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Chippewa Recreation Area
If you are looking for a base camp to explore area trails or a destination campground with a family friendly atmosphere, try the Chippewa Recreation Area off Highway M northwest of Medford.
The Chippewa Recreation Area on the Medford District consists of a campground with 78 campsites equipped with a parking spur, fire grill, picnic table, tent pad, vault toilets and drinking water. Campsites can accommodate RVs over 40 feet. Three campground loops have hot showers and flush toilets, and one loop has accessible vault toilets and running water. There is a rustic loop available for year-round camping however, the access road is not maintained during the winter months for snow removal.
Day-use facilities include access to the eastern shores of the 2,714-acre Chequamegon Waters Flowage as well as a swimming beach, boat ramp, playground, and trailhead for the Perkinstown Motorized Trail. A dump station is available for registered campers only.
So, if you like to boat, fish, canoe, then the Chippewa Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located 30 minutes northwest of Medford. The Chippewa Recreation Area is pet friendly; See restrictions below for more information.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | This campground mixes first-come, first-serve, and reservable sites. For reservation information, visit www.recreation.gov or call 877-444-677 (TDD 877-833-6777). |
|---|---|
| Fees: |
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| Open Season: | May 20 - September 30 |
| Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | Memorial Day - Labor Day |
| Restrictions: | Campsite Capacity
|
| Closest Towns: | Gilman, WI; services provided in Medford, WI. |
| Water: | Potable water for drinking water |
| Restroom: | Beaver, Bass, & Hardwood have flush toilets & showers. Rustic has vault toilets only. |
| Passes: | A variety of recreation passes are accepted. More information is available on our Passes and Permits page. |
| Operated By: | USDA Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Medford - Park Falls Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:Travel north from Medford on State Highway 13 for 4 miles. Turn left (west) on County Trunk Highway M for about 24 miles, then turn left (south) on Forest road 1417 for 1 mile to the campground entrance.
Parking:
Paved roads and parking
Activities
Campground Camping
The Chippewa Recreation Area is a modern facility on the 2,366-acre Chequamegon Waters Flowage. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. Garbage and recycling dumpsters are available for campers only. Some sites have water access or have paved sites. Sites with these amenities start with a P and are deemed as premium. Sites numbers that begin with an S are deemed standard and lack these amenities. Many sites are spacious, and some are over 45' long.
| No. of Sites | 78 |
RV Camping
The Chippewa Campground can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length.
General Info:
ParkingPaved roads and parking
Lake and Pond Fishing
The Chequamegon Waters Flowage has good fishing opportunities. A shallow boat landing is located by the campground, and larger boat landings are outside the recreation area. Some areas have special fishing regulations. Please check the regulations for the area you are fishing.
| Fish Species | Bluegill, crappie, perch, northern pike, bass, and walleye |
Viewing Wildlife
Chequamegon Waters Flowage is a great place to view waterfowl and other animals and birds which may be seen in and around the water.
OHV Trail Riding
- The Rustic Loop (Sites 61-78) allows the operation of ATVs and UTVs but only to go to and from your campsite to the Perkinstown ATV Trail
- ATV and UTV operations are prohibited in the Beaver, Bass, and Hardwood Loops.
Boating - Motorized
This lake is a motorized lake mainly used for fishing. As a shallow flowage with occasional stumps, it is not conducive to water sports such as tubing and skiing. A very shallow boat landing is located within the recreation area. Other boat landings are located outside of the recreation area.
Boating - Non-Motorized
The Chequamegon Waters Flowage is great for canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding around the curvy lakeshore. A very shallow boat landing is located within the recreation area. Other boat landings are located outside of the recreation area.
Swimming
A rock and sand beach area is located between the Rustic and Hardwoods Loop for registered campers only.
Location
