Richardson Lake Campground
Richardson Lake Campground sits on its namesake lake in beautiful Forest County Wisconsin. This campground's 26 sites are located on the south shore of Richardson Lake, well known to anglers for its bass, northern pike, and pan fish. Relax on the sandy swim beach or take in the views of the lake from the picnic area above the beach. Take your boat or canoe out on Richardson Lake in search of wildlife along the shoreline.
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 | 24 |
| Walk-in | 1 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 56 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
26 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 02 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 03 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | |
| 04 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | |
| 05 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 06 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard |
| 07 | Main Loop | Walk-in | 35 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 08 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | |
| 09 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | |
| 10 | Main Loop | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 2 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 56 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Richardson Lake Campground offers 26 campsites of various sizes that can accommodate tents and RVs. Drinking water, vault toilets, swim beach, and boat landing are also provided at this location.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May 2 to November 30 |
| 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. |
| 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
From Wabeno, drive north 0.8 miles on Highway 32 to Highway 52. Turn left (west) on Highway 52 and drive 2.4 miles to Richardson Lake Road (FR2880). Turn right (north) on Richardson Lake Road and continue 0.4 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Laona, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 45.4415° N, 88.7153° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Mel's Trading Post ↗ | 36.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Kings Campers ↗ | 58.5 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Richardson Lake Campground in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Full tour, pick the
Trails nearby
- 2.4 miATV Trail Lkln030.5 mi trail · hiking, motorcycle, ATV, 4WD and 1 more
- 2.7 miATV Trail Lkln020.9 mi trail · hiking, motorcycle, ATV, 4WD and 1 more
- 3.2 miLudington Lake (him-Rich) Hwt ↗5 mi trail · hiking
- 3.2 miATV Trail Lkln150.08 mi trail · hiking, motorcycle, ATV, 4WD and 1 more
- 4.1 miEd'S Lake Ski Trail Spur A ↗0.2 mi trail · snowshoe, ski · national_recreation_or_other
- 4.1 miEd'S Lake Ski Trail Loop C ↗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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Chicago and North-Western Land OfficeBuilding · Waubeno · 2.6 mi
- Connor Lumber and Land Company StoreBuilding · Laona · 8.7 mi
- Otter Spring HouseBuilding · Lincoln · 11.3 mi
Natural features
The campground lies in a lush maple dominated northern hardwood forest on the south shore of 47-acre Richardson Lake. Richardson Lake Campground is best known for its spectacular fall color.
Recreation
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Those most enjoyed at Richardson are fishing, swimming, and canoeing.
Nearby
The communities of Wabeno to the east and Crandon to the north offer some services and community events throughout the year.
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 Richardson 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 Richardson Lake 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 Richardson Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Richardson Lake Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 2 to November 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Richardson Lake Campground have?
26 sites, including 24 standard sites without power, 1 walk-in site, and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Richardson Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 56 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 Richardson Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Richardson Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Richardson Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest specific restrictions can be found in the Occupancy and Use Restrictions for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Richardson Lake Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Richardson Lake Campground?
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Richardson Lake Campground?
Laona, Wisconsin. The communities of Wabeno to the east and Crandon to the north offer some services and community events throughout the year.
Source: Getting there
What if Richardson Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Ada Lake Campground (5 mi), Bear Lake Campground (10.9 mi, partly first-come), and Boot Lake Campground (12.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby