Camping near Summit Lake, Wisconsin offers diverse experiences between the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and Langlade County's network of lakes. The region sits at approximately 1,600 feet elevation with annual precipitation around 33 inches, creating lush summer conditions and deep winter snowpack. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F, with July being the warmest month for campers seeking water activities.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park features an excellent disc golf course that draws enthusiasts. "Nice campground with a nice beach area and fantastic disc golf course!" notes Nathan R. about the facility.
Winter camping opportunities: Unlike most Wisconsin destinations that close by mid-October, some campgrounds in the Summit Lake area remain open well into winter. At Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park, winter camping events take place even in freezing conditions. Charles M. describes his experience: "Loved the whole experience, the cold, the snow, the hammock camping. Quite an event!"
Hiking the Ice Age Trail: The historic Ice Age Trail passes through the region, providing extensive hiking opportunities. At Dells of the Eau Claire Park Campground, "The hiking trails are great and go all the way out to the Ice Age trails. It goes along the river. Very scenic," according to Adrienne L.
What campers like
Swimming ponds with activities: Campers appreciate water features beyond the natural lakes. At Great Northern Campground, "Small - medium swim pond with floats for climbing and jumping. One end of pond shallow for the very young," as Lori S. describes.
Free canoe access: Some campgrounds offer complimentary water equipment for guest use. Jimmy P. notes that at Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park, "there are a bunch of trails right in and around the campground, as well as opportunities for canoeing on Game Lake (there is a canoe you can just use for free)."
Electric motor-only lakes: For a quieter lake experience, Ada Lake Recreation Area offers a peaceful alternative. "Only electric motors on the lake so it is usually a quiet setting. Away from town for a nice relaxing time," reports Haley C. Jen E. adds that "The lake is electric motors only so the watercraft were generally quiet."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Cell reception varies significantly throughout the Summit Lake region. At Dells of the Eau Claire Park, Art H. reports "Poor cell coverage," while at Ada Lake, coverage depends on proximity to residential areas across the lake.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking free, no-frills camping, Horn Lake Camping offers basic sites. "As a primitive camper who hates paying to sleep on the ground somewhere, this is my new favorite spot. Two sites, fire rings, no bathroom, water, electric," says Jarrett G.
Reservation systems: Most established campgrounds near Summit Lake operate on a mix of reservation and first-come systems. Ada Lake Recreation Area operates solely on first-come, first-served basis. "No reservations so it is first come first serve," confirms Haley C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Darlene S. notes that Langlade County Veterans Memorial Park has "nice swim beach, park to play volley ball play ground and modern showers."
Beach access for kids: When camping with children, look for campgrounds with swimming beaches. At Pelican Lake Campground, Steve D. found it a "Great place for kids, right on Pelican Lake for fishing and boating."
Low-traffic camping periods: For quieter family experiences, timing matters. Weekdays typically see fewer visitors, as noted at Lake George Campsite: "Quiet...a lot of full timers living there. Work during the day. Very quiet on week days," according to eugenia W.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad availability: Holly Wood Hill Campground offers RV sites with concrete pads, a rarity in the area. Tonya B. notes that "Yards on the lower sites are large, lots of room with concrete pads," though adds that "power/water hookups at lower sites are designed for motorhomes, not travel trailers."
Dump station considerations: Dump station layouts vary between campgrounds. At Holly Wood Hill, Tonya B. reports the "Dump site is unlevel and leans away from hose hookup making it difficult to fully flush holding tanks" and cautions that the "Driveway to get in and out of dump site is rough and quite tight for a camper longer than 35ft to maneuver around."
Electrical issues: During peak summer heat, electrical capacity can be a concern. At West Bay Camping Resort, one camper reported electrical problems during hot weather that limited air conditioning usage, suggesting larger rigs might want to check amperage availability before booking.
