Anvil Lake Campground
If you are looking for a campground with a family atmosphere or a base camp to explore area trails, try Anvil Lake Campground off State Highway 70, just minutes east of Eagle River, within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The campground is in a beautiful setting, among tall maples, pines and hemlocks, perched above Anvil Lake. In addition to its scenic landscape, the campground offers access to a variety of hiking and biking trails.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Wisconsin · reservable in Wisconsin · big rigs in Wisconsin · pets allowed in Wisconsin
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 14 |
| Tent-only | 3 |
| Host/management | 2 |
Site guide
17 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 8 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 9 | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
| 11 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 1, 2, 3, 4 and 12 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers 18 single family campsites, available for tent or RV camping. The campground offers both first-come, first-served campsites (8 sites) as well as sites which can be reserved in advance (10 sites). Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets as well as drinking water are provided at the campground.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 2 to October 15 |
| Forest | Chequamegon-Nicolet NF |
| Booking | There are no reservable sites at the Anvil Lake Campground. |
| Fees | Campsite Fee $15/night. $7.50/night with Interagency Pass (Access or Senior). The interagency pass applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fees or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party. |
| Rules | The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest specific restrictions can be found in the Occupancy and Use Restrictions for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Campsite Capacity Maximum of 8 people and 4 vehicles at each camp site. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Drive approximately 9 miles east from Eagle River on State Highway 70 to the campground entrance on the left.
| Coordinates | 45.9358° N, 89.0621° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Although the campground is not open during the winter months, the Anvil National Recreation Trail is groomed as both a classic and skate cross country ski trail.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBog
46 mi from the campground · 94 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Eagle Sports ↗ | 8.8 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
The Cottages at Anvil Campground Video
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miWest Trail ↗2 mi trail · snowshoe, ski · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.1 miAnvil West ↗1.9 mi trail · hiking · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.1 miNine Mile ↗2.4 mi trail · snowshoe, ski · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.1 miDevils Run ↗1.5 mi trail · snowshoe, ski · national_recreation_or_other
- 0.4 miEast ↗2.1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski · national_recreation_or_other
- 1.2 miMilitary ↗1.1 mi trail · snowshoe, ski · national_recreation_or_other
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Blackjack Springs Wilderness begins about 0.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 0.8 miBlackjack Springs Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,912 acres
- 6.8 miHeadwaters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 22,047 acres
- 8.9 miOttawa National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,562,423 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Anvil Lake Campground ShelterBuilding · Eagle River · 0.1 mi
- JabodonBuilding · Washington · 5.2 mi
- Everett Resort, TheBuilding · Washington · 5.6 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated in a stand of large sugar maple, hemlock and white pine trees, at an elevation of 1,740 feet. A historic stone and log picnic shelter, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is located at the picnic area. The adjacent 377-acre Anvil Lake is crystal clear and is a popular swimming site as the campground boasts a large sandy beach area.
Recreation
The lake provides visitors with ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Anglers can expect a catch of walleye, northern pike, bass, and pan fish. The lake is open to all types of boating, motorized and non-motorized. Numerous trails exist in the area, with Anvil National Recreation Trail leaving from the campground itself. From the Anvil National Recreation Trail, visitors are able to connect to the Nicolet North Trail, Hidden Lakes Trail, Franklin Lake Interpretive Trail, and the Luna White Deer Trail system. In total, this campground is connected to approximately 40 miles of hiking trail, most of which is open to mountain biking. It is well known among the ski community as it was once the site of USA Olympic training. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area and visitors are encouraged to keep watch. So, if you like to swim, boat, fish, hike, picnic or enjoy being close to town, then the Anvil Lake Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located just 10 minutes east of Eagle River.
Nearby
The City of Eagle River is located about 9 miles west of the campground. A varitey of services are offered there.
Guidebooks for Wisconsin
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Anvil Lake Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Anvil Lake Campground?
Campsite Fee $15/night. $7.50/night with Interagency Pass (Access or Senior). The interagency pass applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fees or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Anvil Lake Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Anvil Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 2 to October 15.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Anvil Lake Campground have?
19 sites, including 14 standard sites without power and 3 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Anvil Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Anvil Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Anvil Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Anvil Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest specific restrictions can be found in the Occupancy and Use Restrictions for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Anvil Lake Campground?
Sites 1, 2, 3, and 4 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 16 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Anvil Lake Campground?
The lake provides visitors with ample opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Anvil Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Franklin Lake (2.7 mi, partly first-come), Kentuck Lake Campground (5.6 mi, partly first-come), and Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin) (5.8 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby