The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest around Wabeno offers several dispersed camping options along rivers and small lakes. McCaslin Brook Dispersed site provides three sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet for $5 per night. Sites vary in size, with the largest accommodating RVs up to 20 feet, while the smallest is suitable for tents only. Several campers note rough access points with washed-out entrances requiring careful navigation.
Mountain Lakes Road and Oconto River sites provide more primitive options with varying accessibility. A camper observed the Oconto River site has "a small site, little rough to get into" while another warned "4x4 recommended. 2WD truck couldn't make it easily." Further north, dispersed sites around Wolf Lake, Woodbury Lake, and McKinley Lake offer scenic water access with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Most sites accommodate tents and small trailers but have limited parking. According to one visitor, "The small lake belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach."
"1 site is on the road entering and 2 others are located on the lake. The water is crystal clear and very beautiful. There is another site on the north island that is accessible by boat"
"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."
"The first site, east side, is a pull in right off the road with the pit and table a few steps down from the parking pad. The second site is a pull through facing west right off the road."
"Three nice sites near the lake with a boat landing. Nice turn around area."
"This site is right next to the road and the lake on Knowles Creek rd. Enough room for a small camper"
"Rat River is right next to the bridge and offers a large site for multiple campers. Outhouse bathroom."
GuideThere 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.
TravelerThere are 3 sites each with a table, fire pit, a toilet pit and right off the brooke. The cost is $5 a night to be paid at Wheeler Walker Beach. The first site, east side, is a pull in right off the road with the pit and table a few steps down from the parking pad. The second site is a pull through facing west right off the road. The easements were a little washed out. The third site is a deep, large site away from the road facing west, with a bad easement. There was some occasional traffic on the main road and a quite a few UTVs.
No one else was here so we chose the third site away from the road. The only con we found to this site was the easement was really washed out and we bottomed our minivan coming in but were able to leave going out on the far right edge. The site is so spacious and could easily be for a large group.
GuideTwo sites on lake some distance apart. Sand bottom on shore, picknick table and fire ring. No fee for camping can stay 14 days.
GuideTents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest.
RangerGreat 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.
GuideWinter 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.
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.
GuideStunning, got here on a Monday night and no one was here. Sites are right on the water. Dirt road was fine for our older 29’ rv
GuideSmall 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.
Numerous dispersed camping sites surround Wabeno in the Nicolet-Chequamegon National Forest, with several along rivers and small lakes. McCaslin Brook Dispersed Site offers three primitive sites along a brook, two small and one large enough for campers up to 20 feet. Despite having pit toilets and picnic tables, access can be challenging with washed-out entrances and a significant drop from the paved road. These sites typically require a $5 fee.
Other options include Oconto River sites which feature picnic tables and fire rings, though several campers note rough access roads. One visitor mentioned that a "4x4 is recommended" as their "2WD truck couldn't make it easily." Mountain Lakes Road Dispersed provides a spacious site with ATV trail access. For lake access, Wolf Lake, Woodbury Lake, and McKinley Lake offer single-site locations with picnic tables and fire rings. These remote lake sites provide opportunities for swimming and fishing, with one camper noting Wolf Lake "belongs to a pair of loons that will share their fish and sandy beach." Most sites accommodate small trailers or tents, with parking areas typically handling vehicles up to 15-20 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Wabeno, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Wabeno, WI is Himley Lake with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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