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Boulder Lake Recreation Area
If you enjoy rustic camping, but aren’t quite ready to give up all the comforts of home, then the Boulder Lake Recreation Area is just for you. This campground features electricity at some sites, an RV dump station, three shower and flush toilet facilities, an expanded beach and amphitheater. Vault toilets and hand pumps still exist for those that prefer the rustic camping experience.
For groups of friends and relatives who wish to escape to a nicely wooded setting, Boulder Lake Recreation Area may be the best. All group sites are reservable. Six sites are available for small groups up to 16 people and four sites can accommodate large groups up to 30 people in addition to the 89 single family sites.
The campground has a picnic area, swim beach and boat landing. Fishing is good in the 362 acre Boulder Lake which has walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish. Several nearby streams offer trout fishing, too. The nearby Wolf River has opportunities for world class white water canoeing, rafting and trout fishing.
The campground also features a hiking trail. A wooden boardwalk begins your journey into another world of primitive bog vegetation, deer trails, squirrels' nests, and the workings of woodpeckers. Hike up and down the ridges around a large open bog area. The huge boulders you'll see are the calling cards left behind when the last glacier receded and formed the rugged terrain over 10,000 years ago. Campers can access the trail from several points in the campground.
If you plan to come on a summer weekend, get an early start! Even though this is the Chequamegon-Nicolet's largest campground, campsites fill up fast and reservations are encouraged.
Please note: Services such as showers, water fill stations, RV septic dump and other water-related amenities are shut down for the season at the end of September, depending on weather conditions.
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 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: |
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| Open Season: | May 2 - October 15 |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| 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: | Townsend |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| Restroom: | Flush and Vault |
| 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. |
| Information Center: | Campground hosts greet visitors as they arrive, inform them of the campground regulations and assist them with their campsite. Lakewood-Laona Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:From the intersection of Highways 64 and 55 in Langlade, drive south 5 miles on Highway 55 to County Road WW in Markton. Turn left (east) on WW and drive 0.6 mile to Campground Drive (FR 2116). Turn left (north) on Campground Drive and continue 1.2 miles to the campground.
From Keshena, drive north 20 miles on Highway 55 to Markton. Turn right (east) on County Road WW and drive 0.6 mile to Campground Drive (FR 2116). Turn left (north) on Campground Drive and continue 1.2 miles to the campground.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Riding a mountain bike off-road, over rough terrain that includes rocks, roots, ruts, sand or mud is a popular activity throughout the entire forest. There are plenty of backroads and old logging roads spread across the District.
Campers can ride down Boulder Lake Road to the trailhead and jump on the Nicolet Roche Trail. Ride over the giant boulders that dot the floor of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northeastern Wisconsin. Beyond the boulders you’ll find some steep sections with both climbs and drops as you meander through the wooded countryside. Click here for more information the Nicolet Roche Trail.
Road Cycling
Riding the backroads that wind through the forest is a popular daytime activity.
Campground Camping
The campground has shower buildings and flush toilets. Electrical hookups are available on sites 9-16 and 40- 54. Vault toilets and hand pumps are also available. Six sites are available for small groups up to 16 people and four sites can accommodate large groups up to 30 people.
RV Camping
A majority of campsites can accommodate campers as long as 30 feet and longer. Some sites are on a first-come basis. There are 35 reservable sites. There is also a dump station available.
| No. of Sites | 99 |
| Reservation Info | Campsites may be reserved through the campground reservation system at www.recreation.gov. Reservable sites: 40, 42-54, 66, 68, 81-89, Maple, Elm, Cherry, Birch, Oak, Ash, Spruce, Hemlock, Cedar and Balsam. |
| Size Restrictions |
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| Dump Stations | Yes |
Group Camping
All group sites are reservable. Six sites are available for small groups up to 16 people and four sites can accommodate large groups up to 30 people.
Lake and Pond Fishing
Fishing on the 362-acre Boulder Lake may net you walleye, northern pike, bass or panfish. There is a paved boat ramp at the campground parking for 20 vehicles. This spring fed lake is 11 feet deep.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is also popular here and the boat landing and parking area are plowed in winter for your convenience.
Day Hiking
A wooden boardwalk begins your journey into another world of primitive bog vegetation, deer trails, squirrels' nests, and the workings of woodpeckers. Hike up and down the ridges around a large open bog area. The huge boulders you'll see are the calling cards left behind when the last glacier receded and formed the rugged terrain over 10,000 years ago. Campers can access the trail from several points in the campground.
Boating - Motorized
There is a paved boat ramp at the Boulder Lake Campground with parking for up to 16-20 stalls. This spring fed lake is 11 feet deep.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Canoeing, kayaking, paddling are some of the popular non-motorized water activities on Boulder Lake.
Swimming
Enjoy the swim beach at Boulder Lake, which is great for swimming.
Tubing
Water Skiing and tubing are a few of the motorized water activities that Boulder Lake Recreation Area has to offer.
Waterskiing
Water Skiing and tubing are a few of the motorized water activities that Boulder Lake Recreation Area has to offer.