Lost Lake Recreation Area

Area Status: Closed

If you are looking for a base camp to explore area trails or a rustic campground with a family atmosphere, try the Lost Lake Recreation Area off highway 70 west of Florence.

The Lost Lake Recreation Area on the Florence District consists of a campground with 27 campsites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings with grills, accessible facilities and drinking water from a pressurized system or hand pump.

Day use facilities include the 86-acre crystal clear lake stocked with brown trout, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass great for year-round fishing. No motors are permitted on Lost Lake. A boat access area, small picnic area, and a swimming beach are available. Do you enjoy leisurely walks? Here you will find many opportunities for scenic strolls amid the aspen and sugar maple. A one-mile interpretive trail through a stand of 150-year-old hemlock and pine is adjacent to the campground. Trails also connect to the Chipmunk Rapids Trail and Lauterman National Recreation Trail system.

Did you forget something? Don’t sweat it! The small town of Florence can meet your camping supply needs ranging from groceries to firewood.

So, if you like to canoe, swim, fish, hike, picnic or enjoy being close to town, the Lost Lake Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located 20 miles west of Florence. Lost Lake Recreation Area is pet friendly; See restrictions below for more information.

Read the Lost Lake Recreational Opportunity Guide: LINK

 

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 Reserve America 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.
Open Season: May 2 - October 15
Usage: Heavy
Busiest Season: Camping: Memorial Day - Labor Day
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.
  • Saddle or pack animals are allowed in recreation sites only where authorized by posted instructions.
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: Florence, WI. Visit the Florence Chamber of Commerce!
Water: Drinking water from a pressurized system or a hand-pump.
Restroom: Accessible 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. 
Operated By: U.S. Forest Service
Information Center: Eagle River - Florence Ranger District

General Information

Directions: Travel 20 miles west of Florence via State Highway 70 and Forest Roads 2450 and 2156. Lost Lake is one hour east of Eagle River via State Highway 70 or one hour west of Iron Mountain, Michigan via U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 7

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Enjoy the scenic views and some hilly terrain and offers good hiking while mountain biking on The Lauterman National Trail. For more information click here.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

The Perch Lake Trail circles picturesque Perch Lake. If you're interested in a secluded camping experience, this trail also passes five walk-in campsites with tent pads, tables, fire rings, and wilderness-style toilets. Or if you'd like to try fishing, the lake is stocked with bluegills and bass. Click here for more information.

Difficulty Level: Easy

The Ridge Trail is part of a network of trails that includes the Assessor's Trail and the Lauterman Trail. The Ridge Trail winds along the top of an aspen-birch ridge and along the scenic Pine River. Other portions of the trail pass through young aspen, spruce-fir, northern hardwood, and hemlock forest. Click here for more information!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Campground Camping

Lost Lake Campground is located on the north shore of Lost Lake in a maple, aspen and white pine forest. The clear, 86 acre Lost lake is stocked with brown trout, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. No motors are permitted on Lost Lake. The Lost Lake Recreation Area consists of a campground with 27 campsites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings with grills, accessible facilities and drinking water from a pressurized system or hand pump. Take advantage of our waterfront sites on the shore of the crystal clear Lost Lake.

No. of Sites 27

RV Camping

Lost Lake Campground is located on the north shore of Lost Lake in a maple, aspen and white pine forest. The clear, 86 acre Lost lake is stocked with brown trout, rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. No motors are permitted on Lost Lake. The Lost Lake Recreation Area consists of a campground with 27 campsites equipped with picnic tables, fire rings with grills, accessible facilities and drinking water from a pressurized system or hand pump. Take advantage of our waterfront sites on the shore of the crystal clear Lost Lake.

No. of Sites 27
Reservation Info Reservable Sites at Lost Lake Campground: 1, 3-5, 8-9, 12-14, 16-19, 23, 24 Reservations can be made at Lost Lake Campground. 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 Reserve America at 1-877-444-6777 or TDD 1-877-833-6777. 
Size Restrictions

Maximum RV/Trailer Length of Campsites at Lost Lake Campground:
(Back-in sites unless indicated below)

  • 30 Foot: 9, 18
  • 35 Foot: 2, 6, 17, 19, 25
  • 40 Foot: 1, 3-5, 7, 8, 10-16, 20-24, 26, 27
Fire Information Sites are equipped with picnic tables and fire rings with grills.
Pavement Type of Parking Asphalt

Cabin Rentals

The Lost Lake Cabins, located near the Lost Lake Recreation Area offers eight rustic cabins are available to rent in a remote forested setting. These cabins are located in a group setting and can provide a quiet get-away for an individual, family or serve as a base camp for fishing and hunting. Cabins can be rented from mid-May through mid-October. Rental fees are per cabin per day whether for one or six persons. Contact Reserve America at 1-877-444-6777 or 1-877-833-6777 (TDD) or at http://www.recreation.gov/

Lake and Pond Fishing

Anglers can expect to catch Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Channel Catfish, Perch, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and panfish.

