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

Laura Lake Campground

With two beautiful clear water lakes, undeveloped shoreline, and restricted motor use, Laura Lake Campground provides an exceptional camping opportunity.

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 ↗
BeachLAURA LAKE CAMPGROUNDLAURA LAKE CAMPGROUNDSite 25
Photos courtesy of USFS, Evan Miller - USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups39
Tent-only2
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 73 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

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

SiteTypeEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
01StandardBack-in50GravelFull8 / 1YesStandard
02StandardBack-in50GravelFullLakefront8 / 1YesStandard
03StandardBack-in38GravelFullLakefront8 / 1YesStandard
04StandardBack-in38GravelFull8 / 1YesStandard
05StandardBack-in60GravelFullLakefront8 / 1YesStandard
06StandardBack-in54GravelFull8 / 1YesStandard
07Standard54GravelFullLakefront8 / 1YesStandard
08StandardBack-in70GravelFull8 / 1YesStandard
09StandardBack-in60GravelFull8 / 1YesStandard
10Tent onlyBack-in65GravelFull8 / 1YesStandard

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

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length73 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
FeesIndividual 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.

Laura Lake Campground has 41 sites. A majority of sites can accommodate campers as long as 30 feet and longer. Drinking water, vault toilets, swim beach, picnic area, and a boat landing are also provided at this location. All roads are paved with blacktop.

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 15
ForestChequamegon-Nicolet NF
FeesIndividual 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.
RulesThe 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.

Chequamegon-Nicolet NF recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Laura Lake Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°70°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 13.9°F averageFebruary: 17.3°F averageMarch: 28.3°F averageApril: 40.4°F averageMay: 52.8°F averageJune: 61.3°F averageJuly: 65.2°F averageAugust: 64.0°F averageSeptember: 56.6°F averageOctober: 44.9°F averageNovember: 31.4°F averageDecember: 19.8°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Goodman Sanitary Dist, 9 miles from the campground at 1,448 feet, station USC00473174 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. The shaded span is the published season, May 2 to October 15.

Getting there

From Armstrong Creek, drive west 1.9 miles on Highway 8 to FR 2163. Turn right (north) on FR2163 and drive 4 miles to the campground. From Laona, drive north 14 miles on Highway 8 to FR 2163. Turn left (north) on 2163 and drive 4 miles to the campground.

Nearest townLaona, Wisconsin
Coordinates45.7042° N, 88.5068° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗28.1 mi
Outdoor gearEagle Sports ↗38.3 mi

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

Explore

Video

Waterfront camping at Laura Lake Campground in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest/f

  • 0.4 mi
    Laura Lake Nature Trail
    2.5 mi trail · hiking
  • 4.1 mi
    Mud Lake Hwt ↗
    7.1 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

Campsites are located on the southwestern shore of 110-acre Laura Lake. The picnic and swim beach are located on the adjacent 50-acre Gordon Lake. Both lakes have developed back-in boat landings.

Recreation

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Those most enjoyed at Laura Lake are fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and hiking the trail that goes around the lake. The area also provides a bike trail that runs along the old Lake 9 railroad grade.

Nearby

Laura Lake site has a 2.25-mile hiking trail around the lake and 6.5 mile bike trail. Both Laura and Gordon Lakes provide good fishing opportunities.

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 Laura 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 Laura 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 Laura Lake Campground?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Laura Lake 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 Laura Lake Campground have?

41 sites, including 39 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Laura Lake Campground?

The longest site here provides 73 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 Laura Lake Campground?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Laura 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 Laura Lake Campground?

FCC coverage maps show 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 Laura 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 Laura Lake Campground?

Laona, Wisconsin. Laura Lake site has a 2.25-mile hiking trail around the lake and 6.5 mile bike trail.

Source: Getting there

What if Laura Lake Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Morgan Lake Campground And Group Site (5 mi, partly first-come), Lost Lake Campground (12.8 mi, partly first-come), and Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area (13.2 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby