-4724

    8. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Backcountry Site

    1 Review
    Hiles, WI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 479-2827

    "There is a sandy beach on a small lake full of fish. The Sam Cambell trail is right next door, it’s a nice walk to another tiny lake."

    9. Point of View Lake Resort & Glamping Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Land o Lakes, WI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 545-3474

    $45 - $199 / night

    10. Three Johns Lake Dispersed

    1 Review
    Three Lakes, WI
    35 miles

    "Tents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Boulder Junction, WI

486 Reviews of 20 Boulder Junction Campgrounds


  • Stephanie F.
    Jul. 3, 2017

    North Trout Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Fewer amenities, but great trade-off

    We arrived on a Thursday and were able to snag one of the much-coveted lakeside sites for a private view of the sunset. Sites were level and clean and it never got busy for the weekend, which is just the way I like it. Although there are tons of other state campgrounds nearby with more amenities, I would gladly trade all of that for the no-electric, vault toilet, water pump solitude of North Trout Lake. The campground has a nature trail and is also located on a paved bike path that runs between nearby towns and connects to the other camping areas.

    Amenities: nice/clean vault toilets, water from pump tastes fantastic, swimming beach, firewood for sale onsite, no electric, no showers.

  • Stacia R.
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park

    Stunning landscapes

    We camped at Presque Isle in the Porkies for a long weekend in October. The color change was amazing! This campground is rustic with only vault toilets and no hookups. There is a section that allows generators during certain hours of the day, a non-generator area and a few walk-in sites. There are a few sites which are along the cliff side looking down to Lake Superior, we were lucky enough to reserve one of those, site 2. It was a very large site, equipped with the standard picnic table and fire ring. Many of the sites back up to the woods, which were smaller and a little soggy while we were there. This campground is one of two in the park, Union Bay is the other more modern campground located right on the lake. The sites there are much smaller and crowded. I prefer the more remote Presque Isle campground by far. Less amenities but far less people. The hiking throughout this park is unparalleled in its beauty. The campground is close to the Presque Isle river trail which is waterfall after waterfall. The park has a ski lift we rode to check out the views from the top of the mountain, as well as an 18 hole disc course. It’s the hiking and rugged beauty of the area that is the main attraction, especially catching the fall colors surrounding Lake Superior.

  • Nona A.
    Aug. 10, 2017

    Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park

    Great Campground for exploring, and for those who love waterfalls.

    If you're a person who loves waterfalls, then I recommend you don’t miss this campground.  Presque Isle Campground is located at the southern edge of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  This campground has bluff overlooking Lake Superior, there is a walkway and stairs that take you down the bluff to the shore.  Walking distance from the campground is the Presque River you can hike along and see all the beautiful waterfalls this river has to offer.  This is a Rustic campground that has vault toilets, and hand pump drinking water. The campground, restrooms and surrounding area’s were kept very clean. There are 50 campsites that are equipped for tents, trailers, and RV’s.  Each site has a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is no electrical hook up, and part of the campground is generator free.  Six of the sites are walk in sites, there are parking spots for these sites, you park and walk in a little ways to your site.  I recommend a site that is located on the outer sides of the campground loop.  They are larger sites and more privacy from your neighbors.  Inner loop sites are closer together and open.  Be prepared for mosquitoes and blackflies.  Blackflies bite, and bug spray does not affect them.  I found keeping a hand towel or fly swatter moving around me helped keep them away.  They are more active when it is humid, and down by the water.  These flies seem to be common up here along the shore.

    There are many things to do around the campground close to your site and others are a little bit of a drive from your site in the Porcupine Mountains State Park.  If you like to stay close to your camp, you can hang out on the beach, hike along the Presque Isle River and discover the Manabezho Falls, Manido Falls, and the Nawadaha Falls.  Also the Lake Superior Trail and North Country Trail are right by the campground.  These trails will connect you with other trails in the Porcupine Mountains.  The Porcupine Mountains have lot’s to offer anyone stopping to visit.  We took and day and seen The Lake of the Clouds, and Summit Peak.  They both are gorgeous areas to explore.  

  • A
    Aug. 19, 2020

    Black River Harbor Campground

    Great campground in a beautiful location

    We stayed at Black River Harbor Campground last week, in a year that the water supply was never turned on due to Covid. Nevertheless, we had an amazing time. We stayed in one of the many first-come-first-served campsites (which seemed to be available late into the afternoon, but filled most nights) and enjoyed a large site, separated by a pretty dense forest in between our neighbors. We had easy access to nicely maintained vault toilets, and had there been water available this year there were plenty of spigots—no hand pumps here. The fire rings were solid and had cooking greats on each one, and the picnic tables in many cases were new. If you are heading here during the wetter season, know that the ground will likely be soft, but every site we looked at had some effort taken to make sure it stayed dry.

