Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)
With a 500-foot swim beach and the crystal clear lake, Spectacle Lake Campground is a family favorite. Come fish for a variety of gamefish species or hike the trail to Kentuck Lake Campground. This 2.5-mile trail utilizes part of the old Thunder Lake Railroad bed and is a pleasant hike.
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 | 33 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
34 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 4 | 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 | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
The campground offers 34 single family campsites, available for tent or RV camping. The campground offers both first-come, first-served campsites as well as sites which can be reserved in advance. Sites are equipped with tables and fire rings with grills. Vault toilets and drinking water are available throughout the campground.
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 15 |
| Forest | Chequamegon-Nicolet NF |
| Fees | Individual campsite fee is $18/night for lakeshore family sites; $15/night for off-lake family sites. Nightly fees are half of price shown with use of Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Interagency 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. Vehicle capacity limit includes vehicles, wheeled camping units and trailers. Pets and Animals Pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation areas. Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Eagle River, travel 7.6 miles to FR2178 (Military Road). Turn left (north) and continue 2.9 miles to Kentuck Lake Road (FR2465). Turn right (northeast) on FR2465 and continue 1.7 miles to FR2196. Turn left (north) and continue 2.2 miles to Spectacle Lake Road (FR2572). Turn right (east) and travel 1.2 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Eagle River, Wisconsin |
| Coordinates | 46.0114° N, 89.0109° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireBog
47 mi from the campground · 94 acres
- PrescribedPinto Rx
50 mi from the campground · 27 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12.9 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Eagle Sports ↗ | 13 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Mini Tour of Spectacle Lake Campground
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miSpectacle - Kentuck Lake2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 0.2 miSpectacle-Kentuck Lake Aunder 0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.1 miWhispering Lake1.8 mi trail · hiking
- 3.7 miBlackjack Springs1.4 mi trail · hiking
- 4 miAccess0.6 mi trail · hiking
- 4.6 miNinemile Creek Hwt ↗5.7 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
Blackjack Springs Wilderness begins about 3.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.1 miBlackjack Springs Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,912 acres
- 4.6 miOttawa National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,562,423 acres
- 10.8 miHeadwaters Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 22,047 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Big Sand Lake ClubBuilding · Phelps · 4.9 mi
- Anvil Lake Campground ShelterBuilding · Eagle River · 5.7 mi
- JabodonBuilding · Washington · 9.9 mi
Natural features
This campground is located on the east shore of Spectacle Lake in a mixed species forest at an elevation of 1,770 feet. The 166-acre lake boasts an enormous 500-foot-long sandy beach.
Recreation
The lake provides visitors with ample opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. Anglers can expect a catch of walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, panfish and trout. The lake is open to all types of boating, motorized and non-motorized. The Spectacle-Kentuck Trail extends from the campground along the old Thunder Lake Railroad bed all the way to Kentuck Lake Campground, approximately 2.5 miles away. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area and visitors are encouraged to keep watch.
Nearby
The City of Eagle River is located about 16 miles southwest of the campground. A variety of services and activities are offered in Eagle River 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 Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
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 Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
Individual campsite fee is $18/night for lakeshore family sites; $15/night for off-lake family sites. Nightly fees are half of price shown with use of Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Interagency 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 Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin) 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 Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin) have?
34 sites, including 33 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
The longest site here provides 40 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 Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
Yes, pets are allowed at Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin). Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
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.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
The lake provides visitors with ample opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin)?
Eagle River, Wisconsin. The City of Eagle River is located about 16 miles southwest of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin) is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Kentuck Lake Campground (2.2 mi, partly first-come), Anvil Lake Campground (5.8 mi, partly first-come), and Franklin Lake (6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby