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Best Tent Camping near Minocqua, WI

354 Reviews

The Minocqua area in northern Wisconsin offers several tent-specific camping options within the surrounding forests and waterways. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest provides free backcountry tent sites with minimal development, while Wabasso Lake Recreation Area features walk-in tent sites alongside a scenic lake. Three Johns Lake Dispersed area offers a free primitive camping experience about 25 miles east of Minocqua. The Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, though slightly farther at 40 miles northeast, provides boat-in tent camping across numerous islands.

Most tent campsites in the region are rustic with limited amenities. Pit toilets are common at established sites like Wabasso Lake, but dispersed areas may have no facilities whatsoever. Fire rings are typically provided at designated sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Drinking water is rarely available - campers should plan to filter from lakes or bring their own supply. Several areas, including Wabasso Lake and Three Johns Lake, feature walk-in tent sites requiring short hikes from parking areas. A visitor commented that Three Johns Lake has a "short walk to campsite, only one on lake" and requires a $5 national forest parking fee.

Tent campers in the Minocqua region often enjoy considerable privacy and natural settings not available at developed campgrounds. Forest cover provides good shade at most sites, with mixed pine and hardwood canopies offering shelter from sun and light rain. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, the Turtle Flambeau Flowage offers "a huge campsite on a dead end road" with "a sandy beach on a small lake full of fish." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer, eagles, and smaller forest creatures frequently spotted near campsites. Most tent camping areas remain relatively quiet on weekdays, though holiday weekends can bring increased activity, particularly at water-accessible sites. Early fall offers some of the best tent camping conditions, with fewer insects and vibrant foliage enhancing the experience.

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Best Tent Sites Near Minocqua, Wisconsin (19)

    1. Wabasso Lake Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Lac du Flambeau, WI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 762-2461

    "The campgrounds here have a fire ring and table, and plenty of room to set up in. The lake is gorgeous and swimmable. The only amenities are a vault toilet and water."

    "There are only walk-in tent sites here. We missed that before we headed here so we needed to look elsewhere. There are other campgrounds just a few miles away."

    2. Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area

    6 Reviews
    Mercer, WI
    23 miles
    Website

    "The Turtle Flambeau Flowage is dubbed the "Boundary Waters of Wisconsin" and for good reason! The quality of the waters, vast array of channels, islands and camping spots is simply amazing."

    "It is a larger site with the addition of a picnic table"

    3. Newman Lake Shelter

    1 Review
    Chequamegon-Nicolet NF, WI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 762-2461

    $25 / night

    4. Moen Lake Campground & RV Park

    1 Review
    Rhinelander, WI
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (262) 893-2540

    "If you want a quiet, secluded campground where you can just sit back and enjoy being out in the woods(we had deer walk through the back of our campsite at night), then you will enjoy this campground."

    5. Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

    4 Reviews
    Watersmeet, MI
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 358-4724

    $15 / night

    "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."

    "We did it the easy way, loaded our canoe, crossed the lake to our campsite and set up camp. No portaging with our gear."

    6. Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Backcountry Site

    1 Review
    Hiles, WI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 479-2827

    "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."

    7. Boulder Junction

    2 Reviews
    Eagle River, WI
    35 miles
    Website

    "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."

    8. Three Johns Lake Dispersed

    1 Review
    Three Lakes, WI
    35 miles

    "Tents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest."

    9. Sevenmile Lake

    1 Review
    Three Lakes, WI
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 479-6407

    10. Burned Dam Campground

    3 Reviews
    Watersmeet, MI
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 358-4724

    "We did look around and it’s a decent place.

    A couple sites are large enough for a small camper and screen room. Others will only fit a tent. There is a vault toilet but no water or garbage."

    "Beautiful, quiet, free campgrounds right next to the Ontonagon River and Mex-i-mine Falls (you can hear the rushing water)."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Minocqua, WI

17 Photos of 19 Minocqua Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Minocqua, WI

354 Reviews of 19 Minocqua 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Jay W.
    Jul. 18, 2018

    North Trout Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Great Location for Biking and Camping

    Nice campground situated in Northern Wisconsin in the North Highland American Legion State Forest. Over 900 lakes and 225,000 acres. As you will read from my other reviews of campgrounds in this area, this is the place to be if you love camping, fishing or bicycling. This is the bicycle trail capital in the State of Wisconsin for sure! There are paved bicycle trails connecting every campground and every town. There are nature trails everywhere that vary in length. North Trout Lake is a nice lake to swim in an can get pretty wavy with good winds, swim at your own risk, the beach is Sandy but turns to rock the further you go in. This campground offers some awesome walk-in campsites situated in front of the water near the beach. There are also numerous standard sites that sit on the water but it can be tough to get one during peak season. This campground also offers good size camp sites with plenty of room to set up. . There are no showers or flush toilets at this location but the restrooms were clean and there are plenty of water pumps for fresh water. If you can live with the minimum this campground is nice. This campground is about and 18 min drive. Northeast from the tourist town of Minaqua and 7 minutes drive from Bolder Junction, another tourist town that is located just East. Bicycle trails lead you to either direction. Both towns have convinces of dining, services, and lodging if needed.

