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Laura and Gordon Lake Recreation Area
With two beautiful clear water lakes, undeveloped shoreline, Laura Lake Campground provides an exceptional camping opportunity.
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. Please note these lakes are restricted to electric motors only.
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 2.25 mile hiking trail passes through a forest of northern hardwoods, hemlocks, and balsams. Bring your binoculars as there are frequent observations of loons and osprey on this quiet lake, which is restricted to electric motors only. A bench is located along the shoreline at the half-way point. A short walk to the north leads to a small bog lake that you may want to explore. Look for the blue reassurance markers that designate this trail.
The area also provides a 6.5 mile bike trail that runs along the old Lake 9 railroad grade.
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.
Both Laura and Gordon Lakes provide good fishing opportunities.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | The reservation system provides visitors the opportunity to reserve their favorite spot during specific times, ensuring a place to stay, which will be beneficial to local users as well as users traveling from afar. Sites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov or by calling Recreation.gov at 1-877-444-6777 or TDD 1-877-833-6777. The campground will still have first come first served sites available for those who prefer a more spontaneous adventure. |
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| 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. There is a $5 recreation use fee for the Gordon Lake beach. This does not apply to registered campers. The Forest also has an annual pass available for $30. The USDA Forest Service honors all four Interagency Recreation Passes that may be applied at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife sites charging recreation use fees. |
| Open Season: | May 2 - October 15 |
| Busiest Season: | Summer Holidays |
| Restrictions: | Restrictions for all National Forest System lands can be found by visiting Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 261 by clicking here. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest specific restrictions can be found in the Occupancy and Use Restrictions for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Campsite Capacity
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| Closest Towns: | Laona |
| Water: | Hand pump |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Passes: | The USDA Forest Service honors all four Interagency Recreation Passes that may be applied at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife sites charging recreation use fees. |
| Operated By: | US Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Lakewood - Laona District |
General Information
Directions: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.
Activities
Mountain Biking
The Laura Lake Bike Trail located adjacent to the Laura Lake Campground this trail explores the woods north of Laura Lake and passes through a forest of northern hardwoods, hemlocks and balsams. The terrain is moderate, uneven and narrow with some exposed rocks and roots.
Campground Camping
Laura Lake Campground has 41 sites. Drinking water, vault toilets, swim beach, picnic area, and a boat landing are provided at this location. All roads are paved with blacktop.
RV Camping
A majority of campsites can accommodate campers as long as 30 feet and longer. Sites can be reserved online through recreation.gov.
| Reservation Info | Campsites may be reserved through the campground reservation system at www.recreation.gov. |
| Size Restrictions |
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Lake and Pond Fishing
Fishing is good for largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch, panfish in both the 110-acre Laura Lake and the 50-acre Gordon Lake. Both lakes have boat access and are restricted to electric boat motors only. Trout fishing opportunities are also nearby on the Peshtigo River.
Day Hiking
The Laura Lake Hiking Trail circles Laura Lake and passes through a forest of northern hardwoods, hemlocks and balsams. Bring your binoculars to observe loons and osprey on this quiet lake, which is restricted to electric motors only. A bench is located along the shoreline at the halfway point of this 2-1/4 mile trail that loops around the lake. A short walk to the north leads to a small bog lake to explore. Look for the blue reassurance markers that designate this trail. The terrain is moderate, uneven and narrow with some exposed rocks and roots.
Picnicking
The picnic area and swim beach are located on Gordon Lake.
Boating - Motorized
Electric motors only on the lake.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Canoeing, kayaking, and paddling are some of the popular non-motorized water activities on both Laura and Gordon lakes. They only allow electric motors. There is a boat landing at Laura Lake Campground.
Swimming
Enjoy the beautiful sandy beach at Gordon Lake, which is great for swimming.
Location
