Dispersed camping near Mountain, Wisconsin provides options away from established campgrounds. Several sites along waterways offer primitive camping with basic amenities in the Nicolet National Forest. These locations feature varying accessibility, with most suitable for tent camping or small trailers due to narrow access roads and limited clearance in forested areas.
What to do
Whitewater activities nearby: Boulder Lake Campground serves as a convenient base for water adventures. "Boulder lake is amazing and is located conveniently close to the Wolf river, which has whitewater rafting and trout fishing. The lake is not very deep, which is great for swimming or water recreation," notes Christopher R.
Trout fishing access: Anglers can find productive spots at Oconto River-2nd Branch where the stream holds native fish. Christopher R. mentions it's "great for brook trout-close to federal campgrounds." This location offers handicap fishing access along the river with designated tables for accessibility.
Explore ATV trail systems: The extensive network connects multiple camping areas around Mountain. "The entrance is right off the ATV / Snowmobile / Horse Trails which connect to thousands of miles of trail systems all throughout the Northwoods of Wisconsin," explains a camper about the regional trail access points.
What campers like
Waterfront campsites: Bagley Rapids NF Campground offers spots directly on moving water. "I have stayed here a couple of times and it is hands-down my favorite campground. Many of the sites are right on the river... You can hear the constant rushing of the water over the rapids, which is so relaxing at night," writes Mary M.
Secluded camping environment: Governor Thompson State Park Campground provides privacy between sites. "We went the weekend after Labor Day and basically had the whole place to ourselves. Very quiet and peaceful. Walked the loops looking at other campsites and most are very private," reports Jeff F.
Dog-friendly water access: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Mountain feature water access where dogs can cool off. At Mountain Lakes, "There is a small easy to climb path straight down to the lake. It's a fairly soft, muddy bank but I was able to launch my kayak easily from there," mentions Nicholas P., noting the area welcomes pets.
What you should know
Tick activity: Prepare for ticks when visiting dog-friendly campgrounds near Mountain, especially in spring. "Beautiful Lakes secluded areas and a crazy amount of ticks in May. This could be why we were the only people in our loop of the campground so early in the season. Sprayed the entire site with Apple cider vinegar to try to keep the ticks off the dogs," advises Jill G. about Governor Thompson State Park.
Limited cell service: Many campsites have poor connectivity. "T-Mobile signal is non-existent, Verizon had 1-2 bars of LTE which was enough to send out a few texts," reports Jacob V. about Bagley Rapids.
Road access challenges: Some dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road, "The entrance was doable for my sedan, but was tricky. I believe a camper could make it going slowly," notes Zachary S., adding "Do not follow road past campsites, either way unless your vehicle is lifted."
Tips for camping with families
Check water depth: Mountain Lakes has shallow water good for smaller children. "Small shallow lake soft muddy bottom no beach," reports hesselinkj@yahoo.com, making it appropriate for families with younger children wanting gentle water access.
Pack extra bug protection: The forested areas around Mountain attract insects, especially during warmer months. "Quite a few ticks here, make sure to bring some permethrin spray for your clothes and your dog," advises Jacob V.
Consider noise levels: Some areas experience higher UTV traffic during events. At McCaslin Brook Dispersed site, a reviewer notes "There was an ATV festival in lakewood that I was unaware of until arriving so there was a lot of dust and noise. ATV riders also frequently walk into your camp to use the toilet."
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Many dispersed sites have challenging entrances. At McCaslin Brook, "There are 3 sites each with a table, fire pit, a toilet pit and right off the brooke... 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," warns Robyn B.
Power considerations: If staying at locations without hookups, prepare for self-sufficiency. One camper at Boulder Lake Campground chose not to stay because "it was so shaded. While that made it nice and cool, it made solar & Starlink impossible."
Space constraints: Most dispersed sites accommodate only smaller rigs. Skip H. advises about Oconto River-2nd Branch, "Absolutely no trailers larger than a teardrop. Even that is questionable. I wouldn't recommend anything larger than a van or sprinter."
