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Moose Lake Recreation Area
If you really want to get away from it all, then this is the place for you. Moose Lake Recreation Area sits along its namesake lake on the Great Divide Ranger District. This serene lake and surrounding forest offer a spectacular location for families to enjoy nature on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
This small and semi-secluded Moose Lake Campground offers 15 campsites, 3 of which are tent only. The rest can accommodate RV's from 25-40 feet. Campsites may be reserved through recreation.gov. Each site is equipped with a parking spur, picnic table and campfire rings. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water, and dumpster is provided for registered campers only.
Moose Lake is a 1,670-acre body of water that is popular for fishing, boating, and swimming. Elk, eagles, loons and other wildlife are often viewed in and near the campground. This location provides access to a variety of activities, including miles of off-road vehicle, hiking, and mountain biking trails.
Bring your trailer with your OHVs and access the Fishtrap Motorized Trail from the nearby Camp Loretta Trailhead just 17 miles away. OHV use in the campground is prohibited.
Anglers will find an abundance of musky, walleye, bass and panfish in the lake. It is ideal for kayaking, canoeing and swimming. A sandy beach and a boat ramp provide convenient lake access.
So, if you like to camp, swim, boat, or fish, then the Moose Lake Recreation Area is the place for you, just 20 minutes east of Hayward.
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/night, payable at the fee envelope tube at the site. Camping fees are $7.50 with use of Interagency Senior or Access Pass. Pass discounts apply only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder. |
| Open Season: | May 5 - October 31 |
| Usage: | Medium |
| Busiest Season: | Camping: June - August |
| 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 please click here. Campsite Capacity
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| Closest Towns: | Hayward, WI |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| 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. |
General Information
Directions:From Hayward drive east on Highway 77 twenty eight miles to the intersection with FR 174. Turn right (south) and drive 1 mile to the intersection with FR 176. Turn right (south) on FR 174 and continue 5.1 miles. Turn right on the campground road and drive 1.5 miles to the campground.
From Loretta/Draper drive west on Highway 70 five miles to Highway B. Turn right (north) on B and drive 4.5 miles to Highway W. Turn right (north) on Barker Lake Road and drive 4.7 miles to the intersection with Fishtrap Road. Continue straight on FR 172 1.2 miles, turn left (north) on FR 174. Go 3.5 miles turn right (northeast) on FR 164 and drive 1.2 miles. Turn left (north) cross the Moose River and turn left (west) on the campground road. Drive 1.5 miles to the campground.
Activities
Road Cycling
Riding the backroads that wind through the forest is a popular daytime activity.
Campground Camping
Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings. Accessible vault toilets, drinking water, and a dumpster is provided for registered campers only.
| No. of Sites | 15 |
RV Camping
This small and semi-secluded Moose Lake Campground offers 15 campsites of which 4 are tent only. The rest can accommodate RV's from 25-40 feet campsites may be reserved through a campground reservation system.
| Reservation Info | Reservable Campsites: 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 |
| Size Restrictions | Tent Only: 1, 5, 15 Back in 25 Foot: 2 Back in 30 Foot: 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 Back in 35 Foot: 3, 7 Back in 40 Foot: 4, 13 |
Lake and Pond Fishing
Moose Lake is a 1,670-acre flowage that is drawn down each winter. Anglers will find an abundance of musky, walleye, large and smallmouth bass and panfish in the lake, and the clear water is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. A sandy beach and a boat ramp provide convenient lake access.
Viewing Wildlife
Elk, eagles, loons and other wildlife are often viewed in and near the campground. Extraordinary wildlife can be found nearby. Moose Lake Recreation Area offers many opportunities to view deer, waterfowl, grouse and many more creatures.
Boating - Motorized
A boat ramp provides convenient lake access.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Moose Lake provides visitors with opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and paddling.
Swimming
A sandy beach provides convenient swimming opportunities.
Location
