U.S. Forest Service · Chequamegon-Nicolet NF · Park Falls, WI

Sailor Lake

Rustic Sailor Lake Campground sits on the northwestern shores of scenic Sailor Lake. Its scenic views and secluded location make it popular for campers and explorers alike. The campground offers access to the lake as well as a beautiful picnic area and access to off-road vehicle 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 5 Sailor LakeA photo of facility SAILOR LAKE with WaterfrontSAILOR LAKESAILOR LAKE
Photos courtesy of USFS, Jonathan Buhler · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups22
Walk-in3
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

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

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFires
001StandardBack-in40GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
002StandardBack-in35GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
003StandardBack-in40GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
004StandardBack-in40GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
005StandardBack-in50GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
006StandardBack-in50GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
007StandardBack-in45GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
008StandardPull-through70GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
009StandardBack-in40GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes
010StandardBack-in40GravelPartialNo / –8 / 4Yes

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 length81 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

The campground offers about two dozen sites for tent or RV camping. There are no hookups available and parking spurs are either grass or gravel. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Some sites are secluded by trees and some are situated on the waterfront.

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

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonMay 2 to October 31
ForestChequamegon-Nicolet NF
BookingThis campground mixes first-come, first-serve, and reservable sites. For reservation information, visit Recreation.gov or call 877-444-677 (TDD 877-833-6777).
Fees$15 per night for a single site. $7.50 with the use of an Interagency Pass (access or senior). $30 a night for a double site. Interagency pass discounts do not apply to the double site. Day use is $5 per day for non-campers.
RulesCampsite Capacity Single sites have a maximum capacity of eight people and four vehicles. Double sites have a maximum capacity of 16 people and six vehicles. Vehicle capacity includes vehicles, wheeled camping units, and trailers. Pets and Animals Pets must be crated, caged, or on a leash less than 6’ in length while in developed recreation areas.

Chequamegon-Nicolet NF recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Sailor Lake10°20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.21 inches of precipitationFebruary: 1.05 inches of precipitationMarch: 1.76 inches of precipitationApril: 2.97 inches of precipitationMay: 3.73 inches of precipitationJune: 4.36 inches of precipitationJuly: 4.14 inches of precipitationAugust: 3.82 inches of precipitationSeptember: 3.91 inches of precipitationOctober: 3.52 inches of precipitationNovember: 1.99 inches of precipitationDecember: 1.53 inches of precipitationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 11.2°F averageFebruary: 14.8°F averageMarch: 26.7°F averageApril: 39.8°F averageMay: 53.9°F averageJune: 62.9°F averageJuly: 66.9°F averageAugust: 65.1°F averageSeptember: 56.9°F averageOctober: 43.7°F averageNovember: 29.9°F averageDecember: 17.6°F average0 in1 in2 in3 in4 in5 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Park Falls Dnr HQ, 10 miles from the campground at 1,525 feet, station USC00476398 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 34 inches a year. The shaded span is the published season, May 2 to October 31.

Getting there

From Fifield, follow State Highway 70 east for about 7 miles and turn right (south) on Forest Road 139 and continue for 3 miles.

Nearest townPark Falls, Wisconsin
Coordinates45.8431° N, 90.2772° W · Directions ↗

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Bog

    25 mi from the campground · 94 acres

  • Wildfire
    Ritchie

    26 mi from the campground · 13 acres

  • Wildfire
    Redhouse

    35 mi from the campground · 22 acres

  • Wildfire
    Black River

    43 mi from the campground · 300 acres

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

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearOutdoor gear ↗28.5 mi
Dump stationDump station ↗33.4 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Video of Sailor Lake, WI from Art S.

  • 0.5 mi
    Flambeau ATV Sailor-Solberg No
    0.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 1.4 mi
    Flambeau ATV 102 ↗
    4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 1.4 mi
    Price County Snowmobile-102a ↗
    5.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 5 more
  • 1.4 mi
    Flambeau ATV 121 ↗
    13.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 3 more
  • 2.3 mi
    Schmuland Hwt
    1.8 mi trail · hiking
  • 2.3 mi
    Nichols Lake Hwt
    3 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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The campground is laid out in two loops and situated on the shores of Sailor Lake at an elevation of about 1,460 feet. The sites are shaded by a mixed hardwood forest.

Recreation

Sailor Lake Campground is a favorite among off-road enthusiasts, offering direct access to the 70-mile Flambeau Trail System. The trail is highlighted by rolling terrain, tree-lined corridors, wooden bridges and vistas overlooking various bogs and lakes. It is a popular snowmobiling location during winter months. The campground is adjacent to 170-acre Sailor Lake, which is popular for boating and fishing. Anglers will find healthy populations of pan fish and northern pike. A boat ramp is located a mile south of the campground at the Sailor Lake Picnic Area. A picnic shelter is also avaialble at the picnic area.

Nearby

The campground is located approximately 11 miles southeast of Fifield. The city boasts a variety of tourist attractions, including historic sites, a reconstructed logging dam and a couple of war memorials.

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 Sailor 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 Sailor Lake?

$15 per night for a single site. $7.50 with the use of an Interagency Pass (access or senior). $30 a night for a double site.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Sailor Lake?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Sailor 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 Sailor Lake have?

25 sites, including 22 standard sites without power and 3 walk-in sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Sailor Lake?

Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Sailor Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sailor Lake. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Sailor Lake?

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. Campsite Capacity Single sites have a maximum capacity of eight people and four vehicles.

Source: Fire nearby

What is there to do at Sailor Lake?

Sailor Lake Campground is a favorite among off-road enthusiasts, offering direct access to the 70-mile Flambeau Trail System. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Sailor Lake?

Park Falls, Wisconsin. The campground is located approximately 11 miles southeast of Fifield.

Source: Getting there

What if Sailor Lake is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Smith Rapids (6.8 mi), Twin Lakes (12.5 mi, partly first-come), and Emily Lake Recreation Area (15.3 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby