The Franklin Nature Trail is part of the Franklin Recreation Area which features a scenic National Forest Campground with 77 campsites. Please visit the Franklin Lake Campground page for more detailed information. A brief description is below...
The Franklin Lake Rec Area Campground sprawls along the southwest shore of Franklin Lake (881 acres) and is one of the most popular family camping destinations in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The lake's clear waters offer excellent opportunities for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing. A high canopy of hardwoods covers most of the recreation area and campground. Oak, maple, and elm are common with a small number of old-growth white pines scattered throughout. Hemlock, balsam fir, red pine, and birch cover the shorelines of Franklin Lake and neighboring Butternut Lake.
Ancient archeological sites, 400-year-old hemlocks, and several historic log and stone buildings have placed this area on the National Registers of Historic Places. Three of the buildings are picnic pavilions and another is part of the Franklin Nature Center which hosts interpretive programs throughout the summer. One of the picnic pavilions is at the south end of the recreation area and sits on a small rise overlooking the lake. The pavilion offers fantastic views of the south shore and a small wooded island. A cozy picnic area with tables and grills sits nearby and the small public boat landing is steps away.
The scenic Lake Trail begins at the public boat landing near the south end of the rec area and follows the edge of Franklin Lake all the way to the end of the North Campground. The trail connects the boat landing with the picnic area, swimming beach, Nature Center, and all waterfront campsites in both campgrounds. Numerous openings along the trail provide panoramic views of Franklin Lake.
Franklin Lake is a Loon nesting site!