Best Tent Camping near Phillips, WI
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest surrounding Phillips, Wisconsin offers numerous tent camping opportunities ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Tent campers can explore the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, often called the "Boundary Waters of Wisconsin," with its 60 tent campsites spread across islands and shorelines. Wabasso Lake Recreation Area provides walk-in tent sites with lakeside views, while Picnic Point Campground offers reservable tent-only group sites within the national forest. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes through the region, providing access to primitive tent camping at backcountry sites like Sailor Creek and Lake Eleven.
Most tent campgrounds in the Phillips area feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Fire rings are common at established sites, though some areas like North Twin Lake Recreation Area prohibit fires. Vault toilets are available at most locations, but their condition varies significantly—Camp New Wood County Park's pit toilets lack lighting, requiring flashlights for nighttime use. Water access requires planning, with some sites offering drinking water while others necessitate filtration from nearby lakes and streams. Tent pads range from soft pine needle beds at Lake Eleven to more challenging surfaces at Sailor Creek, where roots and uneven ground can make tent setup difficult.
The region's tent-only sites provide distinct advantages for those seeking solitude. According to reviews, Wabasso Lake campsites offer "plenty of room to set up" with views of the "gorgeous and swimmable" lake. At Turtle Flambeau, campers report island sites that feel like "having an island to yourself," though weekend boat traffic can create noise that "echoes off the trees and water." Backcountry tent camping along the Ice Age Trail provides access to unique glacial formations, with Lake Eleven's north side location situated "under a grove of pines" creating a natural shelter and soft ground for multiple tents. First-come, first-served sites predominate, though even during holiday weekends, Camp New Wood County Park typically has availability among its seven tent sites.
