Best Tent Camping near Frederic, WI
Tent campgrounds near Frederic, Wisconsin offer a range of primitive and established options primarily in state parks and forests. Straight Lake State Park Campground provides secluded tent-only sites with walk-in access about 10 miles from Frederic, while Governor Knowles State Forest offers remote tent camping experiences along the St. Croix River corridor with multiple backcountry options.
Tent campers should prepare for varying levels of amenities across sites. Straight Lake State Park features fire rings and picnic tables at its 10 private tent sites, but lacks drinking water and modern restrooms. Many walk-in tent sites require carrying gear from parking areas, with Straight Lake providing carts to assist campers. Governor Knowles State Forest's remote camping areas offer true primitive tent camping with no facilities whatsoever, requiring complete self-sufficiency. A visitor commented that "the hike in was not easy. Downed trees over uphill sections, large sections of mud and some overgrown brushy spots."
Areas farther from established campgrounds provide deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking solitude. The Trade River Equestrian Camp in Governor Knowles State Forest offers quiet tent sites with proximity to hiking trails and the river for kayaking. Straight Lake provides access to the Ice Age Trail, making it popular with backpackers and hikers. Sites are generally well-spaced with enough privacy for tent setups, though conditions vary seasonally. Sites near water bodies like Straight Lake tend to have higher mosquito activity during summer months. A recent review noted that "we did not see a single soul out there but us. Now I know why. If you love seclusion and don't mind zero amenities, bugs, mud and brush, go for it! It is a survivalist's dream."