Ice Fishing

Bundle up and walk out onto a frozen lake on a clear winter day with a sled full of fishing gear and enjoy the fishing. Anglers can expect to catch Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Channel Catfish, Perch, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass and panfish.

Fish Species brown and brook trout, channel catfish, and perch

Day Hiking

There are many trails that exist in the Lost Lake area. Many beginning in the campground and extending miles to other nearby trails. The Lost Lake trail loops the lake itself and travels through old growth hemlock forests.

The Assessor’s Interpretive Trail is on the east end of Lost Lake adjacent to the Lost Lake Campground. It winds through majestic hemlocks and hardwoods for a deep-woods experience. Interpretive signing along the trail explains the natural and cultural history of this area. One of the highlights is the "Assessor White Pine". Visit the trail, and you'll find out how it got its name. This trail also connects to Ridge Trail. For more information click here.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Enjoy the scenic views and some hilly terrain and offers good hiking while on The Lauterman National Trail. For more information click here.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

The Perch Lake Trail circles picturesque Perch Lake. If you're interested in a secluded camping experience, this trail also passes five walk-in campsites with tent pads, tables, fire rings, and wilderness-style toilets. Or if you'd like to try fishing, the lake is stocked with bluegills and bass. Click here for more information.

Difficulty Level: Easy

The Ridge Trail is part of a network of trails that includes the Assessor's Trail and the Lauterman Trail. The Ridge Trail winds along the top of an aspen-birch ridge and along the scenic Pine River. Other portions of the trail pass through young aspen, spruce-fir, northern hardwood, and hemlock forest. Click here for more information!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

The Sam Campbell Memorial Trail is named in honor of nature enthusiast, philosopher, and writer, Sam Campbell. It leads through a forest of pines, balsam, and hardwoods, and offers a variety of spring birds and wildflowers. A self-guiding brochure available at the trailhead interprets the area using the writings of Sam Campbell. A section of the trail leads to Wegimind Point and Vanishing Lake, a focal point in many of Campbell's writings and lectures. The Three Lakes Historical Society is a partner with the Forest Service in managing the trail. Benches are provided. For more information click here.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Viewing Wildlife

A variety of wildlife make their home around Lost Lake Recreation Area, including resident American bald eagles and loons.

Viewing Plants

Wild flowers, ferns, and shrubs are abundant along all the trails, especially during the month of May before the trees leaf out. Then spring beauties, bloodroot, and sessile bellwort are arrayed in huge patches along the way. Clusters and clumps of Dutchman’s breeches, squirrel corn, toothwort, false rue anemone, and trillium species (large-flowered and nodding) grow here too

Viewing Scenery

The Lauterman National Recreation Areas rich loamy soil supports a wonderful canopy of majestic old hardwood trees. The richest stands are on the south end of Porcupine Lake and in the flatter areas along its shores. Yellow birch, sugar maple, basswood, and hemlock are found throughout the esker area as well as rock elm, and hop hornbeam, both somewhat uncommon in this part of the National Forest.

Interpretive Areas

The Assessor’s Interpretive Trail is on the east end of Lost Lake adjacent to the Lost Lake Campground. It winds through majestic hemlocks and hardwoods for a deep-woods experience. Interpretive signing along the trail explains the natural and cultural history of this area. One of the highlights is the "Assessor White Pine". Visit the trail, and you'll find out how it got its name. This trail also connects to Ridge Trail. For more information click here.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

The Sam Campbell Memorial Trail is named in honor of nature enthusiast, philosopher, and writer, Sam Campbell. It leads through a forest of pines, balsam, and hardwoods, and offers a variety of spring birds and wildflowers. A self-guiding brochure available at the trailhead interprets the area using the writings of Sam Campbell. For more information click here.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Picnicking

Enjoy picnicking under towering white pine trees or in our designated picnic area.

Boating - Non-Motorized

No motors are permitted on Lost Lake, however there is a boat landing for to enjoy any non-motorized activities on the water. 

Lost Lake is on quiet water; Near moving water.

Canoeing, Kayaking, Paddling and Windsurfing

Canoeing, kayaking, paddling and windsurfing are many of the non-motorized water activities that are enjoyed on the crystal clear water at Lost Lake.

Swimming

Bring the family and enjoy the beautiful clear water at Lost Lake. There is also a sandy beach to enjoy on a hot Summer day.

Windsurfing

Canoeing, kayaking, paddling and windsurfing are many of the non-motorized water activities that are enjoyed on the crystal clear water at Lost Lake.

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

The Lauterman National Recreation Trail offers some hilly terrain and offers good cross-country skiing (traditional) opportunities. It includes three loops with one loop for beginning skiers. For more information click here.