Franklin Lake

Franklin Lake Beach
Boardwalk on Franklin Lake Nature Trail
Boardwalk to Butternut Lake
Franklin Lake Site 59
FRANKLIN LAKE

Sites & Rates

Average nightly rates

43 total sites

RV Sites

41 sites

Tent Sites

2 sites

About Franklin Lake

Franklin Lake Campground is one of the most popular camping spots within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Northern Wisconsin. Its unique structures built by the CCC land it on the National Register of Historic Places. The campground is in a beautiful setting, among tall pines and hemlocks, perched on the edge of the clear blue waters of Franklin Lake. In addition to its scenic landscape, the campground offers access to a variety of hiking trails.

Number of accommodations: 43

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Sep 8 to Oct 13

Campground Amenities

Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information? Let us know

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

43 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 002, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 003, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
004, Loop: South Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 016, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 017, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 018, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 019, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
020, Loop: South Tent
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
Price not available
🚐 021, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 022, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 023, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 024, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 025, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 026, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 027, Loop: South RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 028, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 029, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 030, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 031, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 032, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 033, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 034, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 035, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 036, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 037, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 038, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 039, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 040, Loop: South RV
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 041, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 042, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 051, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 052, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 053, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 054, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 055, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 056, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 057, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 058, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 059, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 060, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 061, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 075, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 076, Loop: North RV
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (328)

What Guests Are Saying

Franklin Lake campground is praised for its clean, spacious sites, beautiful surroundings, and well-maintained facilities, including bathrooms and hiking trails. Campers enjoyed the serene, wooded ambiance and the crystal-clear lake, making for a relaxing experience. While some noted issues with noise from generators and the absence of showers, the overall sentiment highlights a strong desire to return to this picturesque location.

Review Summary

4.6
328 reviews
5
74.1%
243
4
16.2%
53
3
6.1%
20
2
2.7%
9
1
0.9%
3

JIm R

Verified

September 1, 2022 Stayed at: 058, Loop: North

4

The lake is peaceful, unlimited hiking. Can hike to smaller lakes and shore

Debora N

Verified

August 22, 2022 Stayed at: 056, Loop: North

5

Love it here, it is the only place we go to camp.

Debora N

Verified

August 22, 2022 Stayed at: 056, Loop: North

5

Love it here, it is the only place we go to camp.

Debora N

Verified

August 22, 2022 Stayed at: 056, Loop: North

5

Love it here, it is the only place we go to camp.

Dennis H

Verified

August 21, 2022 Stayed at: 058, Loop: North

5

Every year is different but always excellent!
We love our time there!

Dennis H

Verified

August 21, 2022 Stayed at: 058, Loop: North

5

Every year is different but always excellent!
We love our time there!

Dennis H

Verified

August 21, 2022 Stayed at: 058, Loop: North

5

Every year is different but always excellent!
We love our time there!

Peter J

Verified

August 11, 2022 Stayed at: 031, Loop: South

2

Franklin Lake is a lovely campground in a bucolic Northwoods forest setting with an adjacent swimming lake. We have often visited Franklin Lake and toured the campground, but this was our first time actually camping there. We were only staying one night and we thoroughly enjoyed the facilities themselves, including swimming in the lake. Generator noises from RVs were not pleasant, and there were a fair number of mosquitoes at the wooded campsite 031, which is to be expected in mid-July. However, a couple by the name of PLITZ in site 030 across from us thoroughly ruined our camping experience. They were evidently affiliated with other people staying at or visiting the campground and engaged in all sorts of tomfoolery, including towing large groups of kids and dogs around the campground on their trailer. But the worst was yet to come. The couple, PLITZ, stayed up until 2:00 a.m. drinking and talking full voiced, and running back and forth to the bathroom, slamming doors. I'm not a wimp, but as my wife and I were already in our nightclothes and sleeping bags, trying to doze off, I did not feel like going over and confronting them, as who knows what a drunken and possibly armed yahoo is likely to do. So we just toughed it out with a lousy night's sleep. The campground hosts, who might otherwise enforce the rules, reside at the mouth of the campground and have a cabin, and so are quite insulated from the goings on in the camping spaces themselves. I never saw the hosts during our stay and certainly never saw them take a spin through the campground to see what was going on. I'm not saying they NEVER inspect things, but I didn't see them that afternoon/evening. Just another instances where a couple of unrestrained jerks with nobody to police them can wreck your entire out-of-doors experience. A shame, especially since this was likely our only camping episode in the National Forest for the year.

