Best Dispersed Camping near Peshtigo, WI

Dispersed camping options surround Peshtigo, Wisconsin, with most sites located within an hour's drive in the surrounding forests and along waterways. The Oconto River area off Mountain Lake Road offers primitive camping with sites positioned along a steadily flowing stream. McCaslin Brook Dispersed Site provides three designated camping areas with basic amenities like fire pits and picnic tables. Other options include Pioneer Park, Sturgeon Bay Canal, and Mountain Lakes Road Dispersed camping, all offering rustic experiences with varying levels of accessibility and natural features. These sites primarily accommodate tent camping and smaller RVs, with most allowing both drive-in and walk-in access.

Road conditions vary significantly across the region's dispersed camping areas, with several sites requiring careful navigation. "The entrance was doable for my sedan, but was tricky. I believe a camper could make it going slowly," notes one camper about the Oconto River sites. Many locations feature washed-out entrances with significant drops from paved roads, making high-clearance vehicles recommended for certain areas. Most sites lack drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities, though some provide wilderness toilets. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many locations, particularly those farther from towns. Summer brings mosquitoes, especially at sites near water, while spring can create muddy conditions at access points.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw in the Peshtigo area, with sites along brooks, rivers, and lakes receiving consistently positive reviews. The McCaslin Brook sites feature three distinct camping areas positioned along the water, each with different characteristics and accessibility. Campers report exceptional quiet at many locations, particularly at night. "The first night was almost absolutely silent other than the waterfall about a mile away," shares one visitor to the Oconto River sites. ATV and UTV traffic is common on nearby trails and roads, particularly at Mountain Lakes Road sites which connect to trail systems. Pioneer Park receives lower ratings due to highway noise and insects, while more remote options trade convenience for solitude and natural settings.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Peshtigo, Wisconsin (8)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Peshtigo, WI

2 Photos of 8 Peshtigo Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Peshtigo, WI

10 Reviews of 8 Peshtigo 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.

  • Michael U.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    McCaslin Brook Dispersed site

    Primitive sites all along the road.

    Tent and some pull through sites spaced down the road. Maybe 4-6 total


Guide to Peshtigo

Dispersed camping near Peshtigo, Wisconsin provides access to the Nicolet National Forest which encompasses over 661,000 acres of mixed hardwoods, pines, and wetlands. Winter temperatures frequently drop below zero Fahrenheit, while summer highs average in the 70s with frequent evening temperature drops. Seasonal road closures affect access to several sites between November and May, with spring mud making many forest roads impassable even when officially open.

What to do

**Water activities: Fishing, swimming, and paddling opportunities exist at multiple dispersed sites. At Sturgeon Bay Canal, visitors have direct access to the canal for fishing. "There were a few fishermen, a couple told us that the longer grass near the gravel lot had a lot of ticks but would still be camp-able," notes Abigail K.

**Wildlife viewing: Bring binoculars for bird watching at early morning hours. The Oconto River sites provide habitat for various waterfowl species. "Loved this spot. Stayed two nights, and the first night was almost absolutely silent," reports Zachary S. about the peaceful environment conducive to wildlife observation.

**ATV/UTV access: Several sites connect directly to trail systems. The Mountain Lakes Rd Dispersed site is particularly suitable for this use. "Big site for ATV campers right off trail can probably get toy hauler in here easy," notes one camper about the spacious setup and direct trail access.

What campers like

**Waterfront access: Many dispersed sites feature direct water frontage. Oconto River - South Branch provides two well-spaced sites near water. "There are 2 campsites at this trailhead, pretty well spaced apart," shares Rebecca B. about the peaceful setting that costs $5 per day unless you have a Golden or Access pass.

**Affordability: Most dispersed sites in the region are either free or require minimal fees. Rebecca B. describes McCaslin Brook as having "shady, Creek-Side, $5 Fee" sites, making it an economical option compared to developed campgrounds.

**Spaciousness: Several sites offer room for groups or multiple setups. McCaslin Brook Dispersed site features varied options. "There are three sites two small one large site which you can fit larger camper or RV in," explains one reviewer, highlighting the flexibility of the area to accommodate different camping styles.

What you should know

**Road conditions: Approach routes require careful navigation in most cases. "4x4 recommended. 2wd truck couldn't make it easily," cautions Michael U. about accessing Oconto River sites.

**Site availability: Sites fill quickly on summer weekends and during hunting seasons. McCaslin Brook offers multiple options when others are full. "There are three pull-in areas, with picnic tables and fire rings just off the road," notes Rebecca B., describing the layout.

**Bathroom facilities: Vault toilets at some locations receive minimal maintenance. "Wilderness toilet but they look pretty full," reports one camper about McCaslin Brook, suggesting visitors prepare alternatives.

**Connectivity: Cell service varies dramatically by carrier and specific location. "There was no AT&T to speak of, but TMobile had 20 down/1 up," shares Rebecca B. about signal strength at one site, while other locations report no service whatsoever.

Tips for camping with families

**Safety precautions: Uneven terrain and water proximity require supervision. At Sturgeon Bay Canal, Abigail K. reports, "We stayed here the night of the Fourth of July and it was pretty quiet... we felt safe! There were a few fishermen... Overall really nice, the stars were beautiful."

**Bug prevention: Bring appropriate repellent, particularly for sites near water. "Neither my friend or I got any ticks but we did spray pretty heavily," shares one camper about preventive measures taken at Sturgeon Bay Canal.

**Site selection: Choose locations based on amenities needed. The Oconto River sites feature more separation from neighbors but rougher access, while sites closer to towns offer easier entry but more traffic.

Tips from RVers

**Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. At McCaslin Brook, one camper advises, "Middle camp site has best access to brook I put a 8 foot pop up in it you could go bigger 20 foot max," providing specific size guidance.

**Leveling challenges: Bring additional leveling blocks as most sites feature uneven parking areas. "Easy to find. Plenty of room. Good gravel road, easy turn around. Mostly gravel parking lot with a mowed area for tenting. Im in a van/RV. Parked in the lot overnight. Flat, serviceable," reports Scott S. about conditions at Sturgeon Bay Canal.

**Electricity considerations: No hookups available at any dispersed sites. Rebecca B. notes that at McCaslin Brook, "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," highlighting an important consideration for those relying on solar power.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Peshtigo, WI is pioneer park with a 2-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Peshtigo, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.