Tent camping near Westboro, Wisconsin offers opportunities for campers to experience the northern hardwood forests of Taylor County. Located along the southeast edge of the Chequamegon National Forest, the area's elevation ranges between 1,400 and 1,600 feet above sea level, creating cool summer nights even when days are warm. Many campsites feature sandy soil that drains quickly after rainfall, making for comfortable tent platforms.
What to do
Ice Age Trail hiking: Westboro serves as a gateway to several Ice Age Trail segments where you can observe glacial formations. "The Jerry Lake Segment provides incredible views as you're about 80 feet up" on the Hemlock Esker, according to a reviewer at Sailor Creek Campsite.
Fishing for panfish: Local lakes offer productive fishing for smaller species. At North Twin Lake Recreation Area, a camper notes there is "excellent fishing mostly consisting of Bass and Bluegills and Perch. It's a no wake lake so plan on just using a trolling motor or even a canoe to fish."
Island camping adventures: For a more secluded experience, consider boat-in camping at the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area. "Take a canoe down the Turtle Flambeu Flowage and you will be surprised at how many campsites are available but also you will notice most times it's like having an Island to yourself."
What campers like
Private island sites: Campers appreciate the seclusion of water-surrounded campsites. At Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area, "We settled on this amazing site called 'Zelda's' nestled in a bay which is off the main drag of boats. It was quiet, heavily wooded, secluded and perfect for two. This site (like many) was on its own private island."
Wildlife viewing: The area offers excellent opportunities to observe forest animals. At Turtle Flambeau, one camper mentioned, "Wildlife is abundant with Bald Eagles, Loons, deer, coyotes, and sounds of wolves. Our site happened to have a mating pair of eagles about 50 yards from our landing."
Swimming spots: Many campgrounds provide access to natural swimming areas. "There was also a nice sandy beach 100 yards from our landing on an opposite strip of the flowage. We paddled over, laid out a blanket and sun bathed in a little used area."
What you should know
Limited drinking water: Many backcountry sites require water filtration. At Northside Lake Eleven Campsite, campers report the site is "located next to the lake, it provided ease of access to water that was drinkable with a filtration system."
First-come, first-served sites: Most smaller campgrounds don't take reservations. At Camp New Wood County Park, "Others we spoke to that stayed there before said its hardly ever full and you can easily get a spot. For $15 a night, it was a decent stay."
Limited cell service: Be prepared to disconnect while camping. Throughout the Turtle Flambeau area, campers warn "I wouldn't count on your phone for service" and recommend "a handheld GPS if your not the best at reading maps."
Tips for camping with families
Bring activities for evenings: With limited amenities, pack games and activities. At Wabasso Lake Recreation Area, "The only amenities are a vault toilet and water" but "The lake is gorgeous and swimmable."
Consider shorter hikes: Some backcountry sites require significant hiking. For easier access, North Twin Lake offers lakeside sites where "all the campsites on the lake had plenty of space for multiple tents or campers."
Pack for cool nights: Even summer temperatures can drop significantly after sunset. Northside Lake Eleven Campsite offers good protection as it's "situated under a grove of pines so we had adequate protection from the sleet storm that was coming."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV sites available: Most sites in the immediate Westboro area are tent-only. For RV camping, Camp New Wood County Park offers seven sites with "The pit toilets are not in the best shape and have no lighting so bring a flashlight. There are no showers but that didn't bother us for the 2 nights we were there."
Rough access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. When visiting Wabasso Lake, one camper noted, "The road in evokes that remote camping feeling - we loved the drive!" but this may present challenges for larger vehicles.
Consider nearby alternatives: If Westboro campgrounds are full, look slightly farther afield. As one Camp New Wood visitor shared, "We ended up camping here after finding out the last site at Council Grounds was taken by the time we got there (we did call before we left)."
