Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Guide
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The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest extends over an amazing 1.5 million acres, with units across the northeastern and northwestern Wisconsin regions. Archeologists have traced the cultural history of this area back to approximately 10,000 years ago to an era of the Paleo-Indians, followed by the Archaic Indians and then the Woodland Traditional Indians. The forest still has the oldest and biggest trees within the 18,000-acre Headwaters Wilderness area but is limited due to the logging from the early 20th century. The Civilian Conservation Corps planted the trees that stand there today in the 1930s. With the Nordic winter winds accompanying a deep blanket of snow to the northern Wisconsin region, the forest becomes ideal for following groomed and tracked cross-skiing trails, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.
Camping in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest provides many miles of camping opportunities. However, with the changeable weather conditions and the fact that it gets well below freezing during certain parts of the year, an RV would be the perfect solution to keep you comfortable. With an RV from RVshare, you can enjoy your day exploring, knowing you'll be returning to a warm and cozy living space.
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Patricia Lake Campground
Patricia Lake Campground sits on the Oneida and Vilas county border where outdoor water enthusiasts can enjoy the beautiful natural environment at its best. It’s one of the top 10 campgrounds and RV parks in the Minocqua, Wisconsin region. The campground offers water, electric, and sewer hookups for all RV sizes. The campground is pet-friendly.
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Day Lake Campground
Day Lake Campground features 52 sites with some able to accommodate RVs up to 45 feet. However, there are no available hookups at this campground. All sites are equipped with a picnic table, parking spur, and fire ring. You can swim at the beach, go hiking, or fish on the pier at this campground.
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Hayward KOA
Hayward KOA sits just three miles north of Hayward on Highway 63 and is the perfect oasis after a long work week. The campground has both back-in and pull-through sites with water, electric, and sewer hookups. It's a family and pet-friendly environment with plenty of amenities, including Wi-Fi, a large jumping pillow, a playground, and a 300-foot water slide.
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Wildwood Haven Resort
Wildwood Haven Resort is nestled in the scenic Penokee Mountain region and sits along the northern shoreline of Long Lake. All RV campsites offer water and electrical hookups; plus, there is a dump station available onsite. Amenities available at this campground include a swimming pier, boat launch, and watercraft rentals.
RV Rentals Near Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Hiking Trails
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Argonne Experimental Forest Trail
Argonne Experimental Forest Trail goes through the northern hardwood forest. In time, this trail will be used to tell the story of hardwood management and the ongoing studies. It's in the Laona Ranger District of Lakewood and near the city of Three Lakes.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
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Assessor's Interpretive Trail
The trail sits on the east side of Lost Lake adjoining to the Lost Lake Campground and connects to Ridge Trail. It winds you through majestic hemlocks and hardwoods for a deep wilderness experience. There are outdoor learning signs on the path that explain the natural and cultural history of this area.
Length: 1 mile
Intensity: Easy
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Bailey Lake Equestrian Trail
Bring your horse and take them on a slow trot to view this area high up on the saddle. You'll travel through a tall, red pine forest that once was a logging road and railroad grade a long time ago. In winter, parts of the trail are open for snowmobiling.
Length: 12 miles
Intensity: Easy
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Anvil Lake Trail
The Anvil Lake Trail features a huge, mature chunk of northern hardwood forest with scattered mature hemlock spread periodically throughout the region. It is a lightly trafficked loop trail situated near Eagle River, so you can easily seclude yourself amongst the forest's natural habitat. Some areas offer an easy or more difficult option to make it through particular trail sections.
Length: 6.6 miles
Intensity: Intermediate
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Pigeon Lake Trail
The trail is a lightly trafficked loop near Drummond, Wisconsin, in Chequamegon National Forest. The path is designed for all skill levels and generally used for hiking, birdwatching, and walking. Fishing is also permitted in the lake.
Length: 1.6 miles
Intensity: Easy
Activities in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Remote areas of rivers, streams, wetlands, bogs, meadows, uplands, and many glacial lakes are found throughout the forest, making it the perfect habitat for mountain maple, black oaks, sumac, shrubs, and coniferous trees. This is also the ideal habitat for white-tailed deer, foxes, elk, wolves, black bears, wild turkeys, and many bird species. Some popular activities to do in this national forest are horseback riding, hiking, wildlife observation, geocaching, and birdwatching. Stargazing is another popular past time on a clear summer night.
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Water Activities
Hit the beach with about 24 swimming areas to choose from or head to the lakes and rivers for kayaking, canoeing, boating, and fishing.
How to get to Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Address: Clam Lake, WI 54517
Fee: Day Use $5.0
Fee: Seasonal Sticker Pass $30.0
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest makes it easy to lose yourself in the wilderness with an enormous amount of trail options to explore and view. Whether you're looking to spend a whole week or a day discovering everything the Wisconsin region has to offer, an RV would make the perfect home base.