The Nicolet National Forest surrounds Townsend, Wisconsin with over 661,000 acres of mixed hardwood forest at approximately 1,600 feet elevation. Camping options in this area range from established campgrounds with basic amenities to primitive dispersed sites along waterways. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with higher humidity and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to Do
Trout fishing on local waterways: Bagley Rapids Campground provides excellent access to brook and brown trout fishing. "Bagley rapids is a nice little campground in Nicolet National Forest. The short stretch of the Oconto River provides mainly brook trout and brown trout fishing," notes Christopher R.
Hiking nearby trail systems: Several trail networks connect throughout the national forest. "Visited John's spring trail that has great views; good exercise. Campground has water and toilet pit. Well maintained," reports Artem I. about the Bagley Rapids area trails.
Water recreation on quieter lakes: Ada Lake offers secluded swimming with minimal boat traffic. "The lake is electric motors only so the watercraft were generally quiet," explains Jen E. "It's rustic, so minimal amenities. First come, first served."
What Campers Like
Spacious, shaded sites: Boulder Lake campground offers larger campsites with good tree cover. "We had site 18 which is right on the water and across from the shower house. It was decently spaced out from the other sites," shares Julia B., who adds that "the shore was pretty level and easy to get our kayaks in and out."
River sounds for peaceful sleep: Campers frequently mention the calming effect of water features. "The most beautiful thing about this campsite is that it is right on the water. You can hear the constant rushing of the water over the rapids, which is so relaxing at night," writes Mary M. about her Bagley Rapids experience.
Natural swimming areas: Several campgrounds feature swimming access directly from campsites. "The shore is shallow and mostly sand. Nice for swimming," notes Julia B. about Boulder Lake, while other campers appreciate the smaller lakes with less boat traffic for safer swimming experiences.
What You Should Know
Limited services in remote areas: Cell coverage varies greatly throughout the forest. "T-Mobile signal is non-existent, Verizon had 1-2 bars of LTE which was enough to send out a few texts," reports Jacob V. at Bagley Rapids. Many campgrounds have no cell service.
Wildlife encounters: The forest hosts various wildlife including bears. One camper at Governor Thompson State Park reported, "Did hear some bear walking the first night and some coyotes/or wolves howling literally right behind our tent the second night."
Ticks are prevalent: Several reviewers mention tick concerns. "We found so many ticks on us!! Be careful!" warns Scott D. from Governor Thompson State Park, while another camper notes, "Quite a few ticks here, make sure to bring some permethrin spray for your clothes and your dog."
Tips for Camping with Families
Beach access options: Chute Pond Park offers family-friendly water activities. "They have a little footbridge to fish off of, a playground, and a nice beach. You can rent out kayaks and little boats," says Emily K. The park also features "slippery rock," a natural water slide popular with children.
Plan for weather variability: Summer temperatures can fluctuate significantly. Pack layers and rain gear, as afternoon thunderstorms are common in this region during summer months.
Campground amenities for children: Some campgrounds offer more kid-friendly features. "Very children and family oriented, some shorter trails, fishing area, playground, beach," reports Two Snoops about Chute Pond Park, making it ideal for families with younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: When choosing a campsite for larger vehicles, pay attention to access paths. At Mountain Lakes, "the camp is the perfect size for vans, small trailers or tents," according to Nicholas P., who adds that "the ground is not very even but you could probably get one or two tents in there."
Access roads can be challenging: Many forest roads are unpaved or poorly maintained. "The easements were a little washed out," notes Robyn B. about McCaslin Brook, adding "we bottomed our minivan coming in but were able to leave going out on the far right edge."
Electrical hookup availability: Availability varies by campground. "Almost all sites are electric," mentions Makenzie S. about Chute Pond Park, while most national forest campgrounds like Ada Lake and Bagley Rapids operate without electricity.
