Kentuck Lake Recreation Area

Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest

This shady campground is in a beautiful, wooded setting on the northeast shore of a 1000-acre lake. The lake is a popular boating and fishing destination surrounded by a pine and hardwood forest. Panfish, Musky, Walleye and Smallmouth Bass are common. Although most of the lake’s shoreline is dotted with cottages and homes, the area surrounding the campground is undeveloped, part of the Kentuck Lake State Natural Area.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE

There are 31 non-electric sites. 29 sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, see list below). 2 sites are pull-through. Site #7 is the campground host. Every site has a tent area, picnic table, fire ring, and parking spur. Campground amenities include drinking water, accessible vault toilets and a developed boat landing with a large parking area. 18 sites are reservable and 13 are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hemlocks surround the waterfront campsites, while maple and oak provide a high, shady canopy for the rest of the campground. Every site has at least partial shade. All campsites are nicely spaced out with a moderate level of privacy. Waterfront campsites have at least partial views of the water; all have lakeshore access, and each is within steps of the water. Overall, this is a beautiful, rustic campground with updated facilities.

Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access
1, 2, 4, 5, 6, & 8

The public boat landing is next to the campground and features a paved ramp, boat pier, trailer turn-around and a large, paved parking area.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE
campground photo campground photo campground photo campground photo campground photo
Trails & Places

The Spectacle-Kentuck Lake Hiking Trail is a fun, 2.5-mile (one-way) out-&-back trail that connects the Spectacle Lake and Kentuck Lake Campgrounds. The trail is an easy, level hike through a mixed hardwood and pine forest with abundant wildlife. Part of the trail follows along the route of the old Thunder Lake Railroad Bed. The trailhead is at the boat landing, from there the first part of the trail follows the shore of Kentuck Lake through a State Natural Area.

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: 45.990921, -88.978792

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Campsites: 31
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 29
  • Tent Only Campsites: 2
  • Group Campsites: 0
  • Reservable Campsites: 18
Campground Amenities
  • Contact station kiosk
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Swimming beach
  • 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: 17, 21, 23, 25-28, 31
  • 30-foot max: 1, 12, 16, 29, 30
  • 35-foot max: 2, 5, 13, 24
  • 40-foot max: 3, 4, 6-11, 14, 15, 18, 22
  • Generators Allowed: Yes (6:00am to 10:00 pm)
  • Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: No
  • Nearby Dump Station: 45.952918, -89.007159
    Forest Pond Campground ($ fee), 5 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 45.916668, -89.256441
    Eagle River Wastewater Treatment ($ fee) 18 miles away
Recreation Area Amenities
  • Boat landing
  • Accessible vault toilets
  •  
  • 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
  • Hiking
  • Historic & Cultural Site
  • Kentuck Lake (1001 acres, max depth: 40 feet)
  • Boating (motorized)
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Musky (common)
  • ⥾ Panfish (common)
  • ⥾ Smallmouth Bass (common)
  • ⥾ Walleye (common)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (present)
  •  
  • Kentuck Lake contour map
  • Lake Bottom: 65% sand, 15% gravel, 20% rock
Managing Agency
  • Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
  • Eagle River-Florence Ranger District
  • 1247 E. Wall St.
  • Eagle River, WI 54521
Local Gas & Services
  • Eagle River is 17 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Iron River, MI is 22 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Distances are from the campground entrance.
    An asterisk* indicates an external link.