Dispersed camping in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest surrounds Crandon, Wisconsin, with multiple free, primitive sites situated along lakes and waterways. Several small lakes including Wolf Lake, Woodbury Lake, Harriet Lake, Bose Lake, and McKinley Lake feature single or paired campsites accessible by vehicle. Most sites are rustic with fire rings and picnic tables but minimal other amenities. Three Johns Lake and McKinley Lake offer walk-in tent camping opportunities. The McCaslin Brook area provides three riverside sites, while the Oconto River locations create additional options for backcountry camping on public land.
Access roads to many sites require careful navigation, particularly during wet conditions. Several campsites have rough or washed-out entrances that may challenge standard passenger vehicles. The entrance to Oconto River sites specifically requires high-clearance or 4WD capability, with one reviewer noting "4x4 recommended. 2wd truck couldn't make it easily." Camping duration is typically limited to 14 days. Most sites include fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. While some locations feature wilderness toilets, the majority lack drinking water, trash collection, or other facilities. The McCaslin Brook sites and Oconto River-South Branch both require a $5 nightly fee, but many other locations are free.
These primitive camping areas provide solitude and direct access to fishing, paddling, and hiking opportunities. Sites are generally well-spaced for privacy, with some locations featuring just a single campsite on an entire lake. Cell reception varies significantly throughout the region, with AT&T service largely unavailable and other carriers providing limited connectivity. The natural setting compensates for the lack of amenities. According to one camper at McKinley Lake, the single site offers "access to lake" while another noted that Horn Lake camping provides "a great spot right on the water" with "two camp spots with stone rings." A visitor to Three Johns Lake described it as a "tents only, short walk to campsite, only one on lake."
"This remote site has a sandy beach great for swimming or paddling. There is space for a trailer."
"Tent spot by lake boat access."
"I had 8 foot pop up could fit a 20 footer easy or tent camp. Seen two fire ring along the right shore of lake accessable by water."
"The small lake belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach. The parking area is adequate, I’ve seen small trailers set up here. Many hiking trails are nearby."
"The campsite is just off a paved road making it easily accessible. It’s intended for tents, but a small trailer might fit in the parking area. Many hiking opportunities are nearby."
"On small lake has fire ring and picknick table. Room for small camper 10to 15 foot also tents wilderness toilet. No motor lake"
"A single campsite can park next to tent only. Access to lake"
"Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest."
"Entrances need a lot of TLC washed out and large drop from paved road. Middle camp site has best access to brook I put a 8 foot pop up in it you could go bigger 20 foot max."
"The first site, east side, is a pull in right off the road with the pit and table a few steps down from the parking pad. The second site is a pull through facing west right off the road."
"Single campsite on small lake. Room for small camper in parking less than 15 foot. Fire ring and picknick table. Road to get in is narrow and pot holed."
"There are 2 campsites at this trailhead, pretty well spaced apart. The first has more of an opening if solar and Starlink matter to you."
GuideThere are three sites two small one large site which you can fit larger camper or RV in. Entrances need a lot of TLC washed out and large drop from paved road. Middle camp site has best access to brook I put a 8 foot pop up in it you could go bigger 20 foot max. One site I would say is tent only very tight. Wilderness toilet but they look pretty full.
TravelerThere are 3 sites each with a table, fire pit, a toilet pit and right off the brooke. The cost is $5 a night to be paid at Wheeler Walker Beach. The first site, east side, is a pull in right off the road with the pit and table a few steps down from the parking pad. The second site is a pull through facing west right off the road. The easements were a little washed out. The third site is a deep, large site away from the road facing west, with a bad easement. There was some occasional traffic on the main road and a quite a few UTVs.
No one else was here so we chose the third site away from the road. The only con we found to this site was the easement was really washed out and we bottomed our minivan coming in but were able to leave going out on the far right edge. The site is so spacious and could easily be for a large group.
GuideTwo sites on lake some distance apart. Sand bottom on shore, picknick table and fire ring. No fee for camping can stay 14 days.
GuideTents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest.
RangerGreat spot right on the water. There are 2 camp spots with stone rings. They are about 40' apart on a cul-de-sac at the end of the road where the boat launch is. I'd suggest using your own firepit/ grill if you have one as some moron decided burning tires in the firepit was a good idea.
It's a beautiful spot. Very quiet. Land to the north is private property, so keep that in mind. You'll see a few houses on the way in.
If you travel to the left where the road "T's" off, take care. The road is tight and very twisty. There are numerous spots to camp, but no pits to the left. I would not recommend going to the left unless the max your hauling is a teardrop. Anyone up to 20' would be OK going to the right where the established 2 sites are.
GuideWinter camped here, was a nice spot pic nik table, fire ring, wilderness toilet. There is hiking trail access from campsite,but no water access to butternut lake or it would have been 5 star. There is access down the road.Did get one bar of cell (cricket) full with 20 foot ant. Note I've been through here in summer and the road is gravel very dusty from traffic.
TravelerA few mosquitoes, but the wind kept them to a minimum! Great view of the lake and very private. About 2 miles of dirt road to get there. Turn right when you get to ATV trail. Two camp sites 10 yards apart.
GuideStunning, 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
GuideSmall campsite along paved road,fire ring and picnic table ,wilderness toilet. Stayed two nights in September it was quiet fishing was so so. I had 8 foot pop up could fit a 20 footer easy or tent camp. Seen two fire ring along the right shore of lake accessable by water.
Dispersed camping near Crandon, Wisconsin offers primitive sites on the forested public lands of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. This 1.5-million-acre forest spans northern Wisconsin with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet and features numerous small glacial lakes. Winter temperatures often drop below 0°F while summer highs typically reach 70-80°F, requiring campers to prepare for seasonal conditions.
Paddling small lakes: Wolf Lake provides excellent kayaking opportunities with wildlife viewing. "I love this campsite. The small lake belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach," notes a Wolf Lake Campsite visitor.
Fishing small waters: Most forest lakes have no motor restrictions, making them perfect for quiet fishing. A camper at Harriet Lake Campsite explains it's "on small lake has fire ring and picknick table. Room for small camper 10 to 15 foot also tents wilderness toilet. No motor lake."
Hiking trail access: Several sites connect directly to the forest trail system. One winter camper at FR 2140 Dispersed mentioned, "There is hiking trail access from campsite," though they noted "no water access to butternut lake or it would have been 5 star. There is access down the road."
Sandy beaches: Some sites feature natural swimming areas. A camper at Woodbury Lake Campsite shared, "This remote site has a sandy beach great for swimming or paddling. There is space for a trailer."
Solitude on small lakes: Several sites offer private lake access with minimal neighbors. Indian Lake provides "a single site on small lake" that "is just off a paved road making it easily accessible," according to a reviewer.
Brook-side camping: Multiple sites along McCaslin Brook provide peaceful water sounds. A visitor noted, "There are 3 sites each with a table, fire pit, a toilet pit and right off the brooke. The cost is $5 a night to be paid at Wheeler Walker Beach."
Variable access conditions: Many forest roads deteriorate seasonally. A reviewer at Bose Lake Campsite warned, "Road to get in is narrow and pot holed."
Campsite entrances: Several sites have challenging approaches from main roads. At McCaslin Brook Dispersed site, "Entrances need a lot of TLC washed out and large drop from paved road," and another camper reported, "we bottomed our minivan coming in but were able to leave going out on the far right edge."
Cellular connectivity: Coverage varies by carrier throughout the forest. At McCaslin Brook, "There was no AT&T to speak of, but TMobile had 20 down/1 up," while at FR 2140 Dispersed, a camper "did get one bar of cell (cricket) full with 20 foot ant."
Fee variations: While many sites are free, some require payment. At Octonto River-South Branch, "Unless you have the Golden or Access pass, it is $5/day."
Shallow water access: Look for sites with gentle shorelines for children. A camper described Woodbury Lake as having "a sandy beach great for swimming or paddling."
Site selection for space: Larger groups should target specific locations. At McCaslin Brook Dispersed site, "The third site is a deep, large site away from the road facing west... The site is so spacious and could easily be for a large group."
Walk-in options: Some sites require a short hike from parking areas. At Three Johns Lake Dispersed, expect "tents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest."
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate only small campers. At Wolf Lake, a camper mentioned, "I had 8 foot pop up could fit a 20 footer easy or tent camp."
Site configurations: Pay attention to pull-through versus back-in options. At Octonto River - South Branch, "There are 2 campsites at this trailhead, pretty well spaced apart. The first has more of an opening if solar and Starlink matter to you. The second was tucked in the back where the road turns around."
Surface conditions: Some sites have specific parking areas separate from tent pads. At Indian Lake, "It's intended for tents, but a small trailer might fit in the parking area."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Crandon, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Crandon, WI is Woodbury Lake Campsite with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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