Bagley Rapids Recreation Area

Area Status: Open

If you enjoy listening to the soothing sound of flowing water, you will appreciate this campground. About one-third of the 30 campsites are located adjacent to the Oconto River. Trout fishing, berry picking, rafting, canoeing, swimming, and sightseeing can all be done in or near this campground. Weekends bring the most campers, with only moderate use occurring during the week. So come and relax among the pines and enjoy the sound and beauty of Bagley Rapids.

Nearby is the Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, a popular local tourist destination. This is one of the last fire towers standing on its original location in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It was built in 1935 and was one of a series of 20 towers built in the Forest during the 1930s. If you’re brave enough, you can climb the tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.

Also nearby is Cathedral Pines, an area that survived Wisconsin’s logging era where the majestic pines and hemlocks have been preserved in their natural state. General use at this popular campground is heavy throughout the summer, mostly on weekends. There are plenty of sites to see on the district and Bagley Rapids Recreation area can serve as a home base.

Did you forget something? Don't sweat it! The small town of Mountain can meet your camping supply needs ranging from groceries to firewood, as well as a souvenir or two.

So, if you like to swim, raft, fish, hike, picnic or enjoy being close to town, then the Bagley Rapids Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located just 5 minutes south of Mountain.

Find out more!

At a Glance

Reservations:	There are no reservable sites at the Bagley Rapids Campground. All sites are available on a first-come basis.
Fees:	Individual campsite fee is $15/night, payable at the self-serve fee station. 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.
Open Season:	May 2 - October 15
Usage:	Medium
Busiest Season:	Summer Holidays
Restrictions:	Campsite Capacity Maximum of 8 people and 4 vehicles at each camp site. Vehicle capacity limit includes vehicles, wheeled camping units and trailers. Pets and Animals Pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation areas. Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas. 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. Both certified firewood and Kiln-dried, untreated/unpainted/unstained/construction/dimensional lumber that is free of any metal or foreign substance is approved. Pallet boards are not approved. Operation of all ATVs & UTVs are prohibited in campground.
Closest Towns:	Mountain
Water:	Solar well & Hand Pump
Restroom:	Vault Toilets
Operated By:	Forest Service Volunteer Campground Hosts help manage the area and can provide visitor information.
Information Center:	Campground hosts greet visitors as they arrive, inform them of the campground regulations and assist them with their campsite. Lakewood-Laona District

General Information

Directions:

From Mountain, drive south 2.2 miles on Highway 32 to Bagley Rapids Road (FR 2111). Turn right (west) on Bagley Rapids Road and drive 0.6 miles to the campground.

General Notes:

Use at this campground is heavy during summer holiday, so come early in the week.

There are no electric site hook-ups at this facility.

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.

Boulder Lake Campground Trail – Peddle 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. Mountain bikers can access the 2-mile trail from several points in the campground. Click here for more information. (area is unavailable)

Lakewood Cross Country Ski Trail – The Lakewood Ski Trail winds through beautiful, wooded settings with rolling hills. The 25 kilometer main trail, known as the blue trail is continuous between McCaslin Brook Country Club and County F. Several secondary loops connect to the blue trail. In the summer season, mountain bikes are welcome, but are not allowed on the golf course part of the trail. Click here for more information.

McComb Nordic Ski Trails – Consists of six loops varying in length from 3.1 km to 7.2 km, a total of 32.7 km. The terrain varies from easy to difficult. A trail map is located at the trailhead. Click here for more information.

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. The trail system is located close to the Boulder Lake Campground. Click here for more information.

Road Cycling

Riding the backroads that wind through the forest is a popular daytime activity.

Campground Camping

No. of Sites

River and Stream Fishing

Oconto River Fishing Trail – The nearby Oconto River Fishing Trail is wheel-chair accessible with boardwalks that lead you to several platforms where you can either fish for trout or just rest or enjoy the scenic river. Three campsites are also adjacent to the trail. Click here for more information.

Day Hiking

Boulder Lake Recreation Area Trail – Located five minutes southeast of Langlade, the Boulder Lake Campground Trail winds two miles in length through moderate to easy rolling terrain. Hike up and down the ridges around a large open bog area. Click here for more information. (area is unavailable)

Cathedral Pines Trail – Located two miles west of Lakewood is a 40-acre grove of white pine and hemlock that escaped cutting in the 1900s. This short 0.3 mile trail is in relatively easy terrain and is also below 8% grade for accessibility. Click here for more information.

Chute Pond Overlook Trail – This short, moderately steep trail leads to the top of a rock outcrop that features five vistas. Three of the vistas overlook Chute Pond, one looks over a Forest Service tree plantation, and one looks north along State Highway 32 with Bagley Rapids on the west and Green Lake on the east. Click here for more information.

Jones Springs Area Trail – You are bound to see wildlife on this trail. Jones Spring is a 2,000 acre area managed for non-motorized use and offers several loops of hiking and groomed cross-country ski trails (for traditional style skiing). The area features three lakes. Fanny Lake has five walk-in campsites on the shore. Click here for more information.

