212 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Crandon, WI ranges from developed campgrounds with electric and water hookups to rustic lakeside campsites in the Northwoods. The area includes several 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.
from $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"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)."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Three nice sites near the lake with a boat landing. Nice turn around area."
"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."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"1 site is on the road entering and 2 others are located on the lake. The water is crystal clear and very beautiful. There is another site on the north island that is accessible by boat"
"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."
ScoutWe stopped here on a half way stop to our land. Is a very cute place. Has an outdoor bar and taco truck with great food! Camper parking on a cement slab, power and water. Also a fire put and picnic tables at your site. Very nice owner! Had a great time.
GuideSite (gravel pad) was roughly 50x25... lot of room for our large tent, kitchen set up, portable shower and screen tent. Fishing was good! views were great! Mosquitoes were thick! Be prepared for the Mosquitoes! Quiet and private. Lots of room between sites. We will be back! Biking, Kayaking, swimming, Hiking...
TravelerFirst time on this campground and I would 100% recommend. Campsites are surrounded by tall trees unlike your usual campsites where you can see your next door neighbor. Our campsite lead directly to the lake and was right in the middle so the view was perfect. Easy to navigate and not a very far drive to Minoqua. Very quiet, especially at night. We were able to catch fish and look at the stars very clearly!
GuideNice campground, well maintained, next to a lake with a boat ramp. Ever site has a picnic table, fire ring, asphalt pad and drying stand. Vault toilets, very limited trash collection trash cans (2). No water or waste. Only a few pull through most are back in.
ScoutNice big sites
TravelerStayed here many times during bow hunting season. These are great sites along the river. Note: this is not a free place to camp as it's on Marinette count forest land and they charge $25 for two weeks or 1 night.
TravelerStayed here many times during bow hunting season. These are great sites along the river. Note: this is not a free place to camp as it's on Marinette count forest land and they charge $25 for two weeks or 1 night.
TravelerStayed here many times during bow hunting season. These are great sites along the river. Note: this is not a free place to camp as it's on Marinette count forest land and they charge $25 for two weeks or 1 night.
TravelerStayed here many times during bow hunting season. These are great sites along the river. Note: this is not a free place to camp as it's on Marinette count forest land and they charge $25 for two weeks or 1 night.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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