    The real gem of this place is the location. The Black River Falls are an astounding bit of Michigan scenery just minutes away by car. We decided to take a 7 mile out-and-back hike that brought us past five of the falls—each one far exceeding the expectations of this downstater. Next door to the Black River Falls are the Presque Isle Falls (though next door still means about an hour drive due to following the valley roads). The Presque Isle Falls are part of the Porcupine Wilderness State Park, and are gorgeous and even more accessible than the Black River Falls.

    Beyond hiking we had a great time hunting for agates on the beach and enjoying the marvelous spectacle of Lake Superior, including its unpredictable weather!

  • Andrew D.
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Franklin Lake

    Great campsite

    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.

  • Hilary S.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    Beautiful at peak fall color!

    I did a 3 day/2 night hike during peak color, starting at the Lake Superior Trailhead. I was warned the Lake Superior trail was muddy when I checked in, and the ranger was not joking - I was grateful to have trekking poles to help balance on logs, branches, roots and rocks to try to keep my boots as dry as possible in the parts of the trail that were submerged. 

    Campsite LS-14 had a lovely location on the lake, but was very muddy/previously submerged with water. It immediately abuts site LS-13. There was a wooden platform to put my tent on, but I had to bolster the corners so that it was big enough for my tent poles to have something to rest on. If I had gotten in before dark, I might have seen the small area near the trail side of the site that had higher, dryer ground. There is supposed to be a bear pole for these sites, but the group at the other site said there wasn't one. In hindsight, I think there probably was, away from the campsites, but since I had a canister, I didn't go looking for it after dark. The Lake Superior trail continued to be muddy until you got close to the Big Carp River mouth.

    Campsite BC-8 was a big upgrade - very large site, a little patch of open sky over the fire pit, easy access to the river for water. The big trees provided good shelter from a minor storm and high winds overnight. This site is right alongside the trail, but separated from the cabin and next site by a good distance. The hike out from here up the Big Carp River trail to Lake of the Clouds is a somewhat longer trek with a bit of elevation gain, but nothing too intense in my opinion.

  • Danielle A.
    Sep. 27, 2016

    Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

    Lovely, covered backcountry sites

    A lovely area with a good balance of open space and tree cover. Nearby Clark Lake is very pretty, good for swimming, and serves as the primary water source. The area is covered in soft pine duff but finding a truly flat spot free of any small mounds of moss or decayed nurse logs can be a challenge.

  • L
    Sep. 24, 2024

    North Trout Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Nice State Campground

    You get a relatively flat site, fire ring, a picnic table, hand pump for water and vault toilets along with a beautiful clear water lake. There's a boat launch and firewood for sale. Reservations need to be made and paid online even if your fcfs. Cell phone and data are okay. There is tire noise from Highway M.

    Very few folks around in September!

    Honeymooned here in 1975. The location on the lake is beautiful. We camped here many times over the years. In tents, VW campers, trailers until about 20 years ago. Got a Sprinter RV this year and we're camped here now.

  • Carrie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2017

    Lac Vieux Desert

    Nice place near a historic lake

    Nice campground with all the basics of a National Forest Campground. The sites offer each site a fair amount of privacy. They are all suitable for trailers and tent camping as they provide a level tent pad in each site.

    I'm only giving 4 stars because the campground is about a mile from the lake. However, the distance from the water does help with the mosquitoes.

    Fire rings have grills, and there are wooden picnic tables.

    Lac Vieux Desert is a big and beautiful lake with excellent fishing! Although we didn't do great, others did. This is the headwaters of the Wisconsin River.


Guide to Boulder Junction

Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, offers a fantastic array of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers should check out local attractions

  • Experience the stunning beauty of the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, known for its pristine waters and numerous islands, perfect for canoe camping.
  • Explore the serene landscapes of the Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping, where you can paddle to secluded sites and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
  • Visit the Wabasso Lake Recreation Area, a picturesque spot with swimmable waters and a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for a relaxing getaway.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy canoeing and kayaking at the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, where you can navigate through channels and discover hidden campsites.
  • Take a hike in the Ottawa National Forest surrounding the Sylvania Wilderness, offering beautiful trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
  • Fish in the crystal-clear waters of Wabasso Lake, where you can cast your line and enjoy a day on the water.

Unique features of these campgrounds

  • The Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area features rustic campsites on private islands, providing a secluded experience with fire rings and latrines.
  • Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping offers a mix of boat-in and hike-in access, allowing for a true backcountry experience with minimal amenities.
  • Wabasso Lake Recreation Area provides walk-in tent sites with stunning lake views, making it a perfect spot for those seeking a peaceful lakeside retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Boulder Junction, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Boulder Junction, WI is Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Boulder Junction, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Boulder Junction, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.