Most of the campground sits on a wooded rise overlooking scenic Bear Lake (66 acres). Balsam fir, cedar, pine and hemlocks shade the lakeshore sites, while the rest of the campground lies under a canopy of maples. Many of the campsites are spaced well-apart from each other to provide pleasant levels of seclusion. Large beds of trillium are scattered throughout the campground and the early summer blooms are impressive, especially near the south end. The lake is electric motors only and offers excellent paddling.
The campground has 27 non-electric campsites. 22 are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, see list below) and 5 are walk-in tent sites. All sites are well-shaded and have a fire ring, picnic table, tent area, and parking spur. Campground amenities include drinking water (hand pump), and vault toilets. A sandy swimming beach backed by a grass lawn with tables and a grill is at the north end of the campground. 16 sites are reservable and 11 are first-come, first-served.
A public boat landing and a small lakeside picnic area are near the north end of the campground. The landing has a gravel ramp, turnaround loop and a small trailer parking area.
Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access
The following sites offer at least partial views of the lake and shoreline access:
3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 18, 20, & 22
The five walk-in tent sites (23-27) are on a small peninsula separate from the main campground. Each one is near the water with shoreline access. Sites 26 and 27 are especially scenic, with views of the lake through a layer of foliage.
Bear Lake is a Loon nesting site.
Trails & Places
- Goodman Park* | Picnicking, scenic falls & river trail, camping
- McClintock Park* | Picnicking, scenic river trail
- Jones Springs Area Trail* | Hiking
- Laura Lake Trail | Hiking
- Cathedral Pines SNA* | Hiking
- Twelve Foot Falls* | Waterfalls
- Peshtigo River | Paddling, whitewater rafting
- Wolf River | Paddling, whitewater rafting
Season
The campground is open from May through October.
Registration
A self-registration kiosk is located near the campground entrance. You must register and pay before occupying a site. Reservable sites may be reserved online up to six months in advance (please visit the reservations website for more details).
GPS: 45.514267, -88.529667
Campground Stats
- Total Number of Campsites: 27
- RV & Tent Campsites: 22
- Tent Only Campsites: 5
- Group Campsites: 0
- Reservable Campsites: 16
Campground Amenities
- Contact station kiosk
- Drinking water (hand pump)
- Accessible vault toilets
- Garbage & recycling
Campsite Amenities
- All sites are non-electric
- Fire ring
- Picnic table
- Tent area
- Parking spur
- Campsite Capacity: 8 people per site
- All sites offer at least partial shade
RV & Camping Trailer Info
- Campground Roads: Paved
- Campsite Spurs: Gravel
- All sites are back-in
- 25-foot max: 12
- 30-foot max: 3, 10, 11, 13
- 35-foot max: 6, 8, 21
- 40-foot max: 17
- 45+-foot max: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22
- Generators Allowed: Yes (6:00am to 10:00pm)
- Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
- RV/Trailer Dump Station: No
- Nearby Dump Station: 45.519686, -88.340504
Goodman Park (Marinette County) ($ fee), 12 miles away
- Nearby Dump Station: 45.30481, -88.55562
Maple Heights Campground ($ fee), 23 miles away
- Nearby Dump Station: 45.520779, -88.902416
Forest County Veterans Memorial Park($ fee), 27 miles away
- Visit sanidumps.com or rvdumps.com for more info.
Recreation Area Amenities
- Picnic area (tables, grills, shade)
- Swimming Beach
- Boat landing
- Pets Allowed? Yes
- Pets must be restrained or on a leash in campgrounds & developed areas.
- Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas.
Recreation Area Activities
- Picnicking
- Bear Lake (66 acres, max depth: 20 feet)
- Swimming
- Boating (electric-only)
- Canoeing & kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Fishing
- ⥾ Panfish (abundant)
- ⥾ Largemouth Bass (common)
- Bear Lake contour map
- Lake Bottom: 20% sand, 5% gravel, 55% rock, 20% muck
Managing Agency
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
- Lakewood-Laona Ranger District
- Laona Office
- 4978 Highway 8 West
- Laona, WI 54541
- Phone: 715.674.4481
- Official website: Bear Lake Recreation Area
Local Gas & Services
- Laona is 10 miles away
(restaurants, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat) - Crandon is 21 miles away
(restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat) - Distances are from the campground entrance.
An asterisk* indicates an external link.