Wanoka Lake Recreation Area
Wanoka Recreation Area is located off an ATV route that connects to local ATV trails and other open routes. Visitors may ride their ATV or smaller UTVs to and from the route. ATVs may not be used to drive around the campground for fun. ATVs need to be kept on their trailers or on the parking spur on the site.
Located approximately 7 miles east of Iron River, this campground is located on a 15-acre lake that has panfish and trout. Wanoka Lake Campground has 20 sites. Each site has a defined parking spur, fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad, and can accommodate RV's up to 35 feet. Please help to not increase the size of the area and keep all equipment on the parking spur. There are two pull-through sites. Drinking water and vault toilets are available. There is a carry-in-boat access.
Did you forget something? Don't sweat it! The small town of Iron River can meet your camping supply needs ranging from groceries to firewood. If you need an out-of-state fishing or ATV/UTV license, Iron River gas stations have these available for purchase.
So, if you like to fish, kayak, hike, bike or enjoy being close to town, then the Wanoka Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located just a short drive from Iron River.
Reservations
There are no reservable sites at the Wanoka Campground. All sites are available on a first-come basis. Holding sites for others is not permissible.
General Information
Camping
Wanoka Campground has 20 campsites. Each site includes a defined parking spur, fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad. Drinking water and vault toilets are available.
- No. of Sites: 20
- Fire Information: There are accessible fire rings at each campsite.
RV Camping
All sites can accommodate RV's up to 35 feet. Campsites include a parking spur, fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad. Drinking water and vault toilets are available.
Size Restrictions
(Back-in sites unless indicated below):
- Back in 30 feet: 3-8, 10-12, 14, 20
- Back in 35 feet: 9, 13, 15-19
- Back in 45+ feet: 1
- Corrals: RV up to 35 Feet
May 2 - October 31
Restrictions for all National Forest System lands can be found by visiting Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 261. 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 3 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.
ATV & UTV egress and ingress is allowed in campground.
Individual campsite fee is $15/night, payable at the fee envelope tube at the site. 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.
Address: 113 East Bayfield St. Washburn, WI 54891
Phone: 715-373-2667
Hours: Monday - Thursday – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 46.543178
Longitude: -91.283528
Directions
Follow US Hwy 2 East for about 7 miles and turn right (south) on Forest Road 234
Parking
Asphalt
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
Water Activities
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Hiking
Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
Picnicking
Scenic Drives
Biking
Outdoor Science and Learning
Winter Sports
Horse Riding and Camping
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
No motors are allowed on this 15-acre lake and there is no boat landing. There is carry-in access only for non-motorized activities.
Windsurfing Info
Canoeing, kayaking, paddling and windsurfing are some of the popular non-motorized water activities on Winoka Lake.
Fishing - Lake & Pond Info
There is carry-in boat access only to 15-acre Wanoka Lake, which has panfish and is popular with trout anglers.
Fishing - River/Stream Info
Fishing opportunities can be found at Wishbone, Clay, Reynard and Beaver Lakes in the nearby Rainbow Lake Wilderness Area.
Fishing - Ice Info
Fishing is popular year round on this 15-acre lake for panfish and trout. There is no boat landing.
Day Hikes Info
North Country Trail – The majority of the North Country Trail on the Washburn District is located on flat to gently rolling ground, marked with blue rectangular painted blazes except in the Rainbow Lake Wilderness. For those who don't want to hike the entire distance of the Trail within the Forest, here are some interesting places to hike on the trail within the District: Rainbow Lake Wilderness - This is a great hike in the fall. The trail passes by Wishbone, Reynard, Bufo, Rainbow, and Tower Lakes. Much of the trail follows old narrow gauge logging railroad beds. Lake Owen - The trail follows the north shore of Lake Owen for about two miles.
Valhalla Recreation Area – Hiking trails meander through hardwood and pine forests nestled amongst the tree covered rolling hills of Bayfield County in the Valhalla Recreation Area. The Valkyrie and Teuton Trails are popular in the summer and fall.
Backpacking Info
North Country Trail – The North Country National Scenic Trail is managed primarily as a long-distance hiking trail. A long-term goal for this trail is to have a continuous hiking trail from New York State to North Dakota. Many people enjoy hiking short sections of this trail or backpacking longer sections of the trail.
