Boulder Lake Recreation Area

Area Status: Closed
Campground Site Map: Boulder Lake Campground

If you enjoy rustic camping, but aren’t quite ready to give up all the comforts of home, then the Boulder Lake Recreation Area is just for you. This campground features electricity at some sites, an RV dump station, three shower and flush toilet facilities, an expanded beach and amphitheater. Vault toilets and hand pumps still exist for those that prefer the rustic camping experience.

For groups of friends and relatives who wish to escape to a nicely wooded setting, Boulder Lake Recreation Area may be the best. All group sites are reservable. Six sites are available for small groups up to 16 people and four sites can accommodate large groups up to 30 people in addition to the 89 single family sites.

The campground has a picnic area, swim beach and boat landing. Fishing is good in the 362 acre Boulder Lake which has walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish. Several nearby streams offer trout fishing, too. The nearby Wolf River has opportunities for world class white water canoeing, rafting and trout fishing.

The campground also features a hiking trail. A wooden boardwalk begins your journey into another world of primitive bog vegetation, deer trails, squirrels' nests, and the workings of woodpeckers. Hike up and down the ridges around a large open bog area. The huge boulders you'll see are the calling cards left behind when the last glacier receded and formed the rugged terrain over 10,000 years ago. Campers can access the trail from several points in the campground.

If you plan to come on a summer weekend, get an early start! Even though this is the Chequamegon-Nicolet's largest campground, campsites fill up fast and reservations are encouraged.

Please note: Services such as showers, water fill stations, RV septic dump and other water-related amenities are shut down for the season at the end of September, depending on weather conditions.

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 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.
Fees:
  • Single-family sites $18/night w/o electricity; $9 with the use of an Interagency pass (access or senior)
  • Single-family sites $28/night with electricity (sites 9-16 and 40-54); $19 with the use of an Interagency pass (access or senior)
  • Group Sites $60/night for small groups (6-16 people); Large group sites are $75/night (16-30 people)
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.
Open Season: May 2 - October 15
Usage: Heavy
Busiest Season: Summer holidays
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 family camp site.
  • Maximum of 16 people at small group sites.
  • Maximum of 30 people at large group sites.
  • 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:  Townsend
Water: Drinking Water
Restroom: Flush and Vault
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. 
Information Center: Campground hosts greet visitors as they arrive, inform them of the campground regulations and assist them with their campsite. Lakewood-Laona Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From the intersection of Highways 64 and 55 in Langlade, drive south 5 miles on Highway 55 to County Road WW in Markton. Turn left (east) on WW and drive 0.6 mile to Campground Drive (FR 2116). Turn left (north) on Campground Drive and continue 1.2 miles to the campground.

From Keshena, drive north 20 miles on Highway 55 to Markton. Turn right (east) on County Road WW and drive 0.6 mile to Campground Drive (FR 2116). Turn left (north) on Campground Drive and continue 1.2 miles to the campground.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Riding a mountain bike off-road, over rough terrain that includes rocks, roots, ruts, sand or mud is a popular activity throughout the entire forest.  There are plenty of backroads and old logging roads spread across the District.

Campers can ride down Boulder Lake Road to the trailhead and jump on the Nicolet Roche Trail. Ride over the giant boulders that dot the floor of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northeastern Wisconsin. Beyond the boulders you’ll find some steep sections with both climbs and drops as you meander through the wooded countryside. Click here for more information the Nicolet Roche Trail.

Road Cycling

Riding the backroads that wind through the forest is a popular daytime activity.

Campground Camping

The campground has shower buildings and flush toilets. Electrical hookups are available on sites 9-16 and 40- 54. Vault toilets and hand pumps are also available. Six sites are available for small groups up to 16 people and four sites can accommodate large groups up to 30 people.

RV Camping

A majority of campsites can accommodate campers as long as 30 feet and longer. Some sites are on a first-come basis.  There are 35 reservable sites.  There is also a dump station available.

No. of Sites 99
Reservation Info Campsites may be reserved through the campground reservation system at www.recreation.gov. Reservable sites: 40, 42-54, 66, 68, 81-89, Maple, Elm, Cherry, Birch, Oak, Ash, Spruce, Hemlock, Cedar and Balsam.
Size Restrictions
  • Back in 25 feet: 42, 74
  • Back in 30 feet: 19, 66, 69, 72, 89
  • Back in 35 feet: 2, 7, 17, 40, 46-49, 51, 54, 70
  • Back in 40 feet: 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 20, 23, 27, 30, 31, 32, 34-38, 50, 53, 55, 57-60, 62, 65, 84
  • Back in 45+ feet: 1, 3, 9, 10, 11, 13-16, 18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28 29, 33, 39, 41, 43, 44, 45, 52, 56, 61, 63, 64, 67, 68, 71, 73, 75-83, 85-88, Birch, Elm, and Maple
  • Pull through 45+ feet: Ash, Cherry, Oak, Balsam, Cedar, Hemlock, and Spruce
Dump Stations Yes

Group Camping

All group sites are reservable. Six sites are available for small groups up to 16 people and four sites can accommodate large groups up to 30 people.

Lake and Pond Fishing

Fishing on the 362-acre Boulder Lake may net you walleye, northern pike, bass or panfish. There is a paved boat ramp at the campground parking for 20 vehicles. This spring fed lake is 11 feet deep.

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is also popular here and the boat landing and parking area are plowed in winter for your convenience.

Day Hiking

A wooden boardwalk begins your journey into another world of primitive bog vegetation, deer trails, squirrels' nests, and the workings of woodpeckers. Hike up and down the ridges around a large open bog area. The huge boulders you'll see are the calling cards left behind when the last glacier receded and formed the rugged terrain over 10,000 years ago. Campers can access the trail from several points in the campground.

Boating - Motorized

There is a paved boat ramp at the Boulder Lake Campground with parking for up to 16-20 stalls. This spring fed lake is 11 feet deep.

Boating - Non-Motorized

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

Swimming

Enjoy the swim beach at Boulder Lake, which is great for swimming.

Tubing

Water Skiing and tubing are a few of the motorized water activities that Boulder Lake Recreation Area has to offer.

Waterskiing

Water Skiing and tubing are a few of the motorized water activities that Boulder Lake Recreation Area has to offer.