Best Campgrounds near Crandon, WI

Camping in Wisconsin's Northwoods region near Crandon presents a mix of developed campgrounds and more rustic options. The area includes several established campgrounds like Holly Wood Hill Campground, Pine Lake Campground in the Nicolet National Forest, and Richardson Lake, all offering varying levels of amenities. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tents and RVs, while some like Holly Wood Hill and Hiles Pine Lake also feature cabins. The Nicolet National Forest provides multiple camping opportunities with sites situated on or near lakes and surrounded by dense forest, creating an authentic northwoods camping experience.

May through October marks the primary camping season in this region, with most campgrounds officially operating between early May and mid-October. Many National Forest campgrounds like Ada Lake and Pine Lake operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while others such as Holly Wood Hill and Hiles Pine Lake accept reservations. Winter conditions can make access difficult, particularly at more remote sites. Summer brings comfortable daytime temperatures, though nights can remain cool. One camper noted, "Small primitive campsites right on lake pine in a beautiful area. The sites are adequate and nothing negative to report. Host was super friendly and came up to welcome me."

Lakeside campsites represent a significant draw for the area, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. Sites at Ada Lake and Bear Lake particularly stand out for their proximity to water and natural setting. As one visitor described Ada Lake, "Great campground, albeit gravely. The amenities were well kept and placed and having our dog with us wasn't a problem." Most campgrounds feature basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though hookup availability varies significantly. Sites with electric and water hookups command higher fees but provide more comfort for RV campers. More secluded sites in the National Forest typically offer a quieter experience with fewer amenities but greater privacy and natural surroundings. Mosquitoes can be abundant during certain periods, particularly at heavily wooded sites near water.

Best Camping Sites Near Crandon, Wisconsin (177)

    1. Holly Wood Hill Campground & Crandon Saloon Event Center

    2 Reviews
    Crandon, WI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 212-3308

    $30 - $60 / night

    2. Nicolet National Forest Pine Lake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hiles, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 674-4481

    "One campsite near water, the rest are off water. Boat ramp outside of campground, but is in walking distance. Small beach for swimming with picnic table and BBQ in campground."

    "Small primitive campsites right on lake pine in a beautiful area. The site are adequate and nothing negative to report. Host was super friendly and came up to welcome me."

    3. Hiles Pine Lake Campground

    1 Review
    Hiles, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 649-3319

    4. Richardson Lake

    4 Reviews
    Wabeno, WI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 674-4481

    $15 / night

    "The lakeside campsites are elevated somewhat high above the lake, so you need to walk down stairs or a steep-ish trail to get to the water."

    "Quiet, secluded, right next to a lake."

    5. Ada Lake Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Wabeno, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 276-6333

    "One was a multi-layer setup while others were more hidden as they moved further away from the lake. The picnic tables look very new and the vault toilets are well kept."

    "We arrived mid-week and had no problem getting a lakeside campsite. The sites are low compared to the water level, so it was an easy walk from our campsite to the water (no stairs to climb)."

    6. Bear Lake

    7 Reviews
    Wabeno, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 674-4481

    $15 / night

    "Small and secluded this campground sits on the edge of bear lake and little cub lake is a short walk or drive from there."

    "It’s a nice drive out here passing some local homes along the way. The road to the lake is just for the campground. There is a boat launch and picnic area before the campsites."

    7. Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park

    6 Reviews
    Pearson, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 623-6214

    "This campground is right on Jack Lake and Game Lake."

    "On the ice age trail. Bike trails. Near ATV trails and they offer disc golf. Ill be back here for sure."

    8. S-J & W Ham Lake Campground, LLC

    1 Review
    Wabeno, WI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 674-2201

    9. Franklin Lake

    14 Reviews
    Three Lakes, WI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 479-2827

    $15 - $25 / night

    "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!"

    "My family has been coming to Franklin Lake for decades. It’s hands down our favorite campground in Wisconsin."

    10. Ada Lake NF Campground

    2 Reviews
    Wabeno, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 276-3594

    "A nice little beach, quiet well spaced sites, and nearby snowmobile/hiking trails. The lake it small with a few lake cabins across the lake."

    "Trolling motors only on this lake. Good fishing and quite. Dirty and grave sites with no concrete pads. Great place to spend a week or two!"

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Recent Reviews near Crandon, WI

434 Reviews of 177 Crandon Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Horn Lake and Lincoln County Forest

    Beautiful dispersed spot

    Stunning, got here on a Monday night and no one was here. Sites are right on the water. Dirt road was fine for our older 29’ rv

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Luna White Deer Campground

    Two of the bigger campgrounds in the State Park

    The campgrounds with 30 plus sites are two of the bigger grounds in Chequamegon-Nicolet areas that look very well maintained. The facilities are currently at the end of the season closing maintenance (closed on October 15). "On foot" travels only when camping after that. And, in addition to a few dispersed camping lots available for a fee outside the two facilities, these will be one of my winter camps destinations.

