2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Dispersed tent camping opportunities near Mountain, Wisconsin include Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road and Octonto River - South Branch, both offering primitive settings along waterways in the surrounding forest lands. These locations feature drive-in and walk-in tent sites with minimal amenities, making them suitable for campers seeking a more natural experience away from developed facilities. Several established campgrounds like Old Veterans Lake County Park and Ada Lake Recreation Area provide alternative options with more services for tent campers.
Access to primitive tent sites varies significantly, with several locations requiring high-clearance vehicles. According to one visitor, "4x4 recommended. 2wd truck couldn't make it easily" to the Oconto River sites. Most dispersed camping areas include pit toilets but lack drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Sites typically feature fire pits and occasionally picnic tables, with terrain consisting of unimproved dirt or forest floor surfaces. The $5 daily fee applies at some locations unless visitors have appropriate passes, while others may be free but with stay limits.
Tent campers at these locations often enjoy significant privacy between sites and close proximity to water features. A camper described Oconto River as having "a deep, and steadily moving stream. Water is very cold, and flows from an aquifer upstream." Sites along lakes like Ada offer opportunities for fishing, swimming and paddling, with some restricting watercraft to electric motors only to maintain the peaceful atmosphere. Wildlife viewing is common at many locations, with frogs and fish abundant in the waterways. During peak summer months, visitors should be prepared for mosquitoes, particularly at sites closer to water. Most tent areas provide adequate tree cover for shade during hot days while maintaining small clearings for stargazing at night.
"Decent amount of off-road vehicle traffic. No service :)"
"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."
"Snowshoe on the lake! Is super buggy in the summer and the lake is green."
"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."
"We did have someone ratted on us for using our generator to supply our CPAPs because there was no electricity or water. We will be back."
"This is a little campground a short drive down some narrow, twisty backroads from Governor Thompson State Park. We stayed at site 11 which had an awesome little trail to the lake."
from $17 / night
"A nice little beach, quiet well spaced sites, and nearby snowmobile/hiking trails. The lake it small with a few lake cabins across the lake."
"Trolling motors only on this lake. Good fishing and quite. Dirty and grave sites with no concrete pads. Great place to spend a week or two!"
from $20 / night
TravelerThere are 3 sites at this location. The 2 southern sites can fit decent size trailers. The middle one, which we stayed in, for my 26” trailer pulled by my suburban. Pulled straight in and pulled straight out. Site was clean and the views were awesome!
ScoutDefinitely not meant for RV's or campers. To get to the site you must take a long sandy path that becomes muddy after rain. The path is also very uneven and has several pits where a camper can get stuck. The actual camp site is nice though. Visited in September so bugs were minimal and it was quite. The water near by sounds quite nice.
GuideWe love the quiet beautiful lake, the forest is beautiful, do watch the trees when choosing your site. We did not reserve, we drove up, followed the directions to choose a site and are staying 2 weeks. And we will be using bug spray, lots.
GuideMost of the sites were well spaced with a lot of trees in between. Bathrooms are clean. Each site had the standard picnic table and fire ring. My only complaint is that the path along the river had cutoffs to each campsite, and people would cut through where I was staying.
GuideCampground is not far off of the highway. The road is a bit rough but paved. Some of the sites are tight and not level. I had two Verizon cell bars. Good spacing between campsites, plenty of trash receptacles. All sites are blocked off with boulders and you can't drive all the way, in you have to park outside of your picnic area.
GuideCame in late, and it was a great site. Full hookups, reasonable price, and nice site. The sites near the entrance were not what we like…crowded and dark. The sites in the lower portion, however, were pretty nice. Looked like quite a few campers were there for long stays.
ScoutThe beach was amazing, water is clear, campsites are a really good size, very peaceful can’t wait to camp there again.
Scoutpretty area, tons of tree cover, and the brook is beautiful and clean. $5 per night for a picnic table, fire ring with cooking grate, and a pit toilet.
i would have rated this 3 stars anywhere else, but dispersed camping is so hard to find around here, i have to give this it's flowers. it's a great spot.
my biggest issue was how close to the road it was, and how busy that road is. during the day it was near constant traffic of cars, loud side-by-sides, bicycles and walkers. i had someone stop to chat almost immediately upon arriving, which my dogs and i were not too keen on, as we love dispersed camping to avoid socializing lol. site 3 is further off the road but was occupied.
another thing to keep in mind is that you pay the fee at a beach 2 miles away. i couldn't leave my site once i got there (i car camp by myself and didn't feel comfortable leaving it unattended.) i ended up paying a ranger that stopped by on day 2, but it's good to know ahead of time.
i got there at about noon on friday, and if i had waited until after work, i think i would have missed out. seems to be popular. would go again if i thought i could snag the 3rd site, but will likely keep trying to find more remote spots in the future.
