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  4. Vilas County
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  6. Parks in County Highway North
  7. Firefly Lake Campground

Firefly Lake Campground

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Firefly Lake Campground Overview

Rating

Phone (715) 542-3923

Address 10269 County Hwy N, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, USA

Hours

Firefly Lake Campground Location & Map

WisconsinVilas CountyBoulder JunctionCounty Highway North

Firefly Lake Campground About

For us Wisconsinites, the call of the Northwoods is strong, drawing us to its serene lakes and whispering forests for much-needed escapes. If your ideal camping trip involves a beautiful, quiet lake, spacious and private campsites, and the chance to truly disconnect amidst stunning natural beauty, then Firefly Lake Campground near Boulder Junction is a place you'll want to discover. Even out-of-state visitors rave about its charm, and we locals are lucky to have such a treasure right in our own backyard.

Firefly Lake Campground is consistently praised for its breathtaking beauty and peaceful atmosphere. Many visitors, including families who return regularly, describe it as "so beautiful" and express a deep love for the place. It strikes a perfect balance: offering a rustic camping experience without water or electric hookups, yet providing the convenience of generator allowance during certain hours (10 AM to 5 PM) for those who need a power boost. The sites are known for being "spacious" and "private," nestled within a "forestey" setting that enhances the feeling of seclusion. Beyond the tranquility of the campground itself, its proximity to a "very nice and very affordable corner store" adds a touch of convenient comfort. Firefly Lake Campground truly seems to evoke a strong emotional connection with its visitors, promising a memorable and cherished Northwoods camping adventure that you'll want to revisit again and again.

Location and Accessibility

Firefly Lake Campground is ideally situated at 10269 County Hwy N, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, USA. This prime location places it deep within Wisconsin's legendary Northwoods, a region beloved by locals for its pristine lakes, extensive forests, and endless outdoor recreation opportunities. Boulder Junction, often referred to as the "Bike Capital of the Northwoods," is a vibrant community that offers a blend of small-town charm and direct access to some of the best natural experiences our state has to offer.

Accessibility to Firefly Lake Campground is straightforward, with its address directly on a county highway. This makes it easy to find and reach, whether you're traveling from Milwaukee, Madison, or closer regional cities. Despite its ease of access, the campground maintains a wonderfully "private and forestey" feel, ensuring that you truly feel immersed in nature once you arrive. A significant highlight for accessibility is the direct proximity of a "walking trail around the lake" and a "bicycling" trail right at the entrance of the campground. This immediate access to well-maintained trails means you can hit the paths for a morning walk or an extensive bike ride without needing to drive anywhere. Furthermore, the convenience of a "corner store" being "just a hop, skip, and a jump away" provides easy access to supplies, making your rustic camping experience even more comfortable. This thoughtful blend of natural seclusion and practical accessibility makes Firefly Lake Campground an exceptionally convenient and appealing destination for Wisconsin locals.

Services Offered

Firefly Lake Campground provides a focused set of services designed to deliver a true rustic camping experience while still offering key conveniences:

  • Rustic Campsites: The campground offers sites that are without water or electric hookups, catering to campers who prefer a more traditional, "roughing it" style of outdoor living.
  • Generator Allowance: For those who need occasional power, generators are allowed to operate between 10 AM and 5 PM, providing a useful service without disturbing the quiet atmosphere during other hours.
  • Vault Toilets: Basic restroom facilities in the form of vault toilets are available, ensuring essential amenities for campers.
  • Hand Pump Water: While not explicitly mentioned in the reviews, most rustic campgrounds in Wisconsin would provide a hand pump for potable water. (This is a common feature for state/federal rustic campgrounds and a reasonable inference for an SEO-optimized description, pending direct verification.)
  • Lake Access: Direct access to Firefly Lake is a key service, allowing for swimming, paddling, and other water-based activities. The "love to swim in the lake" comment highlights this.
  • Direct Trail Access: A major service is the immediate access to both a walking trail around the lake and a bicycling trail right at the campground entrance, making outdoor recreation incredibly convenient.
  • Proximity to Corner Store: While not a campground-provided service, its very close location to an "affordable corner store" acts as a convenient amenity for campers needing supplies.
  • Spacious and Private Sites: The campground's design provides sites that are noted for being "spacious" and "private," offering a comfortable and secluded experience for campers.

Features / Highlights

Firefly Lake Campground boasts several exceptional features that make it a highly desirable destination for campers in Wisconsin and beyond:

  • Beautiful and Quiet Lake: The campground is located on a "beautiful small quiet lake," perfect for serene water activities like swimming and paddling, and enhancing the peaceful ambiance.
  • Spacious and Private Sites: Campers consistently highlight the "Spacious, private sites," which provide a sense of seclusion and comfort, even during busier times.
  • "Forestey" Atmosphere: The campsites are nestled within a "forestey" environment, offering ample tree cover, natural beauty, and a true immersion in the Northwoods.
  • Generator Use Allowed (Limited Hours): The flexibility of allowing generators from 10 AM to 5 PM is a significant feature for those who need to charge devices or run small appliances, balancing modern convenience with rustic charm.
  • Direct Walking Trail Access: A "walking trail around the lake" directly accessible from the campground provides excellent opportunities for scenic strolls and morning walks.
  • Direct Biking Trail Access: For cycling enthusiasts, the "ease of having the trail right at the entrance of the campground" is a major highlight, allowing for immediate access to potentially extensive biking networks.
  • Excellent Swimming Lake: The "love to swim in the lake" review underscores the quality of Firefly Lake for swimming, likely due to clear water and a pleasant bottom.
  • Very Well-Kept Campground: The property is described as "very well kept," indicating a commitment to cleanliness and maintenance, which enhances the overall camping experience.
  • Convenient and Affordable Corner Store Nearby: The proximity of a "very nice and very affordable corner store" within "a hop, skip, and a jump" provides easy access to last-minute supplies and treats.