Peter J

Verified

August 11, 2022 Stayed at: 031, Loop: South

2

Franklin Lake is a lovely campground in a bucolic Northwoods forest setting with an adjacent swimming lake. We have often visited Franklin Lake and toured the campground, but this was our first time actually camping there. We were only staying one night and we thoroughly enjoyed the facilities themselves, including swimming in the lake. Generator noises from RVs were not pleasant, and there were a fair number of mosquitoes at the wooded campsite 031, which is to be expected in mid-July. However, a couple by the name of PLITZ in site 030 across from us thoroughly ruined our camping experience. They were evidently affiliated with other people staying at or visiting the campground and engaged in all sorts of tomfoolery, including towing large groups of kids and dogs around the campground on their trailer. But the worst was yet to come. The couple, PLITZ, stayed up until 2:00 a.m. drinking and talking full voiced, and running back and forth to the bathroom, slamming doors. I'm not a wimp, but as my wife and I were already in our nightclothes and sleeping bags, trying to doze off, I did not feel like going over and confronting them, as who knows what a drunken and possibly armed yahoo is likely to do. So we just toughed it out with a lousy night's sleep. The campground hosts, who might otherwise enforce the rules, reside at the mouth of the campground and have a cabin, and so are quite insulated from the goings on in the camping spaces themselves. I never saw the hosts during our stay and certainly never saw them take a spin through the campground to see what was going on. I'm not saying they NEVER inspect things, but I didn't see them that afternoon/evening. Just another instances where a couple of unrestrained jerks with nobody to police them can wreck your entire out-of-doors experience. A shame, especially since this was likely our only camping episode in the National Forest for the year.

Peter J

Verified

August 11, 2022 Stayed at: 031, Loop: South

2

Franklin Lake is a lovely campground in a bucolic Northwoods forest setting with an adjacent swimming lake. We have often visited Franklin Lake and toured the campground, but this was our first time actually camping there. We were only staying one night and we thoroughly enjoyed the facilities themselves, including swimming in the lake. Generator noises from RVs were not pleasant, and there were a fair number of mosquitoes at the wooded campsite 031, which is to be expected in mid-July. However, a couple by the name of PLITZ in site 030 across from us thoroughly ruined our camping experience. They were evidently affiliated with other people staying at or visiting the campground and engaged in all sorts of tomfoolery, including towing large groups of kids and dogs around the campground on their trailer. But the worst was yet to come. The couple, PLITZ, stayed up until 2:00 a.m. drinking and talking full voiced, and running back and forth to the bathroom, slamming doors. I'm not a wimp, but as my wife and I were already in our nightclothes and sleeping bags, trying to doze off, I did not feel like going over and confronting them, as who knows what a drunken and possibly armed yahoo is likely to do. So we just toughed it out with a lousy night's sleep. The campground hosts, who might otherwise enforce the rules, reside at the mouth of the campground and have a cabin, and so are quite insulated from the goings on in the camping spaces themselves. I never saw the hosts during our stay and certainly never saw them take a spin through the campground to see what was going on. I'm not saying they NEVER inspect things, but I didn't see them that afternoon/evening. Just another instances where a couple of unrestrained jerks with nobody to police them can wreck your entire out-of-doors experience. A shame, especially since this was likely our only camping episode in the National Forest for the year.

Location Franklin Lake

Address:
U S D A Forest Service
Eagle River, WI, 54521
United States

Highway access

Franklin Lake campground is accessible via Highway 70, approximately 8 miles west of Eagle River. There are no nearby interstates or freeways within 25 miles.

Elevation: 529 feet

Distance to downtown

15 mi drive to downtown Eagle River (about 24 min)

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Amenities

  • Electricity is provided at certain campsites.

General

  • Click here for more information on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Fires & fuel

  • Firewood from outside the area is prohibited to protect against invasive pests.

Site types & loops

  • Camping is limited to designated hardened areas only.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: September 7, 2026

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Managed by USDA Forest Service