Richardson Lake Recreation Area

Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest

The small recreation area is spread out over hilly terrain on the south shore of Richardson Lake (48 acres) in a pleasant back-country setting. Forest and spruce bog surround the lake offering a scenic and relaxing experience for paddlers and anglers.

Many of the campsites are spaced well apart from each other offering excellent levels of seclusion. Hemlock, balsam fir, and birch shade campsites closest to the lake, while mature hardwoods provide a high shady canopy for sites away from the lake. One small negative is that you will occasionally hear traffic noises in the background from Highway 52 to the south. The highway generally doesn’t get a lot of traffic, even on weekends and holidays, and for most, especially those from urban areas, this will not be an issue, but for others it is worth noting.

Overall, if you’re looking for a simple weekend getaway to unwind and relax, set up camp and read a book by a campfire, maybe swim, paddle, or fish on the lake, then this a great campground to consider.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE

There are 26, non-electric campsites available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, see list below). Site #8 is the campground host. Every site is partial to fully shaded with a fire ring, picnic table, parking spur, and a tent area. Campground amenities include drinking water (hand-pump) and accessible vault toilets. A sandy swimming beach backed by a sloping, grass lawn with tables and grills is at the east end of the campground. 10 sites are reservable and 16 are first-come, first-served.

Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access:
Sites 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7 are waterfront. These five sites are on a low, shady ridge near the lake with partial views of the water through foliage and tree trunks. Each has shoreline access. Site #7 is in a fantastic setting, shaded by young hemlocks with a spacious camping area for larger tents. Sites in the 20’s are set further back from the water, but are comfortably spread out among dense stands of balsam fir and hardwoods (21, 22, 24, and 26).

A carry-in canoe landing is next to site #1. The public boat landing is northeast of the campground near the swimming beach. The landing offers a gravel ramp, turnaround, and a small trailer parking area.

Richardson Lake is a Loon nesting site.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE
Trails & Places
Season

The campground is open from May through November.

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: 45.441867, -88.713833

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Campsites: 26
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 26
  • Tent Only Campsites: 0
  • Group Campsites: 0
  • Reservable Campsites: 10
Campground Amenities
  • Contact station kiosk
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Flush toilets
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Canoe launch
  • 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: Gravel
  • Campsite Spurs: Gravel
  • All sites are back-in
  • 25-foot max: 2, 14, 21, 25
  • 30-foot max: 4, 7, 10, 12, 15
  • 35-foot max: 5, 13, 16, 17
  • 40-foot max: 1, 3, 6, 22, 23
  • 45-foot max: 8, 9, 11, 18, 19, 20, 24, 26
  • Generators Allowed: Yes (6:00am to 10:00pm)
  • Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: No
  • Nearby Dump Station: 45.370400, -88.731433
    Forest County Veterans Memorial Park ($ fee), 14 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 45.30481, -88.55562
    Maple Heights Campground ($ fee), 15 miles away
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
  • Richardson Lake (48 acres, max depth: 10 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Boating (motorized)
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Panfish (abundant)
  • ⥾ Northern Pike (common)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (present)
  • Richardson Lake contour map
  • Lake Bottom: 20% sand, 10% gravel, 25% rock, 45% muck
Managing Agency
  • Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
  • Lakewood-Laona Ranger District
  • Laona Office
  • 4978 Highway 8 West
  • Laona, WI 54541
Local Gas & Services
  • Wabeno is 3 miles away
    (restaurants, supplies, convenience store, gas & services)
  •  
  • Laona is 11 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Townsend & Lakewood are 13 & 17 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Crandon is 16 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services)
  •  
  • Antigo is 36 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Distances are from the campground entrance.
    An asterisk* indicates an external link.