ScoutWe stopped here on a half way stop to our land. Is a very cute place. Has an outdoor bar and taco truck with great food! Camper parking on a cement slab, power and water. Also a fire put and picnic tables at your site. Very nice owner! Had a great time.
Dispersed camping sites near Mountain, Wisconsin offer rustic outdoor experiences within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The area's mixed hardwood forests sit at approximately 1,400 feet elevation with temperatures ranging 25-80°F seasonally. Most primitive sites require campers to navigate forest service roads with varying conditions throughout different seasons, often deteriorating after heavy rainfall.
Swimming opportunities: At Ada Lake Recreation Area, campers enjoy a small beach area perfect for cooling off during summer months. "A nice little beach, quiet well spaced sites, and nearby snowmobile/hiking trails," notes one visitor who appreciated the lake's restrictions on motors.
Fishing excursions: Electric motors only at Ada Lake NF Campground create ideal conditions for anglers seeking peaceful water activities. A camper confirms "trolling motors only on this lake. Good fishing and quite."
Waterfall exploration: Several primitive camping spots provide access to local waterfalls. One visitor at Oconto River noted hearing "the waterfall (difficult to access) about a mile away," making these natural features worth the extra hiking effort.
Trail access: Forest service trails connect many dispersed sites, providing options for hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. Multiple campers mention trail accessibility as a key benefit of staying at these primitive locations.
Riverside locations: The Oconto River - South Branch sites offer budget-friendly camping with water access. One camper shared, "There are 2 campsites at this trailhead, pretty well spaced apart... Unless you have the Golden or Access pass, it is $5/day."
Privacy between sites: Even at established campgrounds like Old Veterans Lake County Park, campers value the separation. "I stopped into the campground while at Governor Thompson state park. It was perfect, for me. Each site was by itself," reported one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The area's lakes and streams support diverse aquatic life. At Old Veterans Lake, campers report: "Tons of tiny fish everywhere that are very interactive... It was great for swimming and finding more tiny fish."
Cool water access: Many campers appreciate the natural cold-water streams. The temperature difference provides welcome relief during hot summer days, with some campers noting the cold water flows from natural aquifers.
Access challenges: Forest road conditions vary significantly and deteriorate after rain. A visitor to one site reported, "The entrance was doable for my sedan, but was tricky. I believe a camper could make it going slowly."
Limited cell service: Expect communication gaps throughout the area. One camper at East Bass Lake Park appreciated that it's "a great place for those who want some solitude" with only two camping spots available.
Stay limits: Several locations enforce maximum stays. East Bass Lake Park limits consecutive camping to "2 day maximum consecutive days stay," according to a visitor, while other sites may have different restrictions.
Season considerations: Most dispersed sites lack winter maintenance. The camping season typically runs May through October, with Ada Lake NF Campground specifically open "May 3 to October 11."
Best swim areas: Marinette County Goodman Park provides safer swimming options with more amenities. A visitor describes it as "very nice peaceful feels like youre in the middle of nowhere," making it ideal for families wanting both wilderness and basic facilities.
Wildlife education: Many campsites offer excellent opportunities to introduce children to aquatic ecosystems. One camper at Old Veterans Lake notes "We come here with the kids every spring. They always catch frogs, fish, and turtles."
Insect preparation: Mosquito populations peak from June through August, particularly near water. A camper at McClintock County Park advises to "bring ways to keep mosquitoes at bay" when visiting sites near rivers or streams.
Toilet considerations: Prepare children for vault toilets at primitive sites. Facilities vary widely, with some campers noting "the vault toilets are well kept" while others recommend visiting facilities before dark.
Site surface conditions: Most dispersed areas have uneven, natural surfaces. At Ada Lake, campers note "dirty and gravel sites with no concrete pads" that require careful leveling for comfort.
Clearance requirements: High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for accessing remote sites. Multiple reviews warn against attempting certain forest roads without appropriate vehicles.
Parking limitations: Space constraints affect larger rigs at most primitive sites. A visitor to Oconto River advised, "Do not follow road past campsites, either way unless your vehicle is lifted" to prevent getting stuck.
Electric limitations: Bring alternative power sources for necessary equipment. One camper at Veterans Lake shared, "We did have someone ratted on us for using our generator to supply our CPAPs because there was no electricity or water."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mountain, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mountain, WI is Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road with a 3.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Mountain, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Mountain, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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