The Seeley Pass area surrounding Iron River, Wisconsin sits in Bayfield County at approximately 1,220 feet of elevation. Winter temperatures can drop well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, while summer brings highs around 80 degrees with frequent rain. Camping options range from basic tent sites to premium glamping cabins with trail access to the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association (CAMBA) system.
What to do
Paddle clear lakes: Several clear lakes near Apostle Islands Area RV park and Camping offer excellent paddling. "This is the best base camp for exploring the Apostle islands. It's about a mile from Bayfield. There is bike rental at Howl bike shop which is walking distance," notes Leah Z.
Explore hiking trails: The area contains multiple trail networks through pine forests. At Boise Brule Campground, visitors find "Lovely but small" conditions as Jules L. reports: "We did a little hiking. Trails are good and well marked. Looked like folks were enjoying the fishing too."
Try mountain biking: The region is known for exceptional mountain biking trails. A visitor at Spirit Mountain Campground explains, "We went up there to do the Heck of the North Gravel ride on a Saturday and then ride Spirit on Sunday. The best part was being able to bike down the trails right from the campground!"
What campers like
Proximity to water: Most campgrounds provide water access for fishing or swimming. Jane B. mentions that Boise Brule Campground sits "right on a bend of the Brule River. a Beautiful trout stream with canoeing and kayaking popular sports. Rentals about 1 mi. away in Brule with reasonable prices."
Quiet atmosphere: Remote locations offer peaceful camping experiences. Zack H. appreciated his experience at Boise Brule: "We had a walk in site here. There was another walk site somewhat near us but they were very quiet. It was a nice wooded spot and a nice base camp for our nearby exploring."
Trail connections: Direct access to trail networks appeals to active campers. A reviewer at Hayward KOA found "Awesome amenities, challenge for bigger rigs" noting: "Love all this campsite has to offer with amenities! Beautiful area as well. But there are alot of trees that make it very challenging for larger rigs."
What you should know
Tick prevalence: The area has heavy tick populations during warmer months. At Boise Brule Campground, Zachary G. warns: "Solid hiking trail and good campsites. The biggest issue however was ticks. Been an outdoor person my whole life and more ticks than I've ever seen before. Pulling 10 or more off an hour."
Seasonal pricing variations: Costs can vary significantly based on residency status. Laura M. observed at Boise Brule: "Cost for non-residents is $21 for the campsite and another $11 daily state park entrance fee. So, $32 for the same type of campground as a USFS at about $15."
Limited facilities: Many smaller campgrounds offer minimal amenities. At Wanoka Lake Campground, Matt S. notes: "This is your typical National Forest campground. Very few amenities, a small lake, and a few hiking trails. The positives is it is easy to find, it is right off of the highway."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. At Hayward KOA, Nate C. recommends: "Great place to let the kids go run off and play while the parents relax under the awning while grilling. Large 9ft heated pool, mini golf, large playground, horse shoes, volleyball, nice size water slide, covered stage for music, ice cream shop, huge jump pillow."
Swimming options: Lake access provides natural swimming opportunities. Al J. suggests Wanoka Lake has "a nice little trout pond and is a good place to teach the younger kids fishing skills. It is however not ideal for young ones who like to play as there is no playground."
Site selection: Choose larger sites when camping with children. Visitors to Apostle Islands Area Campground appreciate that "Sites are big and well maintained" according to Scott B., who adds: "Well maintained and clean campground. The bathroom are spotless."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Several campgrounds have restrictions for larger rigs. Nick & Allyssa S. note about Apostle Islands Area Campground: "Park is located on the side of a hill—Spots are small but level, roads are all at a slope. Not a great campground for kiddos to ride their bikes, and not super fun to walk uphill in every direction."
Hookup availability: Not all sites offer full hookups, so check before booking glamping close to Iron River, Wisconsin. Laura M. found at Wanoka Lake Campground: "There is potable water at the campground (per note at spigot water is safe to drink but will leave rust residue). Vault toilets here as well."
Leveling challenges: The hilly terrain can make leveling difficult. According to Laura M., at Wanoka Lake "Some sites are pull through. A few are level, but most would be difficult for us to get level enough to be comfortable. Not sure of the length limit here but we had no problems in our 26ft class c."