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Laurel Lake Campground — Chequamegon Nicolet NF

    Another Excellent Camp-out at Campground 2 Laurel Lake

    Dark and quiet at night time. The site would be a perfect canoe landing, the water is within a few yards. The campground has three spacious sites, while the Campground 1 in the lake has eight. A vault toilet and clean water well. The autumn weather is bright and fresh!

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Franklin Lake

    Season's Best at Franklin Lake

    We have had an excellent camp-out this year here. Maybe because our site is only a yard away from the water, and with ample living space for multiple tents and a vehicle. A fire ring and a picnic table. A set of vault toilets nearby. We didn't expect to find flushing toilets in a campground anywhere, but, we have a choice here to drive up further and use the facility. The wood forest is nicely maintained. Falling off branches are taken care of off the roads right away. And, that's all we care about in enjoying the outdoors this year.

  • Nancy May The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Laurel Lake Campground — Chequamegon Nicolet NF

    Laurel Lake Campground

    We don't have any RVs, no RV's cleaning and dumping facility required. It's good enough with its regular and standard trash disposal site. The wood forest is nicely maintained. I have no fear of falling timbers or branches at all times. And, the nicest thing about the campground is the few square-footages of level and compacted square on each site, ready to spread your tent on it. It's great! 👍

  • R
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Governor Thompson State Park Campground

    Beautiful boondocks!

    It's so quiet here. The campsites spread apart the campgrounds may be heavily booked, but it doesn't feel like it. There is swimming, boating (campsites are also available on the island), lots of hiking trails, and tons of waterfalls in the area. Thanks to the came hostess,Melody H, and the other park employees, the bathrooms and showers were impeccable. I've been camping in a tent for two weeks and I look forward to coming back next year.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Bagley Rapids NF Campground

    Sweet Campground, Small and Quiet

    Nice little campground in the Chequamegon National Forest. Cash only, FCFS. There’s not a lot of sites here, but it’s also pretty hidden away. I showed up on a Friday evening around 6:30pm and was still able to snag a spot on the river. Quite a few ticks here, make sure to bring some permethrin spray for your clothes and your dog. Tough fishing from the sites with a lot of overhanging tree cover, but there are a few fish around if you can get a cast in.

    T-Mobile signal is non-existent, Verizon had 1-2 bars of LTE which was enough to send out a few texts.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Franklin Lake

    Excellent sandy beach

    Private sites, great beach, beautiful buildings built by the CCC. There is even a small nature center. My family loves the nature trail that takes us through bogs and past maiden hair ferns. With a boat one can visit an island that once had a cabin. The best swimming is on a sandbar directly across from the beach.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Scott Lake

    Remote site on quiet lake

    The campsite is on a gravel road. There is access to a small lake. Across the road is a nice boardwalk to another lake. The Wilderness Headwaters trail is also close.


Guide to Crandon

Camping near Crandon, Wisconsin offers a diverse range of sites within the Nicolet National Forest, where visitors can experience elevation changes from 1,500-1,800 feet. The region features primarily sandy soil and mixed hardwood forests with numerous glacial lakes throughout the area. Winter temperatures often drop below zero, while summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with cooler nights in September and October.

What to do

Hiking forest trails: The Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park offers access to the Ice Age Trail directly from the campground. "This campground is right on Jack Lake and Game Lake. There are a bunch of trails right in and around the campground, as well as opportunities for canoeing on Game Lake (there is a canoe you can just use for free)," notes Jimmy P.

Disc golf: Several camping areas feature disc golf courses for those seeking recreational activities. "Nice campground with a nice beach area and fantastic disc golf course!" says Nathan R. about Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park.

Winter camping: For adventurous campers, some sites remain accessible during winter months. "Loved the whole experience, the cold, the snow, the hammock camping. Quite an event!" writes Charles M. about a winter camping event called "Frozen Butthang 2023" at Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park.

What campers like

Sandy beaches: Franklin Lake is known for its exceptional swimming areas. "Private sites, great beach, beautiful buildings built by the CCC. There is even a small nature center. My family loves the nature trail that takes us through bogs and past maiden hair ferns," says Kay K.

Private lake sites: Richardson Lake offers waterfront camping, though with some elevation challenges. "This is a nice forest service campground. It's rustic. Sites can be reserved in advance, which is handy when traveling from far away. The lakeside campsites are elevated somewhat high above the lake, so you need to walk down stairs or a steep-ish trail to get to the water," explains Jen E.

