Day Lake Recreation Area

Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest

Day Lake (578-acres) features gorgeous scenery with numerous islands, bays and peninsulas that are fun to explore by boat, canoe or kayak. Tamarack-spruce bog, pines, maple, oak and birch cover the shoreline and islands. There’s also great fishing for Panfish, Musky and Largemouth Bass. The campground is spread out along the west shore, about one mile north of Clam Lake Junction.

The day-use area and boat landing are separate from the campground, a mile south on County Highway GG, then west on County Highway M. The day use area has a swimming beach and a wide grass lawn with tables and grills. A few tamaracks and aspen provide limited shade. The spacious public boat landing has a paved ramp and a gravel turnaround.

The scenic Day Lake Hiking Trail runs along the shoreline between the day-use area and the campground and extends north of the campground to a beautiful overlook at the tip of a small peninsula. It is about a 700-yard hike from the Jack Pine Loop to the boat landing and day use area.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE

The campground has 39 family campsites in four separate loops among tall pines and mixed hardwoods. The loops are named: Jack Pine (1-10), Paper Birch (18-28), Red Pine (29-39), and Musky Bay (46-52). The Blueberry and Heron loops are closed (June 2023). Many sites are well-secluded, and every site has a picnic table, fire ring, tent area, parking spur, and is partial to fully shaded. 3 sites are tent-only and 36 can accommodate a tent or an RV/trailer (max length varies, see list below). Campground amenities include drinking water (hand pump), vault toilets, and accessible vault toilets (Paper Birch Loop). There are no electric hookups. 30 sites are reservable and 9 are first-come, first-served.

An accessible fishing pier is located near the Paper Birch Loop. Additionally, there is a small pier for campers to dock their boats near site #21 in the Jack Pine Loop and another near site #7 in the Paper Birch Loop.

The Paper Birch Loop has the best accessible sites: 19, 21, and 23. The loop’s road is paved, and these three sites have paved parking spurs. Each site has a paved path to accessible vault toilets, drinking water (hand pump), and the accessible fishing pier. Another paved path between sites #22 and #23 leads from the campground road to the well and fishing pier. Sunsets from the Lakeshore Trail and fishing pier are often beautiful, especially on partly cloudy days!

The Jack Pine Loop, Red Pine Loop, and Musky Bay Circle have gravel roads and spurs.

Although there are no hookups, this is an excellent campground for RV’s and trailers. Many sites have long, level parking spurs with spacious camping areas.

Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access
None of the sites closest to the lake are directly waterfront, however, several have views of the lake through foliage. The following sites are closest to the lake with footpaths to the Lake Trail which provides access to the fishing and boat piers:
6, 7, 8, 9, 19, 20, 21, 22, 35, 36, 37, 38, 46, 48, 49, and 50

Day Lake is a Loon nesting site.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE
Trails & Places

Like the nearby East Twin Campground, the Day Lake Campground offers direct access to the Dead Horse Run Motorized Trail. The trail is 63 miles long and meanders through scenic pine, birch, and hardwood forests. The trail connects with the Tuscobia Trail and the Flambeau River State Forest Trail.

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: 46.176450, -90.909067

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Campsites: 39
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 36
  • Tent Only Campsites: 3
  • Group Campsites: 0
  • Reservable Campsites: 30
Campground Amenities
  • Contact station kiosk
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Children’s play area
  • Open field
  • Small swimming beach
  • Canoe launch from campground beach
  • Accessible trail
  • Garbage & recycling
Campsite Amenities
  • All sites are non-electric
  • Fire ring
  • Picnic table
  • Tent area
  • Parking spur
  • Campsite Capacity: 8 people
  • All sites are shaded
RV & Camping Trailer Info
  • Campground Roads: Paved & gravel
  • Campsite Spurs: Gravel (36), paved (3)
  • All sites are back-in
  • 30-foot max: 4, 28, 33, 34, 46, 47, 48, 50
  • 35-foot max: 3, 25, 31, 37, 38, 39, 51
  • 40-foot max: 1, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 36, 49, 52
  • 45-foot max: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 21, 23, 30, 32, 35
  • Generators Allowed: Yes (6:00am to 10:00pm)
  • Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: No
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.352593, -90.645387
    Copper Falls State Park ($ fee), 21 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.049322, -91.440596
    Hayward KOA Campground ($ fee), 33 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 45.928431, -90.441731
    Park Falls Garage ($ fee), 33 miles away
Recreation Area Amenities
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Picnic area (tables, grills)
  • Children’s play area
  • Swimming beach
  • Boat landing
  • Garbage & recycling
  •  
  • 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
  • Hiking
  • Day Lake (578 acres, max depth: 20 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Boating
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Panfish (abundant)
  • ⥾ Musky (common)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (common)
  • Day Lake contour map
Managing Agency
  • Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
  • Great Divide Ranger District
  • 22223 State Highway 13
  • P.O. Box 126
  • Glidden, WI 54527
Local Gas & Services
  • Clam Lake is 1 mile away
    (restaurants, grocery, convenience store, gas & services)
  •  
  • Cable is 20 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Mellen is 19 miles away
    (restaurant, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services)
  •  
  • Hayward is 32 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromats)
  •  
  • Distances are from the campground entrance.
    An asterisk* indicates an external link.