Wanoka Lake Recreation Area

Chequamegon-Nicolet
National Forest

This popular family campground offers a fun camping experience in a scenic pine forest. The campground sits next to tiny Wanoka Lake (15 acres) which sits in a shallow basin surrounded by brush, hardwoods, and pines. A small sandy beach and swimming area with a fishing pier provide a fun and relaxing atmosphere for parents and kids to swim or go for a leisure float in a tube or kayak.

A maturing conifer forest shades the campground, and several red, white, and jack pines have massive trunks up to 5-feet in diameter! Some of the largest you will see in Wisconsin. Most campsites are covered in pine needles and their wonderful scent is present throughout the campground.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE

The campground has 20 non-electric campsites for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, see list below). Every site has a picnic table, fire ring, parking spur, and tent area, and is partial to fully shaded. Campground amenities include drinking water (electric well & hand pump) and vault toilets. All sites are first-come, first-served.

The campground is not far from US Highway 2 so you will hear light traffic noise in the background. It is not loud, and most campers won’t notice after a short while. The proximity to the highway also makes this is an excellent overnight camping spot for those on cross-country road trips.

Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access
None of the campsites are waterfront. Sites 1, 2, 3, and 5 are closest to the lake with partial views of the water through the foliage and footpaths down to the shoreline.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE
Trails & Places

Many recreation trails and tourism communities are within a 45-minute drive of Wanoka Campground including: the Brule River State Forest, Amnicon Falls, Copper Falls State Park, Morgan Falls–St Peters Dome, CAMBA Trails, Segments of the North Country Trail, ATV trails, and the Lake Superior communities of Ashland, Bayfield, and Washburn.

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: 46.542610, -91.281820

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Campsites: 20
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 20
  • Tent Only Campsites: 0
  • Group Campsites: 0
  • 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
  • All sites are shaded
RV & Camping Trailer Info
  • Campground Roads: Paved & gravel
  • Campsite Spurs: Gravel
  • All sites are back-in
  • 30-foot max: 3-8, 10-12, 14, 20
  • 35-foot max: 9, 13, 15-19
  • 45-foot max: 1
  • Generators Allowed: Yes (6:00am to 10:00pm)
  • Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: No
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.540430, -91.446985
    Top o’ the Morn Resort & Campground ($ fee), 10 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.336986, -91.259985
    Drummond Lake Campground ($ fee), 17 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.596048, -90.882042
    Kreher RV Park ($ fee), 21 miles away
Recreation Area Amenities
  • Swimming beach
  • Fishing pier
  • Kayak launch (from beach)
  •  
  • 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
  • Wanoka Lake (15 acres, max depth: 20 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Tubing
  • kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
Managing Agency
  • Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
  • Washburn Ranger District
  • 113 Bayfield St. East
  • Washburn, WI 54891
Local Gas & Services
  • Iron River is 7 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Ashland is 20 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Drummond is 16 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services)
  •  
  • Distances are from the campground entrance.
    An asterisk* indicates an external link.