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Best Tent Camping near Land o Lakes, WI

445 Reviews

The western Upper Peninsula borderlands near Land o Lakes, Wisconsin offer several secluded tent camping options within the Ottawa National Forest and surrounding wilderness areas. Three Johns Lake Dispersed Camping provides free tent-only sites accessible via a short walk-in trail, while nearby Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping features remote lakeside tent sites with more developed facilities. Tent campers can also find established sites at Stevens Lake Campground in the Chequamegon National Forest, approximately 20 miles southwest of Land o Lakes.

Most tent sites in this region feature minimal improvements beyond fire rings and occasionally picnic tables. Walk-in tent sites typically require carrying gear a short distance from parking areas, with trails ranging from well-marked to primitive. Several campgrounds maintain vault toilets, though drinking water access varies significantly. Campers should plan to bring sufficient water or water treatment systems, particularly at dispersed sites. Heavy snow can make early spring access difficult, while summer brings significant insect pressure. One visitor to Burned Dam Campground noted, "Beautiful, quiet, free campgrounds right next to the Ontonagon River and Mex-i-mine Falls. Only real minus: BUGS. This campground was FULL of mosquitos and biting flies."

The tent camping experience in this region offers exceptional seclusion and natural settings. Walk-in tent sites at locations like Perch Lake Campground provide privacy despite relatively short hiking distances. According to a camper at Perch Lake, "The hike to these sites is very short. The sites still feel very secluded and private." Many tent-only areas feature direct access to lakes, rivers, and hiking trails, with opportunities for paddling and fishing directly from campsites. Pine and mixed hardwood forests dominate the landscape, providing shade at most sites and natural sound barriers between camping areas. Wildlife sightings, including deer and various bird species, are common throughout the region's primitive tent campgrounds.

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Best Tent Sites Near Land o Lakes, Wisconsin (25)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Land o Lakes, WI

24 Photos of 25 Land o Lakes Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Land o Lakes, WI

445 Reviews of 25 Land o Lakes Campgrounds

  • Stephanie F.
    Jul. 3, 2017

    North Trout Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Fewer amenities, but great trade-off

    We arrived on a Thursday and were able to snag one of the much-coveted lakeside sites for a private view of the sunset. Sites were level and clean and it never got busy for the weekend, which is just the way I like it. Although there are tons of other state campgrounds nearby with more amenities, I would gladly trade all of that for the no-electric, vault toilet, water pump solitude of North Trout Lake. The campground has a nature trail and is also located on a paved bike path that runs between nearby towns and connects to the other camping areas.

    Amenities: nice/clean vault toilets, water from pump tastes fantastic, swimming beach, firewood for sale onsite, no electric, no showers.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2024

    Bates Township Park

    Motorcycle camping

    Great find. Sunday night beginning of June. Only camper in the tent section. Quiet spot with good hosts. Close to the lake. Grass and gravel. Restroom share with the park/boat launch area. I would definitely stay here again. If there was a drawback would be sites have some slope toward lake. Being only one there I found flat spot to tent but if busy choice might be limited. No control over weather but woke up and had to pack up in the rain. Definitely check it out! Thanks to the Hosts!

  • Andrew D.
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Franklin Lake

    Great campsite

    Stayed one night on  a Sunday.  Mostly empty but you can see it is heavily booked for the Fourth of July weekend. 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.

    Sites are large and decent spacing between sites.  Heavy tree cover with mostly shade.

    The site was mostly gravel with nice fire ring and picnic table.

  • Hilary S.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    Beautiful at peak fall color!

    I did a 3 day/2 night hike during peak color, starting at the Lake Superior Trailhead. I was warned the Lake Superior trail was muddy when I checked in, and the ranger was not joking - I was grateful to have trekking poles to help balance on logs, branches, roots and rocks to try to keep my boots as dry as possible in the parts of the trail that were submerged. 

    Campsite LS-14 had a lovely location on the lake, but was very muddy/previously submerged with water. It immediately abuts site LS-13. There was a wooden platform to put my tent on, but I had to bolster the corners so that it was big enough for my tent poles to have something to rest on. If I had gotten in before dark, I might have seen the small area near the trail side of the site that had higher, dryer ground. There is supposed to be a bear pole for these sites, but the group at the other site said there wasn't one. In hindsight, I think there probably was, away from the campsites, but since I had a canister, I didn't go looking for it after dark. The Lake Superior trail continued to be muddy until you got close to the Big Carp River mouth.

    Campsite BC-8 was a big upgrade - very large site, a little patch of open sky over the fire pit, easy access to the river for water. The big trees provided good shelter from a minor storm and high winds overnight. This site is right alongside the trail, but separated from the cabin and next site by a good distance. The hike out from here up the Big Carp River trail to Lake of the Clouds is a somewhat longer trek with a bit of elevation gain, but nothing too intense in my opinion.

  • Danielle A.
    Sep. 27, 2016

    Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

    Lovely, covered backcountry sites

    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. The area is covered in soft pine duff but finding a truly flat spot free of any small mounds of moss or decayed nurse logs can be a challenge.

  • Samantha W.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Sturgeon River Campground

    Great Rustic Campground

    This campground is located just off the Sturgeon River in the Ottawa National Forest and is first come first serve with no reservations. From speaking with a local who frequents the campground, it is usually quiet with few sites actually in use at a time; it seems this year (2020) there have been more people out camping, though, so getting there earlier is better to ensure finding a site. 

    It is rustic -- there is no water pump, but there are pit toilets in the center of the site. If you don't bring enough water the river next to most sites can provide drinking water with the proper filtration. The national park website says there are 9 sites, but only 7 are actually available. My best guess is the MIA sites existed in the central part at one time. 

