Black Lake Campground

🌲 Introduction / Overview of Black Lake Campground

For Wisconsin residents seeking the quintessential Northwoods camping experience—one defined by calm waters, towering pines, and quiet seclusion—Black Lake Campground is a highly recommended destination. Located within the scenic Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, this facility is renowned as a family-favorite recreation area, offering an authentic, rustic escape on the shores of its namesake, the 129-acre Black Lake.

This is a rustic, non-electric campground that successfully balances basic necessities with incredible natural beauty. The facility features 29 designated campsites, many of which are beautifully situated right on the lake, offering immediate water access and stunning views. Visitors consistently praise the peaceful atmosphere and the excellent tree coverage that ensures privacy between sites. It’s the perfect setting for unplugging and immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the Northwestern Wisconsin wilderness.

Black Lake Campground caters to both tent and RV camping (up to 45 feet in some sites) and utilizes a mixed reservation system, where a number of sites are reservable while others are held for spontaneous, first-come, first-