Picnicking - Single Info
Bladder Lake Day Use Area – Picnic under the trees at the Bladder Lake Day Use Area near Trail 31 (Iron River Trail) and the Moquah Barrens Wildlife Management Area. The area features great berry picking and a nearby beach area. Please note there is a $5 day use fee. Annual passes are also valid.
Horseshoe Lake Day Use Site - This day use site has parking for up to 4 vehicles; and 2 tables and grills for picnicking. There is a staircase that leads down to the lake.
Scenic Driving Info
Fall Color Auto Tours – There are three self-guided fall color tours beginning in Cable and three beginning in Hayward. Each tour is between 40 to 70 miles long and winds throughout both the Great Divide and Washburn ranger districts. Brochures are available at both the Cable and Hayward Chambers of Commerce that have maps of each tour as well as a narrative description of the route.
Biking - Road Cycling Info
Bicycling on paved forest roads is popular in the vast Moquah Barrens north of the campground.
Biking - Mountain Info
The Valhalla Recreation Area is nestled amongst the tree covered rolling hills of Bayfield County, Wisconsin. This recreation area encompasses both motorized and non-motorized trail systems meandering through hardwood and pine forests. The Valkyrie and Teuton Trails are primarily managed for cross-country skiing. During the off season, hiking, mountain biking, and geocaching are allowed.
Viewing Scenery Info
Whether you are interested in plants, scenery, touring the backroads and trails with binoculars or camera can allow you to take advantage of fantastic viewing and photographic opportunities.
Visitor Centers Info
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center – This beautiful building 2.5 miles west of Ashland has an observation tower, viewing platform, 100-seat theater, interpretive and historic exhibits and regional visitor information and trip planning for Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Center property is adjacent to the Whittlesy Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Signature bird species include migratory raptors, Bald Eagles, and spring warblers.
Viewing Wildlife Info
Moquah Pine Barrens – Gray wolf, black bear, red fox, plains pocket gopher, eastern bluebird, clay-colored sparrows, and eastern towhees make their home in this habitat. Prescribed burning keeps this area ideal habitat for Brewer’s blackbird, upland sandpiper, tree swallow, badger, and woodchuck. Maps are recommended for travel. If you want to increase your chances of seeing wildlife, head out early in the morning, right after sunrise. The animals are less skittish in the morning and are trying to warm up after the chilly overnight.
Interpretive Areas/Exhibits Info
Drummond Woods Interpretive Trail – This short 0.75-mile trail near the village of Drummond is relatively flat and easy to hike. The trail traverses through a northern hardwood forest and is a wonderful short hike to view fall colors, but don’t want to go a long distance. It has several interpretive stops with information signs at each stop. The trail is used for snowshoeing in winter months.
Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Boardwalk Trail – This short trail offers two half-mile loops with great wildlife viewing opportunities of birds, waterfowl, muskrat, frogs and turtles. The trail is open year-round, and visitors are welcome to walk, snowshoe or cross-country ski.
Viewing Plants Info
The Washburn District provides the avid wildflower watcher with some of the best viewing opportunities in Northern Wisconsin. Perhaps one of the most fascinating areas is the Moquah Pine Barrens. Wildflowers paint a colorful quilt of blooms that attracts native birds, butterflies and other wildlife. These hardy plants thrive in this sandy, arid environment.
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing Info
Valhalla Recreation Area – This ski trail network is centered around the Valhalla Chalet located outside of Washburn on Highway C. The Teuton cross-country ski trails are 10.2 miles of groomed trails for both classic & skate skiing. The Valkyrie trails are 11.1 miles of groomed trails for classic cross-country skiing. Snowshoes are allowed on Loops A, B and Little A.
Mushing/Skijoring
North Country Trail – Dog sledding is allowed on the North Country Trail except where the trail follows the Penokee Mountain ski trail. Trail Length: 27.5 miles on the Washburn Ranger District. The majority of the Trail in the District is located on flat to gently rolling ground.
Horseback Riding Info
Horseshoe Lake Saddle Trail – Whether you are looking for a pleasant afternoon ride or an extended visit, the Horseshoe Lake Saddle Trail 11 miles north of Ino is a perfect adventure for any horseback rider. The terrain is gently rolling with a sandy loam surface ideal for horse riding. The trail weaves through towering pine and hardwood forests as well as through the area’s open barrens.