    Two sites can fit a camper, but they also happen to be the sites with the best view of the river. The remaining sites are tent-only due to a set of rocks blocking off the sites so vehicles do not drive in. From what I could tell with observations, 4 or 5 sites are either right on the river or have a short trail to get to the river.

    The locations are sparse enough that the only thing really heard from other campers is the occasional shutting of a car door. The soft sound of the river drowns most noises out. Each site has a fire ring, most have a grate on the ring, a lantern hook, and a picnic table.

  • Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Sturgeon River Campground

    Remote and beautiful

    The Sturgeon River is wide and beautiful. Just imagine sitting next to the rippling water. The road there is down some dirt roads with some bumps but it’s drivable.

    The small rustic campground doesn’t have all the frills so this is for the rustic campers. The sites vary but there is shade to be found. We enjoyed the seclusion of this forest campground.

    On the way to camp you pass a trailhead. Head back for a hike. This is in the Sturgeon River wilderness so take care to leave no trace that you were here.

  • L
    Sep. 24, 2024

    North Trout Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Nice State Campground

    You get a relatively flat site, fire ring, a picnic table, hand pump for water and vault toilets along with a beautiful clear water lake. There's a boat launch and firewood for sale. Reservations need to be made and paid online even if your fcfs. Cell phone and data are okay. There is tire noise from Highway M.

    Very few folks around in September!

    Honeymooned here in 1975. The location on the lake is beautiful. We camped here many times over the years. In tents, VW campers, trailers until about 20 years ago. Got a Sprinter RV this year and we're camped here now.

  • Carrie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2017

    Lac Vieux Desert

    Nice place near a historic lake

    Nice campground with all the basics of a National Forest Campground. The sites offer each site a fair amount of privacy. They are all suitable for trailers and tent camping as they provide a level tent pad in each site.

    I'm only giving 4 stars because the campground is about a mile from the lake. However, the distance from the water does help with the mosquitoes.

    Fire rings have grills, and there are wooden picnic tables.

    Lac Vieux Desert is a big and beautiful lake with excellent fishing! Although we didn't do great, others did. This is the headwaters of the Wisconsin River.

Guide to Land o Lakes

Tent camping near Land o Lakes, Wisconsin offers secluded sites within Ottawa National Forest and surrounding wilderness areas. The region sits at approximately 1,700 feet elevation in the western Upper Peninsula, characterized by dense northern hardwood forests and numerous glacial lakes. Winter conditions can persist into May, with dirt access roads often remaining muddy through early June.

What to do

Paddling access points: Three Johns Lake Dispersed Camping provides a single tent site accessible via a short walk from the parking area. According to a camper, "Tents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest."

Wildlife viewing: The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Backcountry Site features exceptional fishing opportunities and hiking access. A visitor noted, "This is a huge campsite on a dead end road. The parking area is huge so one could fit a trailer or pop up there. There is a sandy beach on a small lake full of fish. The Sam Cambell trail is right next door, it's a nice walk to another tiny lake."

Waterfall exploration: Paint River Forks Campground offers free sites adjacent to the river. A camper commented, "5 or so campsites. Clean out house right on river. Just a mile or so down the dirt road."

What campers like

Lake access: Stevens Lake Campground provides classic Wisconsin lakefront tent camping with basic amenities. One visitor shared, "We rolled in at dark and were enchanted by trees, falling leaves and mystic lake. There aren't many spots, but they all quintessential WI. Free water is available via a hand pump."

Canoe camping options: Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping offers water-based camping without difficult portages. A camper explained, "Loved my first experience at canoe camping. We did it the easy way, loaded our canoe, crossed the lake to our campsite and set up camp. No portaging with our gear."

Dark night skies: Boulder Junction campground provides electric hookups while maintaining a natural setting. A camper reported, "We had such a wonderful week. We enjoyed being with family and good food. It was nice taking a breath and enjoying god's beauty. We were lucky enough to see a white deer."

What you should know

Insect conditions: Biting insects remain prevalent throughout summer months, particularly near water sources. A visitor to Paint River Forks noted, "I love it here! However, as the camper above mentioned, probably not a safe place for anyone that is alone. It is free and therefore attracts vagrants. Cell service is 1/10. But it is beautiful and clean."

Campsite spacing concerns: Many backcountry sites appear secluded on maps but can be surprisingly close to neighboring campsites. A Sylvania Wilderness camper stated, "Problem was we ended up being 20 yards away from the next site... which was clearly visible through the clear old growth forest. Most sites in Sylvania are 2 sites very near to each other."

Seasonal road conditions: Forest service roads range from well-maintained to primitive, with conditions deteriorating after rainfall. Some campgrounds have restricted vehicle access despite appearing open on maps.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection strategies: When camping with children, prioritize sites with direct water access and natural boundaries. At Boulder Junction, one family noted their camping experience included "exploring in the woods and getting lost! Good thing we had Lucas to guide us towards the river."

Day trip options: Plan excursions to nearby attractions when insect pressure becomes intense at camp. A visitor mentioned, "We had an adventure at the porcupine mountains. The weather was a bit cold on Lake Superior and our picnic was ruined. However we had a great laugh making sandwiches in the car in a middle of a rain storm."

Bug protection essentials: Pack multiple insect repellent options and protective clothing, particularly for evening hours. Screen shelters provide essential refuge at most sites during peak mosquito season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Land o Lakes, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Land o Lakes, WI is Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Land o Lakes, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Land o Lakes, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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