Anvil Lake Recreation Area

Area Status: Closed
Snow covered wooden fee station boards at the begining of one of the groomed ski trails in hardwoods

If you are looking for a base camp to explore area trails or a destination rustic campground with a family atmosphere, try the Anvil Lake Recreation Area off Highway 70 east of Eagle River.

The Anvil Lake Recreation Area on the Eagle River District consists of a campground with 18 campsites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, wheel-chair accessible with easy access to drinking water and vault toilets.

Day use facilities include a 377-acre lake with crystal clear water, swim beach, paved boat launch, year-round fishing and access to the Anvil National Recreation Trail, one of the most popular trail systems in the area, that includes hiking and mountain biking and converts to a winter cross-country ski trail.

So, if you like to swim, boat, fish, hike, picnic or enjoy being close to town, then the Anvil Lake Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located just 15 minutes east of Eagle River. The Anvil Lake Recreation Area is pet friendly; See restrictions below for more information.

At a Glance

Reservations: There are no reservable sites at the Anvil Lake Campground.  All sites are available on a first-come basis.
Fees: Campsite Fee
  • $15/night
  • $7.50/night with Interagency Pass (Access or Senior)
The interagency pass applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fees or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder's party. Day Use - boat landing and picnic area
  • $5/day
  • $30/year
This does not apply to registered campers.   
Open Season: May 2 - October 15
Usage: Heavy
Busiest Season: Camping: Memorial Day - Labor Day
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. 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: Eagle River, 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. 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. Pass information can be found on the Passes and Permits page of the website or the National Website
Operated By: US Forest Service
Information Center: Campground hosts greet visitors as they arrive, inform them of the campground regulations and assist them with their campsite. Eagle River - Florence Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From Eagle River

  • travel east 8.7 miles on Highway 70 to the campground entrance on the left (north) side of the road or the trails on the right (south) side of the road. 
  • Follow signs to the Anvil Lake Campground or Anvil Lake National recreational Trail parking areas.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

The Anvil Lake National Trail is a popular place to mountain bike in the spring through fall.

 A trail map is available at the trailhead or by clicking here.

 

Road Cycling

Bicycling on paved forest roads, or mountain biking on the Anvil Lake National Trail.

Campground Camping

The campground is located on the south shore of Anvil Lake. The lake has extremely clear water and has beach. A log shelter with picnic tables adds to the rustic character of this campground. Some of the campsites are wheel-chair accessible. 

RV Camping

No. of Sites 18
Reservation Info There are no reservable sites at the Anvil Lake Campground.  All sites are available on a first-come basis.
Size Restrictions Back-in sites unless indicated below: 25 Foot: 1, 13, 18
30 Foot: 12
35 Foot: 7
40 Foot: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11
Pull Through Tent: 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
Pavement Type of Parking Asphalt

Lake and Pond Fishing

Anvil Lake has extremely clear water with great fishing walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch and panfish.

Ice Fishing

Anvil Lake has extremely clear water with great year round fishing for walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, perch and panfish.

Day Hiking

Originally constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the system was expanded and made part of the National Recreational Trail System in 1978. The Anvil Trail system is adjacent to Anvil Lake Campground on the south side of Hwy. 70 and also connects with the Nicolet North Trail system, the larger Hidden Lake Trail System and to the Franklin Lake, and Luna-White Deer Campground via a connector trail.

This is one of the oldest and most popular cross-country ski trails in the Eagle River area. Trails are groomed for traditional style-skiing as well as ski-skating. Several loops are available over varied terrain from easy to difficult. There is also a snowshoe trail accessible from the Anvil #2 - Military Road trailhead. During the winter months, trail conditions are posted in the cross-country ski trail report.

Anvil is excellent for hiking and mountain biking in summer and fall. It is also a designated watchable wildlife area, especially for woodland warblers. A trail map is available at the trailhead or by clicking here.

Viewing Wildlife

If you want to increase your chances of seeing wildlife, head out early in the morning, right after sunrise. Anvil is a great place for bird-watching including the chickadees in the winter at the shelter along the ski trail.

Picnicking

The recreation area features picnic tables nestled under the trees. There is also a historic log picnic pavilion with picnic tables that can accommodate larger groups. There is a $5 recreation use fee for the picnic area. The Forest also has an annual pass available for $30. To learn more visit the Passes and Permits page. This does not apply to registered campers.

Boating - Motorized

Paved boat launch. There is a $5 recreation use fee for the boat landing. The Forest also has an annual pass available for $30. To learn more visit the Passes and Permits page. This does not apply to registered campers.

Boating - Non-Motorized

Canoeing, kayaking and paddling are some of the popular non-motorized water activities on Anvil Lake. 

Swimming

Come enjoy the swim beach at Anvil Lake, which is great for swimming.

There is a $5 day use pass for the beach. The Forest also has an annual pass available for $30. To learn more visit the Passes and Permits page. This does not apply to registered campers.

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

The Anvil National Recreation Trail is one of the most popular trail systems in the area, and converts to a winter cross-country ski trail.

Multiple loops ranging from 2 miles to 5+ miles. Most trails at Anvil are tracked for classic skiing. Tracks are not set on Devil’s Run. East, West, and Military trail are wide enough to accommodate classic and skate skiers. This trail system connects to the Nicolet North Trails.

A trail map is available at the trailhead or by clicking here.