The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest spans over 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin's Northwoods. The USDA Forest Service manages it for diverse uses such as forestry, wildlife habitat, recreation, and conservation. To experience Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest RV camping, you can easily rent RVs from local rentals or online platforms.
Camping in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Most campgrounds in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest are RV-friendly, though not all offer hookups. The RV campgrounds around the forest provide additional options. The forest also allows dispersed camping, where you stay in the forest outside the campgrounds. You can use shoulder parking pull-off areas or closed roads with a berm for parking your RV and for camping.
Campgrounds in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Campgrounds Near Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
You can find an RV campground in nearby cities like Wausau, Medford, and Ashland. Find the top campgrounds in Wisconsin and choose one based on proximity to the forest and available amenities.
Free Campgrounds in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Family-friendly Campgrounds in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
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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.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Hiking Trails
You can hike through wetlands and forest landscapes in this forest. You can explore the hike trails in summer on foot or on horseback and enjoy skiing during the winters.
Easy Hiking Trails
Interpretive Hiking Trails
Skiing and 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
Apart from RV camping and hiking, here are the top things to do in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
The forest offers a variety of biking opportunities, from well-maintained mountain biking trails to challenging cross-country routes. Bikes are allowed on most forest roads and trails, except in designated Wilderness Areas and hiker-only trails like the North Country Scenic Trail and Ice Age Trail.
With over 2,000 miles of streams and more than 600 lakes, the forest is a fishing paradise. Anglers can catch trout, bass, walleye, and other species in the diverse waterways, including trout streams and spring ponds.
Enjoy motorized and non-motorized boating, swimming, tubing, waterskiing, windsurfing, and scuba diving. Lake Owen Recreation Area is a popular spot for scuba enthusiasts.
Equestrian trails like the Bailey Lake Equestrian Trail and Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area provide excellent paths for horseback riding amidst scenic forest views.
The forest transforms into a winter wonderland with activities like snowmobiling, skijoring, and cross-country skiing. Groomed ski trails, such as those at Valhalla, and snowshoeing routes make it a favorite for winter recreation.
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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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
What type of wildlife lives in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?
Wildlife living in the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest includes deer, foxes, elk, wolves, turkeys, and black bears. There is also a variety of birds that live in the forest, along with fish and other small animals.
Do you need a permit to fish or hunt in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?
Yes, you need a permit to hunt in Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. Wisconsin state hunting laws apply within the forest boundaries. If you are 16 years of age or older, you need a fishing license to fish in the forest as well.
Is there a limit to how long you can camp in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?
Yes, there is a limit to how long you can camp in Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. Campers may stay up to 14 consecutive days at their campsite before they must move on, unless otherwise noted. This rule applies to both designated campgrounds and dispersed campsites in the forest.
What is the closest town to Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?
Park Falls, Wisconsin is one of the closest towns to Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest. The town has grocery stores, hotels, restaurants, and everything campers need to restock for a camping trip.
Is Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest open all year round?
Yes, Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest is open year-round. Visitors can go motorized trail riding, hiking, fishing, and boating all year long at the forest.
