Franklin Lake

Chequamegon-Nicolet Nf

Franklin Lake Campground is one of the most popular camping spots within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northern Wisconsin. Its unique structures built by the CCC land it on the National Register of Historic Places. The campground is in a beautiful setting, among tall pines and hemlocks, perched on the edge of the clear blue waters of Franklin Lake. In addition to its scenic landscape, the campground offers access to a variety of hiking trails.

The campground offers 77 single family campsites, available for tent or RV camping. The campground offers both first-come, first-served campsites (34) as well as sites which can be reserved in advance (43). Sites are equipped with tables and fire rings with grills. Accessible flush and vault toilets as well as drinking water, are provided throughout the campground.

Need to Know

• Hookups are not available

• Click here for more information on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

• Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

• Use is restricted to hardened area.

Natural Features

The campground is situated in a lush stand of mature pine and hemlock trees, at an elevation of 1,700 feet. Historic stone and log structures, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, are scattered throughout the campground. The adjacent Franklin Lake is 892 acres and boasts a beautiful sandy beach.

Nearby Attractions

The City of Eagle River is located about 15 miles west of the campground. A variety of services are offered there.

Recreation

The lake provides visitors with ample opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. Anglers can expect a catch of walleye, northern pike, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, perch, and bluegill, among others. The lake is open to all types of boating, motorized and non-motorized. Numerous trails exist in the area, with some beginning within the campground, including a 6-mile hike to nearby Anvil Lake. The 1-mile Franklin Lake interpretive trail is partly accessible and tours the forest of trees, with some over 400 years old. It leads to the 13-mile Hidden Lakes Trail, which loops south, around Butternut Lake, passing several small lakes with scenic vistas and a remarkable stand of old hemlock trees, then back to the campground. A variety of wildlife make its home in the area and visitors are encouraged to keep watch.

Contact Information

Mailing Address

U S D A FOREST SERVICE 1247 E. WALL ST. EAGLE RIVER WI 54521

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 715-479-2827

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

Drive approximately 8 miles east from Eagle River on Highway 70. Turn south onto Military Road/Forest Road 2178 and continue about 2 miles, to Butternut Lake Road/Forest Road 2181, and continue approximately 4 miles to the campground.

Available Campsites

• Site 051, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 058, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 041, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 050, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 025, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 076, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 042, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 073, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 035, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 052, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 047, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 014, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 068, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 069, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 038, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 065, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop South , Type Tent Only Electric
• Site 024, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 057, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 043, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 077, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 075, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 066, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 074, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 004, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 039, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 061, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 049, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 027, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 037, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 007, Loop South , Type Tent Only Nonelectric
• Site 016, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 060, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 044, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 054, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 071, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 010, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 045, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 056, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 046, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 053, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 059, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 003, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 070, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 012, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 055, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 015, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 036, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 067, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 002, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 064, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 063, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 040, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 001, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 018, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 062, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 072, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop South , Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 048, Loop North, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop South , Type Standard Electric
• Site 031, Loop South , Type Standard Electric

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