Lost Lake is one of the more scenic campgrounds in the eastern districts of the Chequamegon-Nicolet, next to Franklin Lake and Luna-White Deer. This rustic family campground is in a forest of oak, maple, ash, aspen and birch on the lake's north shore (84 acres). The non-motorized lake’s clear waters and undeveloped shoreline combine for enjoyable canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. For anglers, the lake is stocked with Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout.
The campground is laid-out on a long, wooded hillside that gradually slopes down to the lake. There are 27 shady, non-electric sites that can accommodate a tent and an RV/trailer (max length varies, see list below). Each site has a tent area, picnic table, fire ring, and parking spur. Campground amenities include a small swimming beach, drinking water (electric well and hand-pump), and accessible vault toilets. A developed boat landing offers a gravel ramp, trailer turnaround, and trailer parking area. 14 sites are reservable and 13 are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Most campsites offer long spurs, spacious camping areas and pleasant levels of seclusion.
Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access
All the lakeside sites are set back from the lake with trails to the shoreline and views of the water through a layer of foliage. Some sites are closer to the lake: 8, 9, 10, 17, and 22. Others are set a little farther back and have more limited lake views: 6, 13, 15, 18, 20, & 23.
Lost Lake is a Loon nesting site.
Trails & Places
Hikers will find picturesque scenery on the Lost Lake Trail (1.3 miles), which circles the lake and runs through the campground. Another scenic hike is the Assessors Nature Trail, a one-mile double-loop that passes through a 150-year-old stand of hemlocks and white pines. Interpretive signs along the trail detail the area’s habitat and natural and cultural history. A segment of the Assessor’s Trail also features views of Lost Lake.
A part of the Assessor’s Trail is shared with the Ridge Trail (3.3 miles). The Ridge Trail runs through a variety of forest-types and terrain, including hardwoods, spruce, balsam fir, old hemlocks and stands of young aspen and birch. Part of the trail traverses the top of a wooded ridge and offers overlooks of the Pine River. The north trailhead for the Ridge Trail is at the Chipmunk Rapids Campground. From there, it’s a short walk across the FR 2156 road bridge to the south trailhead of the Lauterman National Recreation Trail (9 miles).
There are five scenic waterfall areas within an hour’s drive of the Lost Lake Recreation Area, LaSalle Falls (Pine River), Twelve Foot Falls* (North Branch Pike River), Piers Gorge (Menominee River), and Smalley Falls & Long Slide Falls (North Branch Pemebonwon River).
- Lost Lake Trail* | Hiking
- Ridge Trail* | Hiking
- Assessor's Trail* | Hiking
- Lauterman Trail* | Hiking, mountain biking
- Pine River | Paddling
- Popple River | Paddling
- Brule River | Paddling
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: 45.883567, -88.562267
Campground Stats
- Total Number of Campsites: 27
- RV & Tent Campsites: 27
- Tent Only Campsites: 0
- Group Campsites: 0
- Reservable Campsites: 14
Campground Amenities
- Contact station kiosk
- Drinking water (electric well, 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
- 30-foot max: 9, 18
- 35-foot max: 2, 6, 17, 19, 25
- 40-foot max: 1, 3-5, 7, 8, 10-16, 20-24, 26, 27
- 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: 45.921130, -88.260039
Wild Rivers Visitor Center in Florence ($ fee), 21.5 miles away
- Visit sanidumps.com or rvdumps.com for more info.
Recreation Area Amenities
- Accessible vault toilets
- 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
- Hiking
- Historic & Cultural Site
- Lost Lake (84 acres, max depth: 45 feet)
- Swimming
- Boating (non-motorized only)
- Canoeing & kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Fishing
- ⥾ Smallmouth Bass (common)
- ⥾ Brown Trout (common)
- ⥾ Rainbow Trout (common)
- Lost Lake contour map
- Lake Bottom: 25% sand, 20% gravel, 55% muck
Managing Agency
- Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
- Eagle River-Florence Ranger District
- 5638 Forestry Dr.
- Florence, WI 54121
- Phone: 715.528.4464
- Official Website: Lost Lake Recreation Area
Local Gas & Services
- Long Lake is 14 miles away
(restaurant, general store) - Iron River, MI is 20 miles away
(restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat) - Florence is 21 miles away
(restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services) - Distances are from the campground entrance.
An asterisk* indicates an external link.