Best Tent Camping near Summit Lake, WI
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest surrounding Summit Lake, Wisconsin offers several tent camping options within a 30-mile radius. Ada Lake Recreation Area and Ada Lake NF Campground near Wabeno provide highly-rated tent campsites with lakeside options. Camp New Wood County Park in Merrill features seven tent sites adjacent to the Ice Age Trail. For those seeking more seclusion, Three Johns Lake Dispersed camping area offers a tent-only walk-in site on an undeveloped lake in the national forest, while Oconto River off Mountain Lake Road provides primitive tent camping along a flowing stream.
Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying surface conditions. Ada Lake's sites are primarily dirt and gravel with no concrete pads, making them suitable for tent setup. Access roads to some campgrounds require navigating gravel and dirt roads, with dispersed sites often needing higher clearance vehicles. One camper noted that the Oconto River site has a "rough turn-off" where "4x4 is recommended." Most established campgrounds provide pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, while dispersed areas have minimal or no facilities. The camping season typically runs May through October, with Ada Lake NF Campground specifically open May 3 to October 11. Wisconsin's beetle issues require purchasing firewood locally or at campgrounds rather than bringing it from outside areas.
Tent campers frequently comment on the tranquility of these northwoods sites. At Camp New Wood County Park, visitors report that "it's hardly ever full and you can easily get a spot," making it reliable even on holiday weekends. Ada Lake receives consistent praise for its peaceful setting, with one camper noting they "arrived mid-week and had no problem getting a lakeside campsite." The sites at Old Veterans Lake County Park offer particular privacy, with trails leading directly to the water from individual campsites. Three Johns Lake provides complete solitude as the only tent site on the lake. Morning fog over the lakes, abundant wildlife including frogs and fish, and access to hiking trails enhance the primitive tent camping experience throughout the region.
