Lac Vieux Desert Campground
Lac Vieux Desert Campground is located on the western shore of Lac Vieux Desert, the headwaters of the Wisconsin River. Located in the northwest corner of the Nicolet National Forest, just miles from the Michigan Border, Lac Vieux Desert is one of the premier fisheries in the State of Wisconsin.
More like this: reservable in Wisconsin · big rigs in Wisconsin · pets allowed in Wisconsin
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 31 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
31 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 2 | 40 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 3 | 40 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 4 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | 40 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 6 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | 40 | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 8 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 9 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Partial | No / – | 8 / 4 | 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 |
With 31 campsites accommodating trailers from 35 to 40 feet in length, drinking water, accessible vault toilets, and garbage dumpsters provided, Lac Vieux Desert Campground may become your new fishing headquarters.
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 |
| Fees | Individual campsite fee is $15, or $7.50 with the use of an 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. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Conover drive north 5.9 miles on Highway 45/32 to County Road E. Turn right (east) on E and drive 2.8 miles to FR2205 (West Shore Road). Turn left (north) and drive 1.3 miles to the campground entrance on the right. From Land O'Lakes drive south 2 miles on Highway 45/32 to County Road E.
| Nearest town | Eagle River, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 46.1364° N, 89.1527° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBog
39 mi from the campground · 94 acres
- WildfireBlack River
42 mi from the campground · 300 acres
- WildfireBlack River
42 mi from the campground · 382 acres · 60% contained
- PrescribedPinto Rx
44 mi from the campground · 27 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 11 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Eagle Sports ↗ | 15.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Lac Vieux Desert: Headwaters of the Wisconsin River.
Trails nearby
- 2.1 miNfst-5014-A0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.2 miNfst-50141.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.4 miNfst-5014-C0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.5 miNfst-5014-B0.09 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.6 miNfst-5010-H0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 2.7 miNfst-50390.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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
This campground sits inside Ottawa National Forest.
- inOttawa National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,562,423 acres
- 5.8 miSylvania Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 15,237 acres
- 10.3 miBlackjack Springs Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,912 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
On the National Register nearby
- Big Sand Lake ClubBuilding · Phelps · 10.6 mi
- Forest Route 157–Tamarack River BridgeStructure · Stambaugh Township · 11.3 mi
- Mayo SchoolBuilding · Eagle River · 12.3 mi
Natural features
Sitting on the western shore of 4,017-acre Lac Vieux Desert, the campground and its sites are nestled amongst tall pines and maples, creating the perfect setting for a weekend getaway.
Recreation
With walleye, northern pike, musky, large and smallmouth bass, as well as a variety of panfish, Lac Vieux Desert is an angler's paradise. The campgrounds boat landing provides direct access to the lake for the early morning or late evening bite.
Nearby
The town of Phelps and the Phelps to Conover bicycle trail lie a few miles southeast of the campground. Other lakes in close proximity to the campground are North Twin, Long, Big Sand, and Smokey Lake, all of which are known to have excellent fisheries.
Guidebooks for Wisconsin
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
Sites at Lac Vieux Desert Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
Individual campsite fee is $15, or $7.50 with the use of an 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 Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Lac Vieux Desert 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 Lac Vieux Desert Campground have?
32 sites, including 31 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Lac Vieux Desert 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 Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Lac Vieux Desert Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE and AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
With walleye, northern pike, musky, large and smallmouth bass, as well as a variety of panfish, Lac Vieux Desert is an angler's paradise. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Lac Vieux Desert Campground?
Eagle River, Wisconsin. The town of Phelps and the Phelps to Conover bicycle trail lie a few miles southeast of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Lac Vieux Desert Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Imp Lake Campground (6.9 mi, first-come), Marion Lake Group Site (9.6 mi), and Sylvania Campground (10.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby