Dispersed camping near Deerbrook, Wisconsin primarily centers around several free sites on public land throughout the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Primitive campsites can be found along lakeshores, riverbanks, and forest roads within a 30-mile radius of Deerbrook. Horn Lake Camping offers two established dispersed sites with fire rings at a boat landing, while additional options include spots along Mountain Lakes Road, McCaslin Brook, and the Oconto River. Most sites feature minimal or no amenities, characteristic of true dispersed camping. Several lakes including Wolf Lake, Woodbury Lake, Three Johns Lake, and McKinley Lake host individual primitive campsites on their shores.
Access roads to many sites require careful navigation, with several campers reporting rough conditions. The road to Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road particularly demands high-clearance vehicles, with one reviewer noting "4x4 recommended. 2wd truck couldn't make it easily." McCaslin Brook sites have washed-out entrances with "a large drop from paved road." Most dispersed sites accommodate tents and small trailers under 20 feet, though a few can handle slightly larger rigs. Fire rings are present at most locations, but campers should verify current fire restrictions before visiting. The National Forest sites typically charge a $5 daily fee unless visitors have applicable passes.
These remote camping areas provide quiet experiences with natural amenities like lakes and streams. "Very cool spot right on the river. In ground fire pit. Decent amount of off-road vehicle traffic. No service," noted one visitor about the Oconto River site. Water access is a highlight for many locations, with Woodbury Lake offering "a sandy beach great for swimming or paddling." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at several sites, with one camper mentioning Wolf Lake "belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach." Cell service varies significantly across sites, with many areas having limited or no coverage. The relatively small sites ensure privacy, though they fill quickly during peak summer months, especially those with water access.
"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.""We camped here in May not much for skeeters, good sites on the lake with a fire pit on a dead end road with a boat landing."
"Dirt road was fine for our older 29’ rv"
"Stayed two nights, and the first night was almost absolutely silent other than the waterfall (difficult to access) about a mile away. The campsite is right along a deep, and steadily moving stream."
"Decent amount of off-road vehicle traffic. No service :)"
"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."
"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."
"Small pull off little ways off 64 on mountain lakes Rd. Pick nik table and fire ring. Big site for ATV campers right off trail can probably get toy hauler in here easy."
"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."
"Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest."
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.
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.
GuideThere are three pull-in areas, with picnic tables and fire rings just off the road. Two *may* be large enough to handle more than 1 small rig/tent/popup. They are shaded and right by the creek, which gurgled along happily (and had some bugs in mid-August, but that was to be expected).
We ultimately decided not to stay here simply because it was so shaded. While that made it nice and cool, it made solar & Starlink impossible.
There was no AT&T to speak of, but TMobile had 20 down/1 up.
Dispersed camping around Deerbrook, Wisconsin centers on public lands within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, where elevations range from 1,500 to 1,800 feet. The area features a mix of northern hardwood forests and glacial lakes, with summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season. Most accessible sites open after mid-May when forest roads dry out sufficiently for vehicle travel.
Fishing opportunities: At Horn Lake Camping, campers can access the lake directly from their site. "A great 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," notes Skip H.
Swimming access: Woodbury Lake Campsite offers excellent water activities during summer months. One visitor notes, "This remote site has a sandy beach great for swimming or paddling. There is space for a trailer."
Wildlife watching: Enjoy observing local fauna at quiet lakeside sites. Kay K. reports from Wolf Lake Campsite: "I love this campsite. 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."
Affordability: Most sites require only the standard National Forest fee. Rebecca B. explains about Octonto River - South Branch: "Peace for $5. There are 2 campsites at this trailhead, pretty well spaced apart. Unless you have the Golden or Access pass, it is $5/day."
Site spacing: Campers appreciate the privacy between sites. Regarding Horn Lake Camping, Jay S. notes: "A 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."
Remote setting: The quiet atmosphere appeals to many visitors. Jarrett G. comments about free camping near Deerbrook: "As a primitive camper who hates paying to sleep on the ground somewhere, this is my new favorite spot. Two sites, fire rings, no bathroom, water, electric."
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires navigating unpaved forest roads. At McCaslin Brook Dispersed site, Robyn B. warns: "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."
Toilet facilities: Vault toilets are present at some locations but not all. Rebecca B. notes about McCaslin Brook: "There are three pull-in areas, with picnic tables and fire rings just off the road. Two may be large enough to handle more than 1 small rig/tent/popup."
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies widely across sites. Zachary S. reports from Oconto River: "Loved this spot. Stayed two nights, and the first night was almost absolutely silent other than the waterfall (difficult to access) about a mile away. AT&T: No Service." TMobile users may find limited connectivity at some locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Deerbrook, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Deerbrook, WI is Horn Lake Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Deerbrook, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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