Best Dispersed Camping in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's national forests offer several free dispersed camping locations with varying amenities and access conditions. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest contains sites like McCaslin Brook and Horn Lake, which provide primitive camping with fire rings but no drinking water or hookups. Both accommodate tents and small RVs via drive-in or walk-in access. Other locations include Chinty Lake Roadside Camp, described by one camper as "literally just a roadside pull off," and the Lower Wisconsin Riverway, which requires boat access.
Most dispersed sites have minimal facilities. While some locations like Oconto River and County Road O Landing include picnic tables, toilets, and occasionally drinking water, most provide only basic fire rings. Visitors should expect rough roads to reach many sites. A reviewer at Horn Lake noted, "About 2 miles of dirt road to get there" and another at Oconto River mentioned the site was "a little rough to get into." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote locations. Foster Falls stands out by accommodating larger rigs while maintaining its primitive character, though it requires a permit unlike most other Wisconsin dispersed sites.
