U.S. Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Wisconsin

Horseshoe Lake Campground

If you looking for an equestrian style base camp to explore area trails or a destination campground with plenty of room for your family, try the Horseshoe Lake Recreations Area located north of Ino, Wisconsin on the Washburn Ranger District.

More like this: reservable in Wisconsin · big rigs in Wisconsin · pets allowed in Wisconsin

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
site 7 from the roadsite 3 from the roadsite 9 from the roadSite 2 from the road
Photos courtesy of usda forest service · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups10
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFires
1Back-inNo / No8 / 2Yes
2Back-inNo / No8 / 2Yes
3Pull-throughNo / No8 / 2Yes
4Back-inNo / No8 / 2Yes
5Back-inNo / No8 / 2Yes
6Back-inNo / No8 / 2Yes
7Back-inNo / No8 / 2Yes
8Back-inNo / No8 / 2Yes
9Pull-throughNo / No8 / 2Yes
10Back-inNo / No14 / 2Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length45 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

The Horseshoe Lake campground features nine family camping units; one group site that allows up to 14 people. All other sites allow up to eight individuals and up to four vehicles. The sites here are not exclusive to campers with horses however, highlines are present at each campsite. Shared amenities include two vault toilets, two manure pit, and garbage service. Both back in and pull-thru sites are present. A parking area is available for visitors looking to ride the trails for the day. There is a $5 use fee for day use of the recreation area or you can purchase an annual pass.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Horseshoe Lake Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 0.99 inches of precipitationFebruary: 0.94 inches of precipitationMarch: 1.91 inches of precipitationApril: 3.12 inches of precipitationMay: 4.08 inches of precipitationJune: 4.19 inches of precipitationJuly: 3.96 inches of precipitationAugust: 4.27 inches of precipitationSeptember: 3.64 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.37 inches of precipitationNovember: 2.01 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.44 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 10.1°F averageFebruary: 12.9°F averageMarch: 24.6°F averageApril: 38.3°F averageMay: 51.7°F averageJune: 61.9°F averageJuly: 66.2°F averageAugust: 64.1°F averageSeptember: 56.3°F averageOctober: 43.1°F averageNovember: 29.5°F averageDecember: 16.6°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Clam Lake 4W, 8 miles from the recreation area point at 1,498 feet, station USC00471604 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 34 inches a year.

Getting there

AreaRecreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 46.25° N, 90.87° W. Call the office before you drive.

Good to know

  • OHV use is prohibited in the campground.
  • Please note there is water available onsite that is non-potable (not safe for drinking) so please plan accordingly.

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Redhouse

    15 mi from the campground · 22 acres

  • Wildfire
    Bog

    44 mi from the campground · 94 acres

  • Wildfire
    Black River

    46 mi from the campground · 300 acres

  • Wildfire
    Black River

    46 mi from the campground · 382 acres · 60% contained

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Explore

Video

Horseshoe Lake Campground Information and Tour with Great Drone Footage

Natural features

The terrain is gently rolling with a sandy loam surface ideal for horse riding. The trail weaves through towering pine and hardwood forests as well as through the area's open barrens. Whether you are interested in plants, scenery or wildlife, touring the trail with binoculars or camera can allow you to take advantage of fantastic viewing and photographic opportunities.

Recreation

Whether you are looking for a pleasant afternoon ride or an extended visit, the Horseshoe Lake Saddle Trail is a perfect adventure for any horseback rider. The combined trail loop length is 12 miles. Some distances overlap between the loops. Trail Length: A Loop 9.25 miles, B Loop 3.7 miles, Outside Loop 10.25 miles. So, if you like camping and horseback riding with scenic views of the forest, then the Horseshoe Lake Recreation Area is the place for you. Forest Roads are also open to horseback riding. The nearby Moquah Barrens provides a great place to ride, view wildlife, bird watching and berry picking in the late summer. OHV use in the campground is prohibited. Bring your trailer with your OHVs (ATVs and UTVs) and access the Iron River Trail from open OHV use roads.

Nearby

Forest Roads are also open to horseback riding. The nearby Moquah Barrens provides a great place to ride, view wildlife, bird watching and berry picking in the late summer. OHV use in the campground is prohibited. If you bring your trailer with your OHVs (ATVs and UTVs) you can access the Iron River Trail from open OHV use roads.

Guidebooks for Wisconsin

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Wisconsin
    Kevin Revolinski and Johnny Molloy, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Best Hikes Madison, Wisconsin
    Johnny Molloy, 2018
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-trails Michigan & Wisconsin
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Horseshoe Lake Campground?

Sites at Horseshoe Lake Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Horseshoe Lake Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Horseshoe Lake Campground have?

10 sites, including 10 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Horseshoe Lake Campground?

The longest site here provides 45 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 Horseshoe Lake Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Horseshoe Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Horseshoe Lake 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

What is there to do at Horseshoe Lake Campground?

Whether you are looking for a pleasant afternoon ride or an extended visit, the Horseshoe Lake Saddle Trail is a perfect adventure for any horseback rider. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation