Nicolet National Forest offers RV camping opportunities from mid-April through November. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night as early as September, with daytime highs reaching 85°F in summer months. The region's glacial terrain creates numerous lakes and waterways accessible from local campgrounds.
What to do
Paddle the waterways: At Boulder Lake, campers can enjoy kayaking from shore. "The shore was pretty level and easy to get our kayaks in and out. The shore is shallow and mostly sand. Nice for swimming," notes Julia B.
Whitewater rafting: Several campgrounds provide access to Wolf River rafting. "Boulder lake is amazing and is located conveniently close to the Wolf river, which has whitewater rafting and trout fishing," explains Christopher R.
Wildlife watching: Governor Thompson State Park offers secluded camping with wildlife viewing opportunities. "Did hear some bear walking the first night and some coyotes/or wolves howling literally right behind our tent the second night," reports Jeff F.
Hiking trails: The park system includes marked trails through forested areas. "There are a few hiking trails which i enjoyed spending time on. If you go down the street a bit you will find Old Veterans state park which has a secluded quiet lake and beach," mentions Tammie R.
What campers like
Private campsites: River Forest Campground offers secluded sites. "We arrived on a Sunday and probably missed the crowds, but that was deliberate. Upon arrival the owners greated us and went over everything we needed to know," says John G.
Clean facilities: Many RV parks near Townsend maintain well-kept bathrooms. "Bathrooms and showers were excellent. There are also pit toilets in the loops," reports Scott D. about Governor Thompson State Park.
Lake access: Direct water access is available at several locations. "Big, beautiful Lake. Friendly campground hosts. Nearby towns. Nearby firewood. One of my favorite places to camp," shares Danielle B. about Boulder Lake.
Generous firewood: Lake Hilbert Campground and others provide ample firewood. At Governor Thompson, "the wood grab was very generous and rather than them taking 5 small pieces and wrapping them together with cellophane, you fill up a wheelbarrow via honor system with large split dry logs," notes Jeff F.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly across the Nicolet Forest region. At Moen Lake Campground, the remote setting means limited connectivity. "If you want a quiet, secluded campground where you can just sit back and enjoy being out in the woods, then you will enjoy this campground," explains Luis.
Ticks are prevalent: Multiple parks report tick issues, especially in spring. "Beautiful Lakes secluded areas and a crazy amount of ticks in May. This could be why we were the only people in our loop of the campground so early in the season," warns Jill G.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds require navigation through winding forest roads. "This camp is well off the beaten path, narrow windy roads abound. But all paved & no traffic. In fact, we never saw a soul," shares PJ F. about their Governor Thompson experience.
Seasonal restrictions: Most RV parks close by early November. Maple Heights Campground operates from mid-April to mid-October, while Boulder Lake is open May 5 to November 1.
Tips for camping with families
Check for activities: Maple Heights Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "Showers pool mini-golf. No lake river or fishing," notes David V.
River activities: Some locations offer scheduled family entertainment. "River Forest Campground has become our #1 vacation destination. We took our 3 girls there this last week for their very first time camping. The kids got to sing karaoke and go tubing among many other activities," shares Crystal H.
Beach access: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly swimming areas. "The lake is not very deep, which is great for swimming or water recreation," mentions Christopher R. about Boulder Lake.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have highway proximity. "Busy highway noise all night," reports David V. about Maple Heights Campground, which matters for light-sleeping children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Boulder Lake, lakefront sites offer advantages. "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," reports Julia B.
Power options: Many RV parks near Townsend offer various electrical configurations. "The site has water and 20 amp electric service, the power is substantial to power the necessities," notes John G. about River Forest Campground.
Site terrain: Most campgrounds feature relatively level sites. "The sites were level and we didn't even need the levelers," reports one camper about Boulder Lake's convenient setup.
Off-peak benefits: Visiting during weekdays or shoulder season provides more privacy. "We went the weekend after Labor Day and basically had the whole place to ourselves. Very quiet and peaceful," shares Jeff F.
