The Land o Lakes area of northern Wisconsin features extensive old-growth forests surrounding pristine lakes at elevations averaging 1,700 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with cooler nights even during peak season. The region contains a significant concentration of natural lakes formed by glacial activity, creating numerous waterfront camping opportunities.
What to do
Paddle the Wisconsin River: Borderline RV Park offers direct access to the Wisconsin River. "A boat ramp into the Wisconsin River for canoes/kayaks is just across 45," notes Susan T., who stays seasonally from April through October.
Hike through old-growth forest: Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping features hiking trails through pristine forest. "A lovely area with a good balance of open space and tree cover. Nearby Clark Lake is very pretty, good for swimming, and serves as the primary water source," reports Danielle A.
Photograph waterfalls: Visit Bond Falls Campground, which offers access to spectacular waterfalls. "The falls are very pretty and worth checking out... The damn here has enhanced the natural waterfall here and is one of he main attractions," writes Bruce B. The falls area features accessible viewing platforms.
Wildlife observation: The lakes host diverse wildlife. "We saw decent sized fish in Franklin lake... Loons are always on the lake. The water is crystal clear," shares Selah S. from Franklin Lake Campground.
What campers like
Crystal clear water: Many campers mention water quality in the region. At Franklin Lake, "The water is crystal clear and there's a beach that can be used if you don't have a lake site," reports Hannah I., whose family has visited for decades.
Private waterfront sites: Campers appreciate lakefront access. "Several sites on the water and all very big, with lots of space and privacy! It's a quiet campground, I've never seen more than 6 sites full!" writes Lisa A. about Marion Lake Campground.
Night sky viewing: With minimal light pollution, stargazing is exceptional. "The stars at night are some of the best I've seen with so little light pollution up there," notes Selah S. from Franklin Lake.
Fall colors: Several campers recommend visiting during autumn. "We camped here in October, the last week the National Forest was open. It seemed that we had 10,000 acres to ourselves," writes Juliana about Franklin Lake, while Jennifer S. notes "Fall colors are spectacular here!" at Torch Lake Campground.
What you should know
Insect considerations: Mosquitoes and flies can be intense, particularly in early summer. "The mosquitoes and flies were pretty bad... Mosquitoes and flies were so bad that our dogs faces were getting bloody and bug spray and a fire did nothing for us," warns Nathan W. about Bond Falls Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely by location. "Cell service is awful, you can get service sort of by the lake depending on your provider, but don't count on it," reports Hannah I. about Franklin Lake, while at Lac Vieux Desert, Thomas V. notes "One bar T-mobile enough for calls but no data."
Bear awareness: Wildlife precautions are necessary. "Bear and Wolf precautions, please," advises Juliana about Sylvania Clark Lake Campground, while Ann M. mentions, "We rented our canoe and a bear barrel from the Sylvania Outfitters" for backcountry camping.
Water sources: Potable water availability varies. "There's well water pumps throughout the campground but it's not good for drinking," notes Hannah I. about Franklin Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Small pan fish make fishing accessible for children. At Marion Lake Campground, Lisa A. mentions "Good fishing and lots of pan fish to make fishing fun for the kids!"
Nature exploration opportunities: Natural features engage young visitors. At Sylvania Clark Lake Campground, Tawni W. notes "The moss-covered old growth forest provided an excellent tent site & entertained our 2 boys under 8 until they tired."
Campground amenities for children: Some campgrounds offer dedicated facilities. "There is a good mix of open and wooded sites... They have a nice walking trail on the property, in addition to a bunch of activities geared toward the kids," writes Garrett O. about Hi-Pines Campground.
Beach access: Sandy shores provide safe swimming. Kay K. shares about Franklin Lake: "Private sites, great beach, beautiful buildings built by the CCC... The best swimming is on a sandbar directly across from the beach."
Tips from RVers
Site considerations: RV sites vary in size and shade. At Hi-Pines Campground, Amanda D. notes "The site was full sun which got hot. There were shaded sites, but we couldn't get sites together in the woods."
Seasonal options: Some campgrounds accommodate longer stays. Coosa B. shares about Borderline RV Park: "Excellent for adults, fishing base camp, we stayed there May - Sept 2022 and loved it!"
Electric hookup availability: Hookups are increasingly available at Forest Service sites. Andrew D. mentions that at Franklin Lake, "They just added electric hook up to some sites in the South End. Right now the price is the same for electric or non-electric sites."
Laundry planning: Facility usage patterns affect availability. "Do not plan on doing laundry on a Monday. The personnel use all the machines to wash linens and towels from the cabins after folks check out," advises Brenda A. about Hi-Pines Campground.
