J
Jennifer S.
Scout
ScoutTorch Lake Campground
Truly a Gem!
Private sites, large, forested, near hiking trails and clean bathrooms. Fall colors are spectacular here! Eagle River is close by with charming shops and friendly locals.
Equestrian Camping near Eagle River, WI
3 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Smith Rapids Campground provides horse-friendly camping within Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Eagle River. The campground features vault toilets, water access, and garbage disposal facilities. Sites are medium-sized with moderate separation between neighbors, offering a mix of sun and shade. Some sites curl around a bend providing additional privacy. Riverside sites are available, and the historic covered bridge at the camp entrance serves as a notable landmark. The campground connects to equestrian trails along the river, though trail conditions may vary seasonally with higher vegetation during summer months.
Sailor Lake Campground offers additional horse-friendly accommodations in the Wisconsin northwoods approximately 20 miles from Eagle River. The national forest campground provides access to both ATV trails and non-motorized paths suitable for horseback riding. Most waterside sites accommodate tents, while pull-through sites farther from water work well for horse trailers and larger rigs. Campground amenities include vault toilets serviced daily, drinking water access, and trash collection. The surrounding wooded landscape creates a secluded atmosphere with private sites. Trail access connects riders to multiple recreational opportunities throughout the Chequamegon National Forest trail system.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Eagle River (3)
1. Torch Lake Campground
"Private sites, large, forested, near hiking trails and clean bathrooms. Fall colors are spectacular here! Eagle River is close by with charming shops and friendly locals."
"There are only a few sites and most are drive through. There is a beach on a 39-acre lake. I highly recommend this place! https://www.vilaswi.com/lodging/camping/torch-lake-campground-and-rv-park/"
from $40 - $47 / night
Check Availability2. Sailor Lake NF Campground
"Nestled within Wisconsin forest you find Sailor Lake. This national forest campground has water access as well as sites away from the lake."
"* View ⛺️⛺️⛺️ 3/5 This is one of the lakeside campsites. You can see the lake from the campsite, but its not very close to the shore. The prairie next to our site is quite lovely."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability3. Underdown Campground
"Very ample space except near the water. Multiple small lakes around the area. Can set up camp anywhere but the road really."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 22 min from Wausau, WI
- 2 hrs 30 min from Green Bay, WI
- 2 hrs 39 min from Appleton, WI
- 2 hrs 43 min from Eau Claire, WI
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Eagle River, WI
9 Reviews of 3 Eagle River Campgrounds
Art S.
LegendSailor Lake NF Campground
Spacious sites in the Wisconsin woods
Nestled within Wisconsin forest you find Sailor Lake. This national forest campground has water access as well as sites away from the lake. We stayed at site 12 - a pull through site away from the water.
Many, although not all, of the waterside sites are for tents. You park and carry your gear down a few steps for a close to the water feel. There is an open area for everyone to enjoy the lake - it’s filled with purple flowers today. With plenty of woods around, all sites offer privacy but they have different vibes. Plenty of choice here so look around or reserve one. Plenty of sites available for walk-ins too. A couple of vault toilets, garage receptacle and water source round out a nice camp.
ATV trails as well as non-motorized trails are plentiful. We hiked on them and it was nice. Minimal cell signal encourages disconnecting for your stay.
- Art S.Legend
Smith Rapids Campground - CLOSED 2021
Camp along the river - with horses
This campground is closed for 2021. However we didn’t know beforehand and are glad we checked it out. Right by camp entrance is a historic covered bridge. We weren’t the only o es stopping to see it today.
We walked in to see the campground. Vault toilets, water and garbage are there. It hasn’t been mowed but the sites look medium size but most are well separated from each other. The ones we saw had more sun than shade. If you camp here, keep going around the bend to choose the best site. They curl around with some separation.
This is listed as an equestrian campground so we looked for the trail along the river. We found what looked like a trail but the weeds were high. I’d be interested to see what it looks like when it reopens.
Mary M.
GuideSailor Lake NF Campground
Site 24 Labor Day Weekend
- Kindling ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ 5/5 Kindling was dry and abundant! Good variety of sizes.
- Cooking grate/fire ring ⛺️ 1/5 Only because there IS a grate. Most other sites have better system but this one is broken.
- Hammock trees ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ 4/5 Hung two hammocks at site, could hang more. Trees could be slightly farther apart, but they were sufficient and there were options.
- Privacy ⛺️⛺️⛺️ 3/5 Other campsites were visible from this site (especially 24) and most campsites here are right on the road. 23 and 24 are set back a bit.
- View ⛺️⛺️⛺️ 3/5 This is one of the lakeside campsites. You can see the lake from the campsite, but its not very close to the shore. The prairie next to our site is quite lovely. The moonrise over the lake the first night was incredible.
- Neighbors ⛺️⛺️ 2/5 We expected some noise as this site is on an ATV trail. What we didn’t expect was three hours of chainsawing on Saturday afternoon. Other than a few folks riding by on souped-up golf carts blasting “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the ATV traffic was not an issue.
- Firewood ⛺️⛺️ 2/5 Drove to County Line Gas Station in Minocqua to get firewood, which was pretty far. Almost nothing for firewood closer than that, as far as we could tell. $6 for a large bundle, not bad! Some of the bundles were a bit wet, however.
- Toilets ⛺️⛺️⛺️⛺️ 4/5 Pit toilet cleaned and restocked daily. What more could you ask for?
- Wade W.Guide
Underdown Campground
Great primitive camping
No running water, no bathrooms, no crowded plots. It's as primitive as can be. Very ample space except near the water. Multiple small lakes around the area. Can set up camp anywhere but the road really. As long as the previous campers clean up after themselves is fairly clean and a nice spot to camp. Ice age trail for hiking and good blue gill spot.
Lynette J.GuideTorch Lake Campground
Quiet. Remote. Only a few sites.
This place is fairly new and in excellent condition. It is well maintained. There are only a few sites and most are drive through. There is a beach on a 39-acre lake. I highly recommend this place! https://www.vilaswi.com/lodging/camping/torch-lake-campground-and-rv-park/
- LLarry S.
TravelerTorch Lake Campground
Great Stay
This is a great campground to get away too. Everything was clean and well kept. Host were great.
- LLawrence B.Traveler
Sailor Lake NF Campground
Quiet & Solitude
There are a lot of sites here, but we were essentially alone with only one other party on our loop! Extremely quiet! We saw only one fishing boat during our four night stay.
- Lynette J.Guide
Sailor Lake NF Campground
A little rustic, some like it that way.
If you prefer a little rustic and secluded and don’t mind vault toilets if you don’t have your own, this is a perfect place. It’s very wooded and the sites are private. It offers something for ATVers, horseback riders, anglers and hikers.
Guide to Eagle River
Equestrian camping near Eagle River, Wisconsin provides access to multiple trail systems within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The region features mixed northern hardwood forests with aspen, birch, and maple trees surrounding numerous glacial lakes. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°F, while summer months typically range between 70-85°F with moderate humidity and occasional thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing access: Torch Lake Campground offers a beach on a 39-acre lake ideal for anglers seeking smallmouth bass and panfish. "There is a beach on a 39-acre lake. I highly recommend this place," notes Torch Lake Campground visitor Lynette J.
Trail riding: The Underdown area provides extensive primitive trails connecting multiple small lakes. "Multiple small lakes around the area. Can set up camp anywhere but the road really. Ice age trail for hiking and good blue gill spot," reports Underdown Campground camper Wade W.
Seasonal exploration: Fall visitors experience vibrant foliage throughout the northwoods. "Fall colors are spectacular here! Eagle River is close by with charming shops and friendly locals," explains Jennifer S. from Torch Lake Campground.
What campers like
Private spacing: Sites at Sailor Lake offer substantial separation between neighbors. "It's very wooded and the sites are private. It offers something for ATVers, horseback riders, anglers and hikers," reports Lynette J. about Sailor Lake NF Campground.
Campsite selection: The lake-access sites vary significantly from inland options. "Many, although not all, of the waterside sites are for tents. You park and carry your gear down a few steps for a close to the water feel," explains Art S. from Sailor Lake NF Campground.
Maintenance quality: Facilities receive regular attention despite remote locations. "This place is fairly new and in excellent condition. It is well maintained. There are only a few sites and most are drive through," notes Lynette J. about Torch Lake Campground.
What you should know
Primitive options: Some locations lack standard amenities. "No running water, no bathrooms, no crowded plots. It's as primitive as can be. Very ample space except near the water," explains Wade W. about Underdown Campground.
Toilet facilities: Most northwoods campgrounds use vault systems. "Pit toilet cleaned and restocked daily. What more could you ask for?" notes Mary M. from Sailor Lake NF Campground.
Seasonal operations: Most facilities close by late October. Sailor Lake operates "April 29 to October 31" while Torch Lake runs "Apr 1 - Oct 31" according to forest service schedules.
Tips for camping with families
Firewood planning: Sources vary by location with limited availability. "Drove to County Line Gas Station in Minocqua to get firewood, which was pretty far. Almost nothing for firewood closer than that, as far as we could tell. $6 for a large bundle, not bad!" advises Mary M. from Sailor Lake.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity diminishes significantly in forest areas. "Minimal cell signal encourages disconnecting for your stay," notes Art S. from Sailor Lake NF Campground.
Weather preparation: Spring and fall camping requires extra layers for temperature swings of 30°F between day and night.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for trailers: Pull-through options accommodate larger rigs away from water. "We stayed at site 12 - a pull through site away from the water," explains Art S. from Sailor Lake NF Campground.
Hookup availability: Most forest service sites offer limited or no utility connections. Check campground listings for specific amenities as they vary between locations.
Campground occupancy: Off-season visits often mean greater solitude. "There are a lot of sites here, but we were essentially alone with only one other party on our loop! Extremely quiet!" reports Lawrence B. about Sailor Lake NF Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Eagle River, WI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Eagle River, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Eagle River, WI is Torch Lake Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Eagle River, WI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Eagle River, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Eagle River, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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