Boot Lake Campground










Boot Lake Campground Overview
Rating
Phone (715) 276-6333
Address Camp Rd, Townsend, WI 54175, USA
Website http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cnnf/recarea/?recid=27929
Hours
Boot Lake Campground Location & Map
WisconsinOconto CountyTownsendCamp Road
Boot Lake Campground About
For those of us in Wisconsin seeking a true escape into nature, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, Boot Lake Campground in Townsend offers an idyllic retreat. Nestled within the picturesque Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, this campground provides a quintessential Northwoods experience, blending tranquil natural beauty with engaging outdoor activities. It’s a cherished destination for many local families, couples, and solo adventurers looking to reconnect with the great outdoors. With its clear lake waters, abundant wildlife, and a range of facilities designed for a comfortable stay, Boot Lake Campground stands out as a prime choice for your next Wisconsin camping adventure.
Whether you're an avid angler, a paddle sports enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys relaxing by the water, Boot Lake Campground provides a welcoming environment. The area is renowned for its serene atmosphere and the vibrant ecosystem it supports, offering glimpses of loons, eagles, and various other bird species. It’s more than just a place to pitch a tent or park an RV; it’s a community where memories are made under the vast Wisconsin sky.
Boot Lake Campground is conveniently situated in Townsend, Wisconsin, an accessible gem for many residents across the state. You’ll find this serene camping spot at: Camp Rd, Townsend, WI 54175, USA. Getting there typically involves a pleasant drive through the scenic landscapes of northern Wisconsin, providing a gradual transition into the peaceful environment of the forest. The campground sits specifically at the north end of Boot Lake, offering direct access to its clear waters and beautiful surroundings.
For those traveling by car, the campground is easily reachable via well-maintained local roads. While public transportation options to this more remote natural setting are limited, driving allows you the flexibility to explore the wider Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and nearby towns at your leisure. The location within the national forest ensures a truly immersive natural experience, yet it remains close enough to essential services in Townsend for any provisions you might need during your stay.
Boot Lake Campground strives to provide a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience for its visitors. Here are some of the key services and facilities you can expect:
- Campsites: The campground boasts 36 campsites, with 19 of these being reservable, ensuring you can plan your trip in advance. A variety of site types are available, accommodating both tent campers and RVs, with some sites able to handle vehicles as long as 35 feet and longer.
- Vault Toilets: For your convenience, the campground is equipped with vault toilets.
- Drinking Water: Fresh drinking water is available, though it's important to note that some reviews indicate water availability might be limited to a hand pump near the beach, suggesting it's not always readily accessible at every campsite.
- Camp Host: A friendly camp host is typically on-site to assist campers and ensure a smooth experience.
- Boat Landing with Dock: For those bringing their watercraft, there's a paved boat ramp with a boarding dock, making it easy to get out on the lake. There is a $5 recreation use fee for the boat landing for day users, but this does not apply to registered campers.
- Picnic Area: A beautiful, shaded picnic area is available near the swim beach, perfect for day use or campers enjoying a lakeside meal. A $5 day pass applies for use of the beach, picnic area, and boat landing for those not registered as campers.
Boot Lake Campground offers a wealth of features that make it a standout destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of its most celebrated highlights:
- Boot Lake: The centerpiece of the campground is the stunning 263-acre Boot Lake itself. Known for its remarkably clear waters, it's a fantastic spot for a variety of water-based activities.
- Swimming Beach: The campground boasts an amazing sandy beach with a dedicated swim area, ideal for cooling off on a warm Wisconsin day. It's a popular spot for families, though it's worth noting that dogs are generally not allowed in the swim area.
- Fishing Opportunities: Anglers will appreciate Boot Lake, which is home to walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, musky, and various panfish. Reviewers often mention good bass fishing and the presence of "giant rock bass." Nearby streams also offer excellent trout fishing, and the Wolf River provides additional fishing opportunities.
- Kayaking and Canoeing: The calm waters of Boot Lake are perfect for non-motorized boating. Paddling around the lake offers peaceful exploration, with many serene coves that are not easily accessible by larger boats. A full loop around the lake by kayak is approximately 4 miles.
- Wildlife Viewing: The surrounding Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a haven for wildlife. Visitors frequently report seeing loons, eagles, and a diverse array of other birds, offering fantastic birdwatching opportunities.
- Shaded Picnic Tables: The beach area includes picnic tables with afternoon shade, perfect for enjoying a meal with a view of the lake.
- Well-Maintained Sites: Many campers praise the campground for its generally clean and well-kept sites, contributing to a pleasant stay.
- Renovations: The campground has undergone renovations, promising improved facilities and an even better experience for future visitors.
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Despite its popularity, especially during peak summer months, many visitors describe Boot Lake Campground as a quiet, private, and relaxing place to enjoy nature.
As Boot Lake Campground is part of the USDA Forest Service system, promotions or special offers in the traditional commercial sense are not typically available. Pricing is set at a daily rate, which is often very reasonable, making it an excellent value for a beautiful lakeside camping experience. For non-campers, a daily recreation use fee of $5 applies for access to the beach, picnic area, and boat landing. It's always a good idea to check the official USDA Forest Service or Recreation.gov websites for the most current information on fees, availability, and any specific discounts that might apply, such as those for senior citizens or those with Access Passes.
For more information or to inquire about your visit to Boot Lake Campground, you can use the following contact details:
Address: Camp Rd, Townsend, WI 54175, USA
Phone: (715) 276-6333
Mobile Phone: +1 715-276-6333
Boot Lake Campground is an ideal destination for Wisconsin locals looking to embrace the natural beauty and recreational opportunities our state offers. Its location within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest makes it a relatively short and scenic drive for many, offering a genuine escape without requiring extensive travel. For families, the clear, beautiful lake with its sandy swimming beach provides endless hours of fun and safe recreation. Parents can relax knowing there's a designated swim area and shaded picnic spots.
Anglers, from seasoned pros to casual weekenders, will appreciate the diverse fishing opportunities, whether targeting walleye, northern pike, or the abundant bass. The tranquil nature of the lake also makes it perfect for kayaking and canoeing, allowing for peaceful exploration and wildlife spotting—a true delight for nature lovers. The consistent positive reviews from fellow Wisconsinites, highlighting the clean facilities, friendly atmosphere, and stunning natural setting, speak volumes about the campground's appeal.
Moreover, the affordable day-use pass for the beach and boat launch, and the reasonable camping rates, make it an accessible outdoor experience for a variety of budgets. It's a place where you can disconnect from daily stresses and reconnect with nature, all within the familiar and beloved landscapes of our home state. Boot Lake Campground isn't just a place to camp; it's a place to create lasting memories, enjoy the simple pleasures of the outdoors, and appreciate the remarkable wilderness that Wisconsin proudly offers.
Customer Reviews
This is an amazing beach and lake. The boat launch is a bit difficult due to the angle needed to back down. And parkingin that area is limited. But the lake is a beautiful place. The water is clear in most areas. Loons, eagles, and other birds seen daily while visiting. Fishing was ok. Lots of tubers, jetskiers during wake hours. The kayaking was very peaceful and it was around 4 miles to go all the way around. Peaceful coves in some areas that boats can't get to easily. Great beach with an amazing swim area. No dogs allowed which was disappointing but understood. Picnic tables and afternoon shade. Great place for the $5 a day pass. There is also a campground located on the lake.
Been going here for 4 years now. Great sites…The bathrooms need to be cleaned more and make sure you get a site that the fire ring isn’t a tall one cause other wise no use to have a campfire. See in pics
This is a great place to go camping. The beach and lake are nicely set up with a lot of sandy beach along the shore, but a grassy area in the back area. There is convenient access to a hiking trail (I posted a picture of the map showing the trails) from the campsite. The Cathedral of the Pines is also just a short car drive from the campsite. If you want a quiet sanctuary style walk, this is the place to go and the tree's are absolutely amazing. Nearby Townsend provides access to a few items should something be forgotten at home, but overall this campground is smack dab in the middle of the forest with just the sounds of nature and fellow campers at night. I've posted some additional pictures of one campsite that we use regularly. I'll add some more pictures of other sites next time we are up there. Signal is spotty at best for just about every network, but a better signal can be had near the lake. So if you want to connect with the outside world while camping, go somewhere else. If you want to disconnect and really get away from it all then this is a great place to be. Update: July of 2019 saw a large number of trees uprooted and down throughout the campground which forced this campground to temporarily close. This is due to one storm that spawned straight line winds and several tornadoes. Boot Lake campground is closed for all of 2019. 2020 is still up in the air. Speaking with some rangers in the area, their hope is to have this campground cleared and open no later than mid 2020. So if you want to book in January online, it is likely that you will not be able to. I walked through the area in August and there is a LOT to clean up. So mid 2020 actually sounds reasonable. However, the beach and boat landing are still open and accessible, only the campground is closed. This obviously has a low priority compared with all the cleanup required for the surrounding communities. Many residents are still in cleanup mode six weeks after the storm. We will see how 2020 plays out. There are other campgrounds available that were not affected by the storm.
Would give a 5 Star except for the fact Locals around the Lake are very inconsiderate. If you like fishing or kayaking, they don't care and will come within feet of you full speed causing waves. As for the Campground, sites are very spacious. Very quiet even at night. Lake sites are not exactly on the lake, but close with a walking trail between you and the lake. Bathrooms clean. Beach nicely kept. However seems many do not know how to read. Had their dogs on the beach area and with no Camp Host, it was a free for all. Only one water pump worked and that was in beach area (after a hide and seek thru the woods found it) but water was yellow. Nice boat landing and plenty of spots to park your trailer. Whole parking lots and campground roads are paved which is nice. Best to visit Campground before making reservations to determine sites that would work for you. Some sites are smaller than what they state and some are on steep inclines which mean really jacking up the front of your trailer.
I got the privilege of helping the forest service clean this campground, it was a great experience. This place is beautiful.
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