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

Lost Lake Campground

Lost Lake Campground is located in northeastern Wisconsin on the north shore of Lost Lake in a maple, aspen and white pine forest. The clear, 86-acre lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. No motors are permitted on Lost Lake. The Assessor's Nature Trail, which passes through a 150-year old hemlock and white pine stand, is located adjacent to the campground. The 3.3-mile-long Ridge Trail is also accessed from the trailhead adjacent to the campground. This trail links Lost Lake to Chipmunk Rapids Campground and the Lauterman National Recreation Trail.

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 ↗
Lost LakeLOST LAKE CAMPGROUNDLOST LAKE CAMPGROUNDLOST LAKE CAMPGROUND
Photos via Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups27
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 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

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

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadeWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
001Back-in40GravelPartial8 / 4YesStandard
002Back-in35GravelPartial8 / 4YesStandard
003Back-in40GravelPartialLakefront8 / 4YesPrime
004Back-in40GravelPartialLakefront8 / 4YesPrime
005Back-in40GravelPartial8 / 4YesStandard
006Back-in35GravelPartialLakefront8 / 4YesPrime
007Back-in40GravelPartial8 / 4YesStandard
008Back-in40GravelPartialLakefront8 / 4YesPrime
009Back-in30GravelPartialLakefront8 / 4YesPrime
010Back-in40GravelPartialLakefront8 / 4YesPrime

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 length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
Tent padsYes

The campground offers 27 single family campsites, available for tent and 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 are available at the site, as well as drinking water, from a pressurized system or a hand-pump.

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/night. 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.
RulesCampsite 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.

Chequamegon-Nicolet NF recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Lost Lake Campground10°20°30°40°50°60°70°January: 1.09 inches of precipitation, 14.6 inches of snowFebruary: 0.96 inches of precipitation, 12.5 inches of snowMarch: 1.49 inches of precipitation, 8.7 inches of snowApril: 2.55 inches of precipitation, 7.4 inches of snowMay: 3.17 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowJune: 4.00 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.15 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.10 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 3.48 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.32 inches of precipitation, 2.1 inches of snowNovember: 1.76 inches of precipitation, 8.2 inches of snowDecember: 1.46 inches of precipitation, 13.6 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 10.7°F averageFebruary: 12.8°F averageMarch: 23.1°F averageApril: 36.9°F averageMay: 50.6°F averageJune: 60.1°F averageJuly: 63.7°F averageAugust: 61.5°F averageSeptember: 54.0°F averageOctober: 41.8°F averageNovember: 29.2°F averageDecember: 17.4°F average0 in5 in10 in15 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Stambaugh 2Sse, 12 miles from the campground at 1,450 feet, station USC00207812 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 31 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 67 inches a year on the same inches scale. The shaded span is the published season, May 2 to October 15.

Getting there

From Florence, travel west 17 miles on STH 70 to the intersection with FR2450 (Dream Lake Road). Turn left (south) on FR2450 and drive 1 mile to FR2156 (Chipmunk Rapids Road). Continue straight 2.9 miles on FR2156 to the campground.

Nearest townEagle River, Wisconsin
Coordinates45.8852° N, 88.5623° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Please note, this is Lost Lake Campground located in northern Wisconsin on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗16.4 mi
Outdoor gearEagle Sports ↗32.8 mi

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

Explore

Video

(4K UHD) REVIEWING EACH CAMPSITE @ Lost Lake Campground! | Willamette National Forest Cent

  • 0.2 mi
    Lost Lake
    1.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 0.4 mi
    Assessor'S Interpretive Trail
    1 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 0.6 mi
    Ridge
    4.2 mi trail · hiking
  • 0.7 mi
    Chipmunk ↗
    1.7 mi trail · snowshoe, ski · national_recreation_or_other
  • 1.9 mi
    ATV Trail Erfl01 ↗
    4.8 mi trail · hiking, motorcycle, ATV, e-bike
  • 2.1 mi
    Little Porky A ↗
    0.5 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.

Public land it sits in

On Wilderness Atlas →

Whisker Lake Wilderness begins about 5.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.

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.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The campground is situated on the shore of crystal clear Lost Lake in a stand of maple, aspen and towering white pine trees. Lost Lake, at 86 acres, offers a relaxing paddle as no motors are allowed on this lake. A sandy beach area is available to enjoy the water.

Recreation

The lake provides opportunities for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. Anglers can expect to catch bass, trout and panfish. No motors are allowed on the lake including electric motors. Numerous trails exist in the area, many beginning in the campground and extending miles to other trail systems. The Lost Lake trail loops the lake itself and travels through old growth hemlock forests. The Assessor's Nature Trail also extends from the campground and provides views of 150-year old pine stands. The Ridge trail extends from Lost Lake Campground to Chipmunk Rapids Campground and eventually on to the Lauterman National Recreation Trail. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area, including resident American bald eagles and loons. The sounds of your visit will not be soon forgotten.

Nearby

The Town of Florence is located east of the campground approximately 20 miles. Florence offers a variety of services and visitor information.

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 Lost 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 Lost Lake Campground?

Individual campsite fee is $15/night. 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 Lost Lake Campground?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Lost 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 Lost Lake Campground have?

27 sites, including 27 standard sites without power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Lost Lake Campground?

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 Lost Lake Campground?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Lost Lake Campground?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Campsite Capacity Maximum of 8 people and 4 vehicles at each camp site.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Lost Lake Campground?

The lake provides opportunities for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Lost Lake Campground?

Eagle River, Wisconsin. The Town of Florence is located east of the campground approximately 20 miles.

Source: Getting there

What if Lost Lake Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area (0.6 mi, first-come), Stevens Lake Campground (7.7 mi), and Morgan Lake Campground And Group Site (7.8 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby