Best Dispersed Camping near Marion, WI

Dispersed camping opportunities near Marion, Wisconsin include several primitive sites along waterways in the Nicolet National Forest. The Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road features two campsites with basic amenities situated along a deep, steadily flowing stream. McCaslin Brook Dispersed site contains three distinct camping areas with varying sizes and accessibility. Mountain Lakes Road Dispersed provides rustic camping with picnic tables and fire rings suitable for tent campers and ATV users.

Vehicle access varies significantly between sites. The Oconto River campsites require careful navigation, with several campers reporting challenging entrances. According to reviews, "4x4 is recommended" as "2WD trucks couldn't make it easily." McCaslin Brook sites have washed-out entrances with "a large drop from the paved road." The third site at McCaslin Brook is spacious but has a particularly difficult approach that has caused vehicles to bottom out. No drinking water is available at any of these locations; visitors must bring all necessary supplies.

Most sites permit fires in established rings and allow pets. McCaslin Brook sites cost $5 per night, payable at Wheeler Walker Beach, and include amenities such as tables, fire pits, and primitive toilet facilities. The sites accommodate different vehicle types, with some suitable only for tents while others can handle small to medium RVs. Campers report that the middle site at McCaslin Brook offers the best water access. Cell service is generally unavailable throughout the area, particularly at the Oconto River sites. Visitors should prepare for complete disconnection and bring appropriate navigation tools.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Marion, Wisconsin (6)

    1. Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road

    4 Reviews
    Mountain, WI
    36 miles

    "Stayed two nights, and the first night was almost absolutely silent other than the waterfall (difficult to access) about a mile away. The campsite is right along a deep, and steadily moving stream."

    "Decent amount of off-road vehicle traffic. No service :)"

    2. McCaslin Brook Dispersed site

    5 Reviews
    Lakewood, WI
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 362-1300

    "Entrances need a lot of TLC washed out and large drop from paved road. Middle camp site has best access to brook I put a 8 foot pop up in it you could go bigger 20 foot max."

    "The first site, east side, is a pull in right off the road with the pit and table a few steps down from the parking pad. The second site is a pull through facing west right off the road."

    3. Mountain Lakes Rd Dispersed

    1 Review
    Mountain, WI
    40 miles

    "Small pull off little ways off 64 on mountain lakes Rd. Pick nik table and fire ring. Big site for ATV campers right off trail can probably get toy hauler in here easy."

    4. Octonto River - South Branch

    1 Review
    Townsend, WI
    41 miles

    "There are 2 campsites at this trailhead, pretty well spaced apart. 

    The first has more of an opening if solar and Starlink matter to you."

    5. pioneer park

    1 Review
    Oconto Falls, WI
    43 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Marion, WI

2 Photos of 6 Marion Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Marion, WI

10 Reviews of 6 Marion Campgrounds


  • hesselinkj@yahoo.com
    Aug. 22, 2024

    McCaslin Brook Dispersed site

    Nice sites along brook

    There are three sites two small one large site which you can fit larger camper or RV in. Entrances need a lot of TLC washed out and large drop from paved road. Middle camp site has best access to brook I put a 8 foot pop up in it you could go bigger 20 foot max. One site I would say is tent only very tight. Wilderness toilet but they look pretty full.

  • Robyn B.
    Jun. 14, 2025

    McCaslin Brook Dispersed site

    Hidden little gem by the brooke

    There are 3 sites each with a table, fire pit, a toilet pit and right off the brooke. The cost is $5 a night to be paid at Wheeler Walker Beach. The first site, east side, is a pull in right off the road with the pit and table a few steps down from the parking pad. The second site is a pull through facing west right off the road. The easements were a little washed out. The third site is a deep, large site away from the road facing west, with a bad easement. There was some occasional traffic on the main road and a quite a few UTVs.

    No one else was here so we chose the third site away from the road. The only con we found to this site was the easement was really washed out and we bottomed our minivan coming in but were able to leave going out on the far right edge. The site is so spacious and could easily be for a large group.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    McCaslin Brook Dispersed site

    Shady, Creek-Side, $5 Fee

    There are three pull-in areas, with picnic tables and fire rings just off the road. Two *may* be large enough to handle more than 1 small rig/tent/popup. They are shaded and right by the creek, which gurgled along happily (and had some bugs in mid-August, but that was to be expected).

    We ultimately decided not to stay here simply because it was so shaded. While that made it nice and cool, it made solar & Starlink impossible. 

    There was no AT&T to speak of, but TMobile had 20 down/1 up.

  • hesselinkj@yahoo.com
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Mountain Lakes Rd Dispersed

    Rustic camping

    Small pull off little ways off 64 on mountain lakes Rd. Pick nik table and fire ring. Big site for ATV campers right off trail can probably get toy hauler in here easy.

  • Zachary S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2023

    Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road

    Quaint and quiet. (Two campsites, dispersed from each other)

    Loved this spot. Stayed two nights, and the first night was almost absolutely silent other than the waterfall (difficult to access) about a mile away. The campsite is right along a deep, and steadily moving stream. Water is very cold, and flows from an aquifer upstream.

    There is an outdoor toilet, and I've attempted to point it out in the pictures.

    The entrance was doable for my sedan, but was tricky. I believe a camper could make it going slowly. The second campsite entrance may have an easier time in.

    Do not follow road past campsites, either way unless your vehicle is lifted my sedan would have gotten stuck if I tried.

    Both campsites are accessed from the main road and have a brown "campsite" sign.

    AT&T: No Service.

  • C
    Mar. 22, 2024

    McCaslin Brook Dispersed site

    Easy access near town

    The McCauslin Brook runs through Townsend and Lakewood. There are a total of 3 sites in this location and all are on the Brook.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2024

    Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road

    Very cool spot

    Very cool spot right on the river. In ground fire pit. Decent amount of off-road vehicle traffic. No service :)

  • hesselinkj@yahoo.com
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road

    River off mountain lakes Rd

    Small site little rough to get into a lot of trash left. Short path to river this is a two site spot good distance between them.


Guide to Marion

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Marion, Wisconsin, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the hustle and bustle. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you'll enjoy the tranquility and adventure that comes with camping in the great outdoors.

Scenic River Access for Dispersed Campers

Thrilling Off-Roading Activities While Free Camping Near Marion

  • If you're an off-road enthusiast, the Mountain Lakes Rd Dispersed area is conveniently located near ATV trails, making it an ideal spot for adventurous campers.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Marion, Wisconsin

  • When visiting the McCaslin Brook Dispersed site, be prepared for some rough entrances, as the access roads may require a vehicle with good clearance, especially after rain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Marion, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Marion, WI is Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road with a 3.5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Marion, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Marion, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.