Kentuck Lake Recreation Area
If you are looking for a base camp to explore area trails or enjoy a variety of water activities with the family, try Kentuck Lake Recreation Area off Highway 70 east of Eagle River.
The Kentuck Lake Recreation Area on the Eagle River-Florence Ranger District consists of a convenient campground with 31 campsites equipped with fire rings, grills, and picnic tables. The area features some accessible sites/facilities and paved roadways. There is also a pressurized water system available for drinking water.
Day use facilities include a 955-acre lake, paved boat launch, year-round fishing and access to many area trails. Enjoy a scenic 2.5 mile (5 mile round trip) hiking trail connecting Kentuck to Spectacle Lake campgrounds. In the spring, get up early and go birding or try your hand at identifying wildflowers along the trail.
Boat, fish, hike, picnic or enjoy viewing scenery and wildlife, then the Kentuck Lake Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located 15 minutes east of Eagle River. Kentuck Lake recreation area is dog friendly; see our restrictions below for more information.
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.
General Information
Camping
Early settlers from Kentucky gave the name to Kentuck Lake. Kentuck Lake Campground is located on the east shore of Kentuck Lake in a maple stand. The Kentuck Lake Recreation Area consists of a convenient campground with 31 campsites equipped with fire rings, grills and picnic tables. There is also a pressurized water system available for drinking water. Enjoy the view from one of our waterfront sites.
RV Camping
- Reservable sites at Kentuck Lake Campground: 2-3, 6, 8-9, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23-31
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. Size Restrictions
Maximum RV/Trailer Length of Campsites at Kentuck Lake Campground:
(Back-in sites unless indicated below)- 25 Foot: 17, 21, 23, 25-28, 31
- 30 Foot: 1, 12, 16, 29, 30
- 35 Foot: 2, 5, 13, 24
- 40 Foot: 3, 4, 6-11, 14, 15, 18, 22
- Pull Through Tent: 19, 20
- Pavement Type of Parking: Asphalt Parking Lot
May 2 - November 30
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 on the Orders of the Forest Supervisor page.
Campsite Capacity
- Maximum of 8 people and 4 vehicles at each camp site.
- Vehicle capacity limit includes vehicles, wheeled camping units and trailers.
Firewood Closure Order
- Our firewood closure order prohibits the possession, storage, or transport of any firewood that originates from more than 25 miles from your campsite. Firewood certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Transportation and Consumer Protection can originate from more than 25 miles from National Forest destination.
- Pallet boards are not approved.
Operation of all ATVs & UTVs are prohibited in campground.
Individual campsite fee is $18, or $9 with the use of an Interagency pass (access or senior) for lakeside sites and $15, or $7.50 for non-lakeside sites. 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 boat landing. The Forest also has an annual pass available for $30. This does not apply to registered campers.
Address: 1247 E. Wall St. Eagle River, WI 54521
Phone: 715-479-2827
Hours: Monday - Friday – 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 45.9922
Longitude: -88.9803
Directions
From Eagle Rive:
- Travel east 13.4 miles on Highway 70 to FR 2176 (Divide Road).
- Turn left (north) on FR 2176
- Continue 2.7 miles to the campground.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are not available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Fishing - Lake & Pond Info
The 955-acre lake is popular with anglers and recreationists alike.
Great fishing for musky, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and perch.
Day Hikes Info
The Spectacle – Kentuck Lake Trail is a trail between the two campgrounds and is a great option if you are camping at either area. Get up early and go birding or try your hand at identifying wildflowers along the trail. It's a one-way trail so you'll return over the same route.
Boating - Motorized Info
There is a paved boat landing at Kentuck Lake.
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
Canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are popular water activities at Kentuck Lake.
Scenic Driving Info
The Natural History Auto Tour was created to highlight the variety of scenic and historic points of interest in the Eagle River Ranger District area. You'll experience a varied, forested landscape and a number of historic spots with informational signs along the way.