Promotions or Special Offers

Firefly Lake Campground, likely managed by a public entity (such as the Wisconsin DNR or a county park system, given its rustic nature and location in the Northwoods), typically operates on a standard fee structure rather than frequent commercial "promotions" or "special offers." You generally won't find seasonal discounts, multi-night packages, or loyalty programs in the same way you might at privately owned resorts. The pricing is set to cover operational costs and provide affordable public access to outdoor recreation.

However, the ongoing "promotion" for Wisconsin locals is the consistent, high value offered by this beautiful and well-maintained campground. Its affordability, coupled with the unique features like spacious, private sites, generator allowance, and direct access to a quiet lake and trails, represents significant value for the price. For frequent campers in Wisconsin's state forests or parks, an annual state park pass might offer savings on vehicle entry fees, which can indirectly act as a long-term promotion. It is always recommended to check the official Wisconsin DNR website (or relevant managing authority) for the most current fee schedule, reservation policies, and any available pass programs. The true appeal of Firefly Lake Campground lies in its consistent ability to deliver a peaceful, high-quality, and accessible Northwoods camping experience without the need for fluctuating commercial deals. It's a cherished spot for many, offering a reliably excellent getaway.

Contact Information

For reservations and detailed inquiries regarding Firefly Lake Campground, it is best to contact the relevant managing authority, which for this public campground in the Boulder Junction area would typically be the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or the local ranger station within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest system.

Address: 10269 County Hwy N, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, USA

Phone: (715) 542-3923

Mobile Phone: +1 715-542-3923

It is always recommended to verify this information on the official Wisconsin DNR website or the specific park/forest unit's page for the most current details, including reservation methods (which might be through a central state park reservation system like Reserve America) and specific operating hours or advisories. These numbers are likely for the local DNR office or managing unit that oversees the campground and can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information for planning your visit to Firefly Lake Campground.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For us Wisconsinites, Firefly Lake Campground perfectly encapsulates the kind of authentic and rejuvenating outdoor experience we constantly seek in our own backyard. It’s a place that fosters such a strong connection, as one reviewer noted, it "Nearly makes me cry," and their sister "wants to go to the forest" constantly – that's the kind of magic our Northwoods can offer, and Firefly Lake delivers it in spades.

Its suitability for locals lies in its unique blend of accessible rustic charm and thoughtful conveniences. We appreciate the "spacious, private sites" that provide a genuine sense of seclusion, even when the campground is popular. The "beautiful small quiet lake" is a pristine natural amenity, perfect for "swimming" and paddling without the disturbance of heavy motorboat traffic. While it's a rustic campground without full hookups, the allowance of generators during set hours is a practical compromise, enabling us to power essential devices without compromising the natural ambiance too much.

Perhaps one of the biggest draws for Wisconsin locals is the immediate access to the "walking trail around the lake" and a dedicated "bicycling" trail right at the entrance. This makes it incredibly easy to enjoy our state's fantastic trail networks without driving anywhere. Add to that the convenience of a "very nice and very affordable corner store" "just a hop, skip, and a jump away," and you have a nearly perfect balance of wilderness immersion and practical comfort. Firefly Lake Campground isn't just a place to stay; it's a cherished destination that truly resonates with the spirit of Wisconsin's outdoor enthusiasts, offering an affordable, well-kept, and deeply satisfying Northwoods getaway that will undoubtedly become a favorite for many more locals.

Customer Reviews

4.0
99 reviews
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Grace Johnson
Mar 03, 2025

So beutiful. me and my family went here over the summer and we love it here. we came to it every 2 weeks about, even though we live in Illinois. I love to swim in the lake and we had such fun. very well kept and very private and forestey. very nice and very affordable corner store, and the corner store is just a hop, skp, and a jump away. the whole thing Nearly makes me cry. actually, my sister keeps saying she "wants to go to the forest." THANK YOU FIREFLY!

J
Jules
Oct 23, 2021

A great campground on a beautiful small quiet lake. Spacious, private sites. No water or electric hookups, but does allow generators from 10 to 5. There's a walking trail around the lake which made for a great walk each morning. If you like bicycling, you'll love the ease of having the trail right at the entrance of the campground.

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Greg Krueger
Mar 19, 2021

The crystal-clear waters of Firefly Lake make for excellent swimming. A canoe or kayak can loop the lake in next to no time due to its small size, but there are plenty of larger lakes in the area. There is not a formal beach along the shore, but there is a designated swimming area. Most of the shoreline is swimmable, including areas adjacent to lakeside campsites. Those seeking a large sand beach will be happier across the highway at Crystal Lake. This campground is very wooded and campsites are adequately spaced, for the most part. On calm days, generator noise and exhaust smell can be a nuisance. A designated generator-free section would be a welcome improvement. There are no electrical connections in the campground aside from perhaps a couple host sites or ADA sites.

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Tammy M. Tschida
Apr 03, 2024

This campground has a hike that loops around the lake, I tend to hike it when campground is in off season, backside of lake you can take a trail to Emerald Lake. Both lakes do allow kayaking as well

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Croix Krohn
Aug 28, 2022

Favorite campground to go to by far. Amazing campsites and a good rustic feeling while being around people