Quiet, electric-only lakes: Many of the best places to camp near Crandon feature lakes with motor restrictions. At Ada Lake Recreation Area, "trolling motors only on this lake. Good fishing and quite. Dirty and grave sites with no concrete pads. Great place to spend a week or two!" says Andy K.

What you should know

Mosquito activity: Some camping areas can have significant insect populations, especially during wet periods. At Richardson Lake, one camper warns, "Very beautiful place but billions of mosquitoes. We survived only one night. Couldn't stay outside at all. Nothings helped-sprays, bracelets, enteric oils."

Rustic amenities: Most campgrounds in the national forest have basic facilities. At Bear Lake, "There is drinking water and pit toilets. The pit toliets were the cleanest I have ever used. Firewood is available just a few miles away. There is a Biking/Hiking trail that accesses the Rat River Trail," according to Kimberly G.

Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be extremely limited at many camping sites. "Cell service is awful, you can get service sort of by the lake depending on your provider, but don't count on it," Hannah I. mentions about Franklin Lake.

Tips for camping with families

Beach access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated swimming areas for children. "The lake has a swimming area & beautiful Sandy beach & is perfect for fishing, swimming and kayaking. Laona is just a short drive for gas, and food," shares Lisa R. about Bear Lake.

Playground availability: Holly Wood Hill Campground & Crandon Saloon Event Center offers family entertainment options. "At their little bar area it is very unique they have a pile of different games for everybody to use or play they have a big camp fire there every night. Very down to earth people but just want everybody to have a great time," says John V.

Campsite selection: Choose sites based on your family's specific needs. "Sites vary quite a bit. One was a multi-layer setup while others were more hidden as they moved further away from the lake. The picnic tables look very new and the vault toilets are well kept," explains Art S. about Ada Lake Recreation Area.

Tips from RVers

Concrete pad availability: Hiles Pine Lake Campground offers amenities geared toward RVers. "Owners are great, campground is clean and quiet, nice showers, not really a kids campground more like a relaxing or fishing campground," notes hesselinkj.

Hookup positions: Be aware of utility placement at each site. "Yards on the lower sites are large, lots of room with concrete pads, but power/water hookups at lower sites are designed for motorhomes, not travel trailers. Yards on upper sites are cramped and unlevel," warns Tonya B. about Holly Wood Hill Campground.

Dump station access: Some campgrounds have challenging dump station configurations. "Dump site is unlevel and leans away from hose hookup making it difficult to fully flush holding tanks. Driveway to get in and out of dump site is rough and quite tight for a camper longer than 35ft to maneuver around," according to Tonya B.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV camping options or rentals available in Crandon, Wisconsin?

Yes, RV camping options are available in and around Crandon. West Bass Lake offers RV-friendly sites and has recently upgraded its facilities with new showers and flush toilets. For RVers, Laura Lake Recreation Area provides spacious sites with beautiful lake views, though some are positioned on hills. In the Crandon area specifically, Holly Wood Hill Campground has concrete pads with power/water hookups designed for motorhomes on lower sites, while upper sites are more cramped and unlevel. Some area campgrounds like Hiles Pine Lake and Bear Lake are designated as big-rig friendly. For RV rentals, check with local outdoor recreation businesses in Crandon or nearby larger towns, as on-site rental availability is limited.

What campgrounds are available in and around Crandon, Wisconsin?

Crandon and the surrounding area offer several camping options amid northern Wisconsin's forests and lakes. Holly Wood Hill Campground & Crandon Saloon Event Center is located in Crandon itself, featuring concrete pads and ATV/UTV-friendly facilities. A short drive away, Richardson Lake provides lakeside camping, though it can get busy during race weekends in Crandon. Other nearby options include Boot Lake Campground near Townsend, Bagley Rapids in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Morgan Lake Campground for a more remote experience, and Franklin Lake with lakefront sites. Most campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities like vault toilets and water access, perfect for exploring Wisconsin's beautiful north woods.

Where can I find maps of camping areas in Crandon?

Maps of camping areas around Crandon can be found through multiple sources. For national forest campgrounds like Bagley Rapids NF Campground in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, visit the USFS website or stop at the Lakewood-Laona District ranger station for detailed maps. Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park offers trail maps directly at the campground, showcasing routes around Jack Lake and Game Lake. Many state and county campgrounds provide maps at entrance stations or information boards. The Wisconsin DNR website features downloadable maps of state campgrounds and recreation areas. The Dyrt app/website also offers user-submitted maps and campground layouts. For ATV/UTV trails connecting to campgrounds, visit the Forest County tourism office in Crandon for specialized trail maps.