Chippewa Recreation Area

Area Status: Open

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:
  • $15 per night for a single standard site or $7.50 with use of Interagency Pass.
  • $18 per night for a single premium site or $9 with use of Interagency Pass. Premium sites either have lake access or a paved surface.
  • $30 a night for a double standard site. Interagency pass discounts do not apply to these sites.
  • $36 a night for a double premium site. Premium double sites have lake access, and interagency pass discounts do not apply to these sites.
  • $5 for day use. Day-use fees are required at the boat landing and Perkinstown ATV Trail trailhead in the campground area. These fees do not apply to registered campers.
Open Season: May 20 - September 30
Usage: Medium-Heavy
Busiest Season: Memorial Day - Labor Day
Restrictions: Campsite Capacity
  • Single sites have a maximum capacity of eight people and four vehicles.
  • Double sites have a maximum capacity of 16 people and six vehicles.
  • Vehicle capacity includes vehicles, wheeled camping units, and trailers
Pets and Animals
  • Pets must be crated, caged, or on a leash less than 6’ in length while in developed recreation areas.
Firewood Closure Order
  • The firewood closure order prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting any firewood that originates more than 25 miles from your campsite. For more information, click here.
  • For current fire danger, check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources burn restrictions website. Any prohibitions in place, including fire bans, will be posted on our website and site bulletin boards.
Quiet Hours
  • Quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am.
  • The use of generators is not allowed during quiet hours.
Occupancy & Use Restrictions Operation of all ATVs & UTVs
  • The Rustic Loop (Sites 61-78) allows ATV and UTV operation between the campsite and the Perkinstown ATV Trail
  • ATV and UTV operations are prohibited in the Beaver, Bass, and Hardwood Loops.
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. 


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

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:

Parking

Paved 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.