Nichols Lake South Campground

Site 22 was really nice and wooded. Close to lake and bathrooms. Lake is so clear and beautiful. Right on the North Country Trail for great hiking.

We had expected to hear a loon early Sunday morning from out on Nichols Lake or at least other woodland birds calling. Unfortunately, someone had already started up a portable generator even though it was only 7:30. While it was a good 150 yards from us, the sound was still loud enough to ruin what otherwise should have been a peaceful morning camping.

We were particularly upset because we had the day before already endured an afternoon and evening of our immediate neighbor’s constant operation of his generator. He too eventually joined in on Sunday morning, although he was considerate enough to wait until maybe 9:00 am to begin.

It seemed odd that the NFS would not have a rule for generators given how much noise they can make. Consequently, when we returned home, we did some research and, sure enough, 36 CFR 261.10(i) is directly on point. It states:
The following [is] prohibited [in National Forest campgrounds]:
(i) Operating or using in or near a campsite …. without a permit, any device which produces noise, such as a radio, television, musical instrument, motor or engine in such a manner and at such a time so as to unreasonably disturb any person.

We recognize that “unreasonably” offers leeway with respect to devices like a radio or musical instrument. However, given that the generator last Sunday morning was still obnoxiously loud even 150 yards away, We are hard pressed to think of any circumstance or time when the operation of a generator in a National Forest campground would not be unreasonably disturbing to all within a wide circle about it.

Put simply, it makes no sense whatsoever that as few as 2 sites, which is only 7% of the available sites, should be permitted to ruin a vacation or weekend for the rest of those camping at Nichols Lake.

It would be simple to fix: post at each campground entrance and on each campground’s webpage that the use of a generator in the campground is prohibited per 36 CFR 261.11(i).

We had expected to hear a loon early Sunday morning from out on Nichols Lake or at least other woodland birds calling. Unfortunately, someone had already started up a portable generator even though it was only 7:30. While it was a good 150 yards from us, the sound was still loud enough to ruin what otherwise should have been a peaceful morning camping.

We were particularly upset because we had the day before already endured an afternoon and evening of our immediate neighbor’s constant operation of his generator. He too eventually joined in on Sunday morning, although he was considerate enough to wait until maybe 9:00 am to begin.

It seemed odd that the NFS would not have a rule for generators given how much noise they can make. Consequently, when we returned home, we did some research and, sure enough, 36 CFR 261.10(i) is directly on point. It states:
The following [is] prohibited [in National Forest campgrounds]:
(i) Operating or using in or near a campsite …. without a permit, any device which produces noise, such as a radio, television, musical instrument, motor or engine in such a manner and at such a time so as to unreasonably disturb any person.

We recognize that “unreasonably” offers leeway with respect to devices like a radio or musical instrument. However, given that the generator last Sunday morning was still obnoxiously loud even 150 yards away, We are hard pressed to think of any circumstance or time when the operation of a generator in a National Forest campground would not be unreasonably disturbing to all within a wide circle about it.

Put simply, it makes no sense whatsoever that as few as 2 sites, which is only 7% of the available sites, should be permitted to ruin a vacation or weekend for the rest of those camping at Nichols Lake.

It would be simple to fix: post at each campground entrance and on each campground’s webpage that the use of a generator in the campground is prohibited per 36 CFR 261.11(i).

The campground itself is really nice but the gypsy mouth worms were terrible. Also it was really nice to have flush toilets and shower but they could have been cleaner.

The campground itself is really nice but the gypsy mouth worms were terrible. Also it was really nice to have flush toilets and shower but they could have been cleaner.

Small and beautiful campground. Beautiful beach and lake. Nesting pair of loons and bountiful birds. Close to Baldwin and Jone’s ice cream!

Small and beautiful campground. Beautiful beach and lake. Nesting pair of loons and bountiful birds. Close to Baldwin and Jone’s ice cream!

This was a really nice campground where the sites were not too close to the neighboring sites.

This was a really nice campground where the sites were not too close to the neighboring sites.

Great family-friendly, well-managed site. We were able to walk our canoe down to the lake, and the swimming area was small, but clean.