  • Theodora M.
    Jul. 19, 2022

    Wabasso Lake Recreation Area

    Lovely Spot on Lake Wabasso

    The campgrounds here have a fire ring and table, and plenty of room to set up in. The lake is gorgeous and swimmable. The only amenities are a vault toilet and water.

  • Caroline C.
    Jun. 7, 2021

    Sandy Beach Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Beautiful lake views and big sites

    Campground is a hidden gem - these sites are huge and if you can get one of the sites right on the lake, do it! We reserved a site last minute and stayed on site 1933 which had a slight lake view but site 1925 looked amazing. Families staying here had kids swimming right off the campsite in the very nice lake.

    There are bathrooms here but no showers. Sites have fire rings and picnic tables. There are dumpsters in the campground. They also had firewood for sale for $5 (cash or check).

    We were inspired to stop here by the other Dyrt reviewer!

  • C
    Jun. 10, 2018

    Indian Mounds — Northern Highland State Forest

    Simplistic, secluded, and great for kids

    Nestled on Lake Tomahawk, this small campground is comprised of drive-in and walk-in sites. Walk-in sites being tent camp only, which is the option we took. There is a small beach on site, and a number of lake front sites to choose from. Oh, can't forget.. The sun sets over the lake! Paved roads made it easy for my children to navigate the grounds on their scooters. There are electric and non electric sites, a water pump, but no showers. Your park pass will give you access to Clear Lake campground (couple miles down the road), which does has showers, another beach, and also firewood sales. We meant to take the boat on multiple lakes, but the fishing on Lake Tomahawk was spectacular! Hiking the trails near our site, you really get a sense of being in the northwoods. We could hear the birds, frogs, found salamanders, seen an otter, musk rat, loons, and more.

    The nearest town is Lake Tomahawk, where you can fuel up, get bait, or grab a bite to eat(maybe an ice cream cone for the kids).

    As I said in the description, the grounds are simple. However, we booked three nights but felt the need at the end of our trip to book another. We'll be coming back. Safe travels.

Guide to Minocqua

Tent camping near Minocqua, Wisconsin offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area provides rustic sites with fire rings and latrines, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without modern distractions.
  • At the Wabasso Lake Recreation Area, campers can enjoy a beautiful lakeside setting with picnic tables and vault toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • The Moen Lake Campground & RV Park features basic amenities like electrical hookups and a bathhouse with showers, catering to those who appreciate a few comforts while camping.

Tips for tent camping near Minocqua

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy canoeing and fishing at the serene Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, often referred to as the "Boundary Waters of Wisconsin."
  • Explore the beautiful trails and wildlife at the Wabasso Lake Recreation Area, where you can spot various birds and enjoy a peaceful lakeside experience.
  • Experience the tranquility of the Newman Lake Shelter, perfect for day activities like fishing, picnicking, and swimming in a picturesque setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent campgrounds near Minocqua, Wisconsin?

For tent campers near Minocqua, Wabasso Lake Recreation Area offers beautiful walk-in tent sites with a remote camping feel right on the lake. The water is gorgeous and swimmable, perfect for a true northwoods experience. Camp New Wood County Park is another excellent option with only seven first-come, first-served sites, providing a quiet experience with access to the Ice Age Trail for hiking enthusiasts. These campgrounds provide that authentic Wisconsin wilderness experience while still being accessible from Minocqua.

What amenities do tent camping sites in Minocqua offer?

Tent campgrounds near Minocqua typically offer basic amenities perfect for nature enthusiasts. Burned Dam Campground provides in-ground fire pits, picnic tables, and hanging posts for trash at each site, with the bonus of being situated right next to rapids on the river. Moen Lake Campground & RV Park offers a quiet, secluded setting where you can enjoy the woods and possibly spot wildlife like deer wandering through your campsite. Most area campgrounds feature vault toilets and access to water sources, with amenity levels varying from rustic (pit toilets only) to more developed facilities depending on the specific location.

When is the best season for tent camping in Minocqua?

The prime tent camping season in Minocqua runs from late May through early September when temperatures are most comfortable. Summer (June-August) offers warm days perfect for swimming at places like Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, known as the "Boundary Waters of Wisconsin" with its exceptional water quality and island camping spots. Early fall (September) can be magical at locations such as Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping with fewer insects and beautiful foliage, though nights get cooler. Be prepared for occasional summer storms, and note that some campgrounds like Three Johns Lake close during winter months.

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