Marantha Ski Trail – This trail is maintained by the privately-run Silver Birch Ranch and is a system of interconnected loops. Trail riding on horses is also allowed on this trail. Click here for more information.

McComb Nordic Ski Trail – A great place for a day hike during the spring, summer or fall. The McComb Nordic Ski Trails consist of several loops of varying length in gently rolling terrain. A trail map is located at the trailhead. Click here for more information.

Viewing Wildlife

Cathedral Pines Trail – Located two miles west of Lakewood is a 40-acre grove of white pine and hemlock that escaped cutting in the 1900s. Many of the large white pine in this area contain nests of the great blue heron. There are nearly 100 nests in this area called a rookery. You would be amazed at the noise these birds make during the nesting season which lasts from May through July. To reduce human disturbance we ask that you stay at least 300 feet away from the nesting area. This short 0.3 mile trail is in relatively easy terrain and is also below 8% grade for accessibility. Stands of hardwood trees as well as the pine and hemlock make this area a beautiful place to hike, explore, or just imagine what the early forest was like. It’s even witnessed a few marriage ceremonies. Click here for more information.

Waupee Flowage – This flowage was created to improve wetland habitat for waterfowl. Here you can view the scenic 100-acre flowage and spot eagles, osprey and a variety of waterfowl nesting, feeding, or just resting. The aging dam that created the flowage was replaced under a partnership between Ducks Unlimited and the Forest Service in 1991. Spring and fall are the best time to visit. From Mountain, take County W northeast for six miles to Grindle Lake Lane. Turn left (west) and watch for a sign directing you to the Waupee Dam. There is parking for three vehicles and a picnic area. The flowage is 50 yards from the parking lot and partially accessible to persons with disabilities. This is a stop on the Lakewood Auto Tour. (area is unavailable)

Bluegill Creek Impoundment – This impoundment consists of nearly 75-acres of sedge meadow and was created in 1999 to provide habitat for waterfowl through a partnership between the forest Service and many other organizations. This is a great place for hunting, trapping, fishing, canoeing or wildlife viewing. A barrier free access trail with benches is adjacent to the impoundment. Located three miles east of Quartz Hill.

Viewing Plants

Whether you are interested in plants, scenery, touring the trail with binoculars or camera can allow you to take advantage of fantastic viewing and photographic opportunities.

Viewing Scenery

Whether you are interested in plants, scenery, touring the trail with binoculars or camera can allow you to take advantage of fantastic viewing and photographic opportunities.

Cathedral Pines – Cathedral Pines is a 40-acre grove of white pine, hemlock and red pine that escaped cutting by lumberjacks in the 1900s. Located in the Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest’s Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, this dynamic and exceptionally scenic old-growth forest is one of the few remaining stands of towering pine and hemlock in Wisconsin. Click here for more information.

Mountain Fire Tower – Built in 1935 by the U.S. Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps the tower was once a part of an extensive lookout tower network in the former Nicolet National Forest. It was the first tower in Wisconsin to be placed on the National Historic Lookout Register and the National Register of Historic Places. The Mountain Fire Lookout Tower is located approximately two and one-half miles north of Mountain, Wisconsin off of Old 32. The public can hike to the top of the tower for a breath-taking view of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and Oconto County. Click here for more information.

Quartz Hill Hiking Trail – This trail has two sections, one located on the east and one on the west side of State Highway 32. The east section leads across a boardwalk to the top of McCaslin Mountain. It has moderately steep sections, but the view from the top of this quartz rock outcrop is worth the climb. Along the trail to the top, you will pass a quartz crystal deposit with an informational sign which describes how early Indians came here to quarry quartz to create their tools. The west portion of this trail leads to the site of the Carter Fire Lookout Tower. Once used to spot forest fires, all that now remains are the tower footings and roadway. Most fire towers on the Nicolet were erected in the 1930's and have since been discontinued as aerial surveillance took over. From Carter, take State Highway 32 south 1 mile. The parking area is on the west side of the highway. A sign with trail map is at the trailhead. To get to the east portion of the trail from the parking lot you must cross over State Highway 32. Be cautious for high speed traffic. Trail Length: The trail section to the east to McCaslin Mountain is 6/10 mile. The section to the west to Carter Tower site is 3/4 m

Scenic Driving

Lakewood Auto Tour – This 65-mile self-guided tour takes you in a loop around the Lakewood and Mountain areas. There are 17 stops which highlight wildlife, natural history and forest management and historic sites, including a stop at the Click here for more information. (area is unavailable)

Boating - Non-Motorized

Canoeing, kayaking, and rafting are some of the popular non-motorized water activities on Bagley Rapids Recreation Area.

Oconto River Canoe Trail – The Oconto River canoe trail offers areas of quiet water canoeing opportunities, interspersed with shallow rapids. Caution is advised near the Bagley Rapids area due to very fast water and rocky rapids.