Black Lake
Black Lake is highly ranked as a family-favorite campground. It is spread out along the eastern shores of its namesake, Black Lake. The calm waters beckon to adventurers, offering fishing, boating, swimming and other recreational activities in the northwestern Wisconsin wilderness.
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 · group sites in Wisconsin
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 22 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
| Group sites | 2 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
28 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Yes |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 3 | Yes | ||
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | ||
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 022, 024, 025 are listed accessible |
The campground offers dozens of waterfront sites for tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water, trash collection and recycling bins are also available.
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 31 |
| Forest | Chequamegon-Nicolet NF |
| Booking | Reservable sites include 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, and 29. |
| Fees | Individual campsite fee is $15/night, payable at the fee envelope tube at the site. Camping fees are $7.50 with use of Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Pass discounts apply only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder. |
| Rules | Campsite Capacity Maximum of 8 people and 4 vehicles at each camp site (as space allows). |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Hayward, Wisconsin, take Highway B east for about 23 miles. Turn left on Barker Lake Road, which turns into Forest Service Road 172, and continue for a total of 8 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 173 and drive less than a mile to the paved campground road.
| Nearest town | Hayward, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 45.9836° N, 90.9344° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireRedhouse
29 mi from the campground · 22 acres
- WildfireBog
47 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 | Outdoor Ventures ↗ | 26.5 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 32.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Black Lake Campground near Clam Lake, Wisconsin
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miBlack Lake3.9 mi trail · hiking
- 3.2 miFish Trap ↗24.9 mi trail · hiking, motorcycle, ATV, e-bike
- 4.9 miBlaisdell Hwt1.4 mi trail · hiking
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 Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
- inChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,005,629 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
Natural features
The campground is located in a birch, pine and spruce forest that stretches along the beautiful 129-acre lake, in the southern part of the Chequamegon National Forest.
Recreation
The lake offers plentiful fishing, with musky, walleye, bass and pan fish available in abundance. Kayaking and canoeing are also enjoyed by visitors, as the water is usually peaceful and calm. A variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, loon, fox and others, make their homes in the area and are often spotted by visitors. Hundreds of miles of off-road vehicle, hiking and mountain biking trails surround the lake. The Black Lake interpretive trail offers a 4-mile, in-depth look at the nature that surrounds the wooded shoreline. A grassy beach provides ample space to run and play, as well as a spot to relax.
Nearby
Fuel, fishing supplies, firewood and restaurants are within a 15-mile drive of the campground, in the town of Hayward.
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 Black Lake?
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 Black Lake?
Individual campsite fee is $15/night, payable at the fee envelope tube at the site. Camping fees are $7.50 with use of Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Pass discounts apply only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Black Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 2:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Black Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 2 to October 31.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Black Lake have?
29 sites, including 22 standard sites without power, 4 tent-only sites, and 2 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Black Lake?
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 Black Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Black Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Black Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Campsite Capacity Maximum of 8 people and 4 vehicles at each camp site (as space allows).
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Black Lake?
Sites 001, 022, 024, and 025 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. 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 Black Lake?
The lake offers plentiful fishing, with musky, walleye, bass and pan fish available in abundance. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Black Lake?
Hayward, Wisconsin. Fuel, fishing supplies, firewood and restaurants are within a 15-mile drive of the campground, in the town of Hayward.
Source: Getting there
What if Black Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Moose Lake (4.7 mi, partly first-come), Stockfarm Bridge (11.2 mi, partly first-come), and Day Lake (13.4 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby