Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area

Area Status: Open

If you are looking for a base camp to explore area trails or If you want solitude, but also want to be able to drive up to your campsite, try the Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area off Highway 70 west of Florence.

The Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area is a small campground on the Florence District that consists of a campground with 6 campsites equipped with fire rings, a vault toilet and drinking water. Upon entering, you will come across an artesian well that flows throughout the year and produces excellent drinking water!

The area is popular for trout fishing, with a variety of other fish species in nearby lakes. A carry-in canoe access is nearby and is a popular starting and ending point for canoe trips on the Pine River, a state wild and scenic river.

Come enjoy all the trails; there is a one-mile trail that connects the campground with Lost Lake Campground. Just north of the river is the south trailhead of the Lauterman Lake National Recreation Trail.

So, if you like to hike, mountain bike, fish or enjoy a variety of water activities, then Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area is the place for you, conveniently located just 20 miles west of Florence. Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area is pet friendly; See our restrictions for more information.

At a Glance

Reservations: There are no reservable sites at the Chipmunk Rapids Campground. All sites are available on a first-come basis.
Fees: Individual campsite fee is $15, or $7.50 with the use of an 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.
Open Season: April 25 - November 30
Usage: Light
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: Florence, WI. 
Information Center: Eagle River - Florence Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From Florence travel west 17 miles on Highway 70 to the intersection with FR 2450 (Dream Lake Road). Turn left (south) on FR 2450 and drive 1 mile to FR 2156 (Chipmunk Rapids Road). Continue straight 2.4 miles on FR 2156 to the campground.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

The south trailhead of The Lauterman National Recreation Trail is located north of the river. This trail traverses some hilly terrain and offers good mountain biking. Click here for more information.

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

Chipmunk Rapids is located on the Pine River, a state designated Wild River south of the Lauterman Lake Semi-Primitive Non-Motorized area. The campground consist of 6 campsites equipped with fire rings, a vault toilet and drinking water. The campground has an artesian well that produces excellent drinking water. Chipmunk Rapids is the mid-point of the approximately 80 mile long Pine River, which is popular for its canoeing opportunities. The south trailhead for the Lauterman Lake National Recreation Trail is located just across the river.

RV Camping

No. of Sites 6
Reservation Info There are no reservable sites at the Chipmunk Rapids Campground.  All sites are available on a first-come basis.
Size Restrictions

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

  • 25 Foot: 2, 3, 4, 6
  • 35 Foot: 1
  • 40 Foot: 5
Pavement Type of Parking Asphalt

Lake and Pond Fishing

Anglers can expect to catch bass, trout and panfish.

Fish Species trout

River and Stream Fishing

Pine River is known for fishing Brown and Brook trout.

Day Hiking

The south trailhead of The Lauterman National Recreation Trail is located north of the river. This trail traverses some hilly terrain and offers good hiking.

Click here for more information.

Difficulty level: Intermediate.

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. Click here for more information.

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.. 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

Viewing Wildlife

A variety of wildlife make its home in the 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

Enjoy all that the forest has to offer, be ready to be surrounded by beautiful scenery of the beautiful Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area.

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. Click here for more information.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Boating - Non-Motorized

Canoe access to Pine River. Chipmunk Rapids is On moving water; Near quite water.

Canoeing, kayaking, paddling and windsurfing are some of the popular non-motorized water activities at Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area. 

A carry-in canoe access is nearby and is a popular starting and ending point for canoe trips

Type of Craft Canoe

Swimming

Swimming and snorkeling are a few of the many water activities to enjoy at Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area.

Windsurfing

Canoeing, kayaking, paddling and windsurfing are some of the popular non-motorized water activities at Chipmunk Rapids Recreation Area. 

A carry-in canoe access is nearby and is a popular starting and ending point for canoe trips.

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing

The south trailhead of The Lauterman National Recreation Trail is located north of the river. This trail traverses some hilly terrain which is groomed for cross-country skiing (traditional). It includes three loops with one loop for beginning skiers. Click here for more information.

Difficulty level: Intermediate.