Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area

Star4.36
25 reviews
1247 E. Wall St., Eagle River, WI 54521
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,620 ft

Price

$7.5 - $15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

31 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Eagle River-Florence Ranger District site

Official Website
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Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area
$7.50 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Individual campsite fee is $15 per day. A reduced rate of $7.50 applies when using an Interagency Access or Senior Pass. The pass discount applies...
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Standard Site Fee$15.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
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What Campers Say

4.36

Recommended

Based on 25 reviews

22 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleanbeach

"User reviews generally describe the campground as quiet, simple, and clean with a mix of rustic and slightly developed experiences depending on the loop. The presence of neighboring cabins affects privacy in some areas."

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Campground Map

1247 E. Wall St., Eagle River, WI 54521

Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area

1247 E. Wall St., Eagle River, WI 54521

Driving directionsFrom Land O'Lake, WI on County Rt. B, take US Rt. 45/State Rt. 32 south 2.1 miles to County Rt. E. Turn left on Rt. E and go east 2.8 miles to West Shore Rd. (Forest Rt. 2205). Turn left onto West Shore Rd. and go 1.3 miles to campground entrance on the right.
Road access is paved and leads to the campground entrance via County Road E and West Shore Road (Forest Road 2205).
Nearby places
Eagle River (16 miles), Land O'Lake (2.8 miles on County Road E), Upper Peninsula of Michigan (shared border).
Nearby supplies
Supplies can be obtained from Land O'Lake, located approximately 2.8 miles away, which offers amenities like ice, food, and bait for fishing.

Best Time to Camp at Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area

Experience the dramatic beauty of Wisconsin's changing seasons at Lac Vieux Desert. Summer brings warm, sun-drenched days perfect for swimming and evening campfires, while autumn paints the surrounding forest in brilliant golds and crimsons. Winter transforms the landscape into a snow-covered wonderland, and spring awakens the wilderness with fresh growth and migrating birds. Each season offers its own unique charm, though summer and early fall provide the most comfortable camping conditions.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer offers swimming, boating and peak-season fishing; campground open and popular then.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Open through Oct 15; Northwoods autumn foliage and late-season scenery are highlights.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Opens May 2; late spring yields strong fishing and quiet camping per reviews.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Closed mid-October to early May; winter camping not available.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season aligns with late spring and summer months.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season runs from May 2 through October 15.

About Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area

Nestled along the pristine western shoreline of Lac Vieux Desert Lake, this intimate 31-site campground offers a perfect blend of wilderness tranquility and outdoor adventure. The sprawling 4,017-acre lake beckons anglers and water enthusiasts alike, while rustic amenities including hand-pump potable water and vault toilets ensure a comfortable yet authentic camping experience that connects you with nature.
This campground supports tent camping and caters to both individual and combined site usage. RV camping is possible though limited by site size restrictions.
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Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Check-in time not specified.
Check-out
Check-out time not specified.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay allowed is 14 days.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

A range of outdoor activities is available, including fishing, boating, picnicking, and scenic drives. The lake is noted for its musky, walleye, bass, and northern pike fishing.
FishingThe lake is popular for fishing musky, northern pike, walleye, and bass. User reviews emphasize its suitability for walleye fishing, especially before the 4th of July.
SwimmingA swimming beach is located near the campground. User reviews mention it as a nice feature for families.
BoatingBoating activities include motorized and non-motorized options. However, user reviews note that the boat ramp is shallow and unsuitable for large or heavy boats.
Beach activitiesThe campground has a swimming beach and picnic area within walking distance.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential shallow boat launches and unmaintained conditions may hinder large or heavy boats. "The forest service are useless and out to lunch," according to one user review.

Weather at Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area

Reviews

4.4
25 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews generally describe the campground as quiet, simple, and clean with a mix of rustic and slightly developed experiences depending on the loop. The presence of neighboring cabins affects privacy in some areas.
Review Summaries
Based on 25 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include flat tent pads, good fishing opportunities for musky and walleye, and a swimming beach. Reviews also praise the campground’s cleanliness.
Based on 25 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include the shallow boat ramp that can accommodate only small boats and issues with refund policies for early departures.
Based on 25 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend paying for only 2-3 days at a time due to the no-refund policy. Fishing is noted to be best before the 4th of July.
Based on 25 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fishing and overall camping experiences are most favorable in late spring through early summer. One user emphasized that fishing quality diminishes after July 4th.
Based on 25 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Quiet, simple camping." - Joanne Schultz. "This is one of - if not the only - campground in the Chequamegon Nicolet with actual designated flat tent pads framed by wood." - Greg Krueger. "You can...
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Based on 25 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites in the northern loop are less private due to visible neighboring cabins, while the southern loop offers more rustic experiences.
Based on 25 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically address accessibility experiences.
Based on 25 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically address pet-related experiences.
Based on 25 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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