Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area

Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest

Horseshoe Lake Campground is nestled in the hilly, sandy, pine barrens of Bayfield County in northern Wisconsin. The recreation area is primarily used as an equestrian campground and trailhead for a 12-mile, multi-loop horse trail, but is also available for regular camping. The campground lies about 200 yards west of its namesake, Horseshoe Lake, which can be accessed via the horse trail or by vehicle on FR 427. The tiny lake sits in a sandy bowl surrounded by birch and pines and provides a fun atmosphere for swimming, tubing and paddleboarding.

The campground and recreation area have plenty of parking for horse trailers along with two manure pits and a powered, non-potable water well. Every campsite is equipped with hitching rails and/or highlines, and some have several. One group site can accommodate up to 14 people (and their horses). Most of the campsites are at least partially shaded, however, bringing a canopy or awning is recommended.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE

There are 11 non-electric campsites for tent and RV/trailer camping. 9 sites are back-in and 2 sites are pull-through (see list below). Site # 10 is a group site. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, parking spur, and a tent area. Campground amenities include drinking water (hand pump) and vault toilets. All 11 sites are first-come, first-served.

To get to the campground and trail area, it is strongly recommended you drive the route of US Highway 2 > Ino Road > FR 245. Ino Road is paved and will limit the distance you will have to drive over rough roads; which all other roads approaching the campground are. The other benefit is that Ino Road winds through the beautiful area of the Moquah Barrens.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE
Trails & Places
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. All campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

GPS: 46.642560, -91.183800

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Campsites: 12
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 11
  • Tent Only Campsites: 0
  • Group Campsites: 1
  • Reservable Campsites: 0
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
  • Group Site Capacity: 14 people per site
  • All sites offer at least partial shade
RV & Camping Trailer Info
  • Campground Roads: Gravel
  • Campsite Spurs: Gravel
  • Back-in 30-foot max: 1, 2
  • Back-in 35-foot max: 4, 6
  • Back-in 45-foot max: 5, 7, 8, 10, 11
  • Pull-through 45-foot max: 3, 9
  • Generators Allowed: Yes (6:00am to 10:00pm)
  • Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: No
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.667171, -90.905432
    Thompson's West End Park & Campground ($ fee), 16 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.540430, -91.446985
    Top o’ the Morn Resort & Campground ($ fee), 26 miles away
Recreation Area Amenities
  • Horse Trails
  • Horse manure pits
  • Powered water well (non-potable)
  •  
  • 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
  • Horseback riding
  • Horseshoe Lake (11 acres, max depth: 10 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Tubing
  • Paddleboarding
Managing Agency
  • Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
  • Washburn Ranger District
  • 113 Bayfield St. East
  • Washburn, WI 54891
Local Gas & Services
  • Ashland is 16 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Washburn is 17 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Iron River is 17 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
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  • Distances are from the campground entrance.
    An asterisk* indicates an external link.