The Nicolet National Forest surrounds Mountain, Wisconsin, with terrain ranging from densely wooded areas to waterfront locations at elevations around 1,600 feet. Summer daytime temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, with cooler nights dropping to 50-60°F. Mosquitoes and ticks are common throughout the camping season, especially during May and early June when campers report finding numerous ticks on clothing and gear.
What to do
Whitewater rafting: 25 minutes from campgrounds. The Wolf River offers rafting opportunities near Mountain. Peshtigo River Campground organizes tubing trips that last 3-4 hours. "The river was nice! Low in some spots but we never had to get out and drag our stuff. Some trees to paddle around occasionally, but nothing out of the normal," notes one camper at Peshtigo River Campground.
Geocaching: Multiple trails available. Governor Thompson State Park features geocaching activities on their hiking trails. "Geocaches can be found on the hiking trails which is always fun!" writes a visitor to Governor Thompson State Park Campground.
Fishing: Multiple species in area lakes. Boulder Lake offers fishing opportunities with mixed results. "We did catch one bass off the shore. The shore was pretty level and easy to get our kayaks in and out," reports a camper about their experience at Boulder Lake.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Room for multiple setups. Many campgrounds offer sites large enough for both RVs and additional tents. "We have a 33 1/2 ft 5th wheel and had plenty of space. We could have had some tents on the site if we wanted to!" explains a camper at Peshtigo River Campground.
Private, wooded sites: Natural separation between campers. River Forest Campground provides secluded sites in wooded settings. "We arrived with a 34' 5th wheel camper, backing into the spot was tricky but very doable, the site has water and 20 amp electric service," notes a camper at River Forest Campground And Outdoor Retreats.
Waterfront access: Direct lake or river sites. Boulder Lake offers waterfront camping with easy water access. "We had site 18 which is right on the water and across from the shower house. The shore was pretty level and easy to get our kayaks in and out. The shore is shallow and mostly sand. Nice for swimming," shares a visitor at Boulder Lake.
What you should know
Variable cell service: Plan for limited connectivity. Coverage varies significantly by location and carrier. "Not the best fishing but excellent campground. Has showers and up to date bathrooms," comments a camper at Boulder Lake, while another at McCaslin Brook notes, "There was no AT&T to speak of, but TMobile had 20 down/1 up."
Tick precautions essential: May-June highest risk. Several campgrounds report significant tick populations. "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," cautions a visitor at Governor Thompson State Park.
Campground entrance conditions: Some access challenges. McCaslin Brook dispersed sites have difficult access points. "Entrances need a lot of TLC washed out and large drop from paved road. Middle camp site has best access to brook," reports a camper at McCaslin Brook Dispersed site.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Multiple options for children. Maple Heights Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "Showers pool mini-golf. No lake river or fishing," notes a reviewer at Maple Heights Campground.
Quiet times enforcement: Varies by campground. Some locations experience nighttime noise. "The first night we did hear a bunch of teens yelling at the shower house around midnight, but they either got kicked out or left because we didnt hear them again," reports a Boulder Lake camper.
Swimming locations: Shallow, sandy options. Many area lakes feature gradual entry points good for children. "The lake is not very deep, which is great for swimming or water recreation," mentions a visitor at Boulder Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Ground conditions vary. Many rv parks near Mountain, Wisconsin have natural, uneven terrain. "Big, beautiful sites that are very level - didn't even need levelers!" shares a camper at Boulder Lake.
Electrical service limitations: Prepare for lower amperage. Some RV parks offer limited electrical service. "The power is substantial to power the necessities," explains a camper at River Forest Campground about their 20-amp service.
Parking pad surfaces: Mostly natural materials. Fawn Lake Campground features various site surfaces. "We were visiting family in Shawano, WI, and stayed here for a week. Checking was easy and we had a long spot with full hookups," mentions a visitor at Fawn Lake Campground.
