Is Straight Lake State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Straight Lake State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Straight Lake State Park before I book?

Yes! Straight Lake State Park has 12 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Straight Lake State Park?

Straight Lake State Park does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Straight Lake State Park?

Fire policies at Straight Lake State Park: Campsites reported to have fire rings; generators not allowed. Further official fire rules not provided.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Straight Lake State Park?

Cell phone service at Straight Lake State Park is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Straight Lake State Park have?

Straight Lake State Park has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Straight Lake State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Straight Lake State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Straight Lake State Park?

Straight Lake State Park offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Straight Lake State Park?

Popular activities at Straight Lake State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Straight Lake State Park

5 reviews

Peace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Wisconsin

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,283 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Wisconsin DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,283 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Wisconsin DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Straight Lake State Park

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

Straight Lake State Park

45.5987, -92.4064

Weather at Straight Lake State Park

Best Time to Camp at Straight Lake State Park

Fall delivers the clearest payoff. Daytime highs run mid-40s to mid-60s°F, and hardwood color peaks in late September through mid-October. Mosquitoes and horseflies retreat, humidity drops, and the hike-in sites feel genuinely peaceful. Summer brings heavy bug pressure that reviewers cite as the main seasonal tradeoff. Expect moderate weekend crowds during peak color, but solitude is easy to find on weekdays.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Fall foliage (late Sept–mid-Oct) highlighted as the clearest payoff; mosquitoes retreat.

Planning Tips

About Straight Lake State Park

Straight Lake State Park offers 10 hike-in campsites scattered along a forested trail, each designed for solitude rather than convenience. The park wraps around Straight Lake and Rainbow Lake in northern Wisconsin's glacially sculpted terrain, where the Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes nearby. Sites are primitive: vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables, but no potable water or showers. Expect to carry your gear anywhere from 400 feet to a third of a mile.

Undeveloped hike-in campground with 10 rustic, primitive sites spaced for solitude; no RV or cabin accommodations.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the clearest payoff. Daytime highs run mid-40s to mid-60s°F, and hardwood color peaks in late September through mid-October. Mosquitoes and horseflies retreat, humidity drops, and the hike-in sites feel genuinely peaceful. Summer brings heavy bug pressure that reviewers cite as the main seasonal tradeoff. Expect moderate weekend crowds during peak color, but solitude is easy to find on weekdays.

Natural Features and SceneryAncient glaciers carved the rolling, forested hills that cradle Straight Lake and Rainbow Lake across more than 2,000 acres. Mixed hardwoods dominate the landscape, turning brilliant shades of red and gold in late September through mid-October. Short trails loop past quiet ponds and climb to overlooks where forest meets water. The park sits at 1,283 feet elevation. Reviewers consistently mention the scenic quality of both lakes for paddling and the well-maintained condition of the trail system, though signage can be sparse.

Geological RegionGlacially sculpted landscape with Ice Age glacial features; Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs nearby

Scenic ViewsWooded lake views, quiet pond edges, forested hills and glacially formed terrain; campsites are secluded and often have pond or tree-lined outlooks.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsGoingToCamp (https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com)

Total Campsites10 campsites

Best CampsitesSite 5 gets specific praise for tree cover and layout. All 10 sites sit at least 400 feet apart, with carry distances ranging from 400 feet to roughly a third of a mile from parking. The farther sites reward the extra effort with deeper quiet.

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GoingToCamp Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Amenities available

Rustic, walk-in campground with minimal services: vault (pit) toilets, picnic tables and fire rings at each site, no potable water or showers. Campers must carry in water and pack out trash.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Small, undeveloped park focused on quiet recreation: hiking, paddling, fishing, wildlife viewing and swimming at Rainbow and Straight Lakes. Trails connect with the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh mosquito/biting insect pressure at times; no potable water on-site so campers must haul water; limited amenities (vault toilets only). Variable cell coverage (T-Mobile: no coverage; Verizon and AT&T: some LTE coverage). Carrying gear on trails required; boat dollies/launch access may be limited.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

0.0

5 reviews

Limited Reviews

Straight Lake State Park has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers praise the park for its solitude, scenic small lakes and well-maintained short trails; campsites are rustic, secluded hike-in sites. Common negatives are mosquitoes, limited signage, and very few amenities (no potable water, no showers).

Review Summaries

Based on 5 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, private hike-in campsites; scenic Rainbow and Straight Lakes for paddling and fishing; well-kept trails and clean vault toilets; sites include picnic tables and fire rings.

Based on 5 reviews

Common Concerns

High mosquito pressure; no showers, no potable water, no drive-up sites; must haul everything in; potential lack of boat dollies.[1][5][7]

Based on 5 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring plenty of water and bug spray, reserve sites in advance, expect to carry gear to sites (trail distances vary), bring a kayak/canoe and dolly if needed for west-side launches, pack out all trash.

Based on 5 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Quiet. A little work to get to your site, but worth it."; "Absolutely beautiful park! Camped in site 5 and it was an awesome site."

Based on 5 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Paddlers and trout anglers will get the most out of this place. Rainbow Lake has a sandy swim launch and stocked trout; Straight Lake holds bass and pike. Late September through mid-October is the clear sweet spot: bugs retreat, hardwood color peaks, and a weekday site reservatio

Skip if

No potable water on-site is a real logistical burden. Carry-in water, no showers, sparse signage, and a hike ranging from 400 feet to a third of a mile with all your gear adds up fast. T-Mobile users get zero coverage. Summer visits without serious bug spray are miserable by most

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