Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Summit Lake? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
PLEASE NOTE: HORN LAKE IS NOT A DESIGNATED CAMPGROUND
Overnight camping, including tents, trailers, cars and trucks may be permitted in the County Forest without charge for a period of no more than 14 days cumulatively in a calendar year. Any camper who violates the rules of good conduct, including cutting or defacing timber, carelessness with fire, violation of game and fishing laws of the State, or improper disposal of garbage and litter shall be subject to ejection from the County Forest and subject to the penalties provided by County and State laws.
When camping on the County Forest, blocking roads, parking areas, or lake access is not permitted.
Dispersed camping is the type of recreational experience that is outside the confines of a developed campground setting. It’s just you and the woods without latrines, fire rings, or any other type of amenities you’d find in a campground. There are still some rules that need to be followed to preserve places for others to enjoy.
There are still some rules that need to be followed to preserve places for others to enjoy.
Please follow Leave No Trace practices to make sure no evidence of your visit remains. This means packing out all garbage and supplies you brought with you– leave the site cleaner than when you found it. Where toilets are not provided, bury and cover waste in a shallow trench at least 200 feet away from any water. Be aware of fire restrictions that apply to campfires outside of developed campsites. In dry conditions, campfires may be banned in the general forest, but still allowed in campgrounds. Never leave a campfire unattended. Be sure your fire is out before you leave the campsite. Check the most up to date Motorized Vehicle User Map (MVUM) to make sure the Forest Service road you wish to drive on is open to motorized vehicles. Please contact your local Forest Service office to obtain the latest copy of the MVUM map. Motor vehicles may be parked up to 30 feet from the edge of the road surface when it is safe to do so without causing damage to National Forest resources or facilities, unless prohibited by state law, a traffic sign, or special closure order. Parking motor vehicles or trailers is not allowed where it will impede traffic, harm vegetation, or impact soils. For example, driving and parking in open fields beyond the shoulder of a road right-of-way. Parking in front of gates is prohibited. RV or vehicle campers may utilize shoulder parking pull off areas or closed roads with a berm to park and camp. Visitors who are tent camping should be a minimum of 150 feet from the edge any trail or Forest Service road. Camp sites must be 200 feet away from any water or lakeshore. You may not construct any “improvements” at your camp. Examples of prohibited improvements include digging ditches, cutting of live trees or other vegetation, or construction of permanent fire rings. Disperse all signs of a campfire once it is extinguished, if you use one, or use a camp stove. You may not leave your camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours. Occupancy is limited to 21 days at the same site within a 30 day period, one mile away from previous site. Be considerate of other campers or users that may be in the area. Hold down the noise please. Use only dead and downed material for firewood. Do not carve, chop, cut, peel bark, install nails or screws, or do any other damage to live trees. Use of wheeled carts or any mechanized or motorized equipment is prohibited in all designated wilderness areas.
Guide
Tents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest.
Ranger
Great spot right on the water. There are 2 camp spots with stone rings. They are about 40' apart on a cul-de-sac at the end of the road where the boat launch is. I'd suggest using your own firepit/ grill if you have one as some moron decided burning tires in the firepit was a good idea.
It's a beautiful spot. Very quiet. Land to the north is private property, so keep that in mind. You'll see a few houses on the way in.
If you travel to the left where the road "T's" off, take care. The road is tight and very twisty. There are numerous spots to camp, but no pits to the left. I would not recommend going to the left unless the max your hauling is a teardrop. Anyone up to 20' would be OK going to the right where the established 2 sites are.
Traveler
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.
GuideA single campsite can park next to tent only. Access to lake
GuideSingle campsite on small lake. Room for small camper in parking less than 15 foot. Fire ring and picknick table. Road to get in is narrow and pot holed.
TravelerA few mosquitoes, but the wind kept them to a minimum! Great view of the lake and very private. About 2 miles of dirt road to get there. Turn right when you get to ATV trail. Two camp sites 10 yards apart.
Guide
Small campsite along paved road,fire ring and picnic table ,wilderness toilet. Stayed two nights in September it was quiet fishing was so so. I had 8 foot pop up could fit a 20 footer easy or tent camp. Seen two fire ring along the right shore of lake accessable by water.
Guide
Winter camped here, was a nice spot pic nik table, fire ring, wilderness toilet. There is hiking trail access from campsite,but no water access to butternut lake or it would have been 5 star. There is access down the road.Did get one bar of cell (cricket) full with 20 foot ant. Note I've been through here in summer and the road is gravel very dusty from traffic.
Guide
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.
ScoutAs 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.
GuideWe camped here in May not much for skeeters, good sites on the lake with a fire pit on a dead end road with a boat landing.
GuideNice spot to camp can fit trailer in parking area. There are two picknick tables and fire ring. Tent spot by lake boat access.
ScoutVery cool spot right on the river. In ground fire pit. Decent amount of off-road vehicle traffic. No service :)
GuideSmall 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.
Guide
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.
GuideThe McCauslin Brook runs through Townsend and Lakewood. There are a total of 3 sites in this location and all are on the Brook.
GuideOn small lake has fire ring and picknick table. Room for small camper 10to 15 foot also tents wilderness toilet. No motor lake
GuideTwo sites on lake some distance apart. Sand bottom on shore, picknick table and fire ring. No fee for camping can stay 14 days.
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Summit Lake, Wisconsin, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of spots that cater to different camping styles, from lakeside retreats to secluded forest hideaways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Summit Lake, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Summit Lake, WI is Horn Lake Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Summit Lake, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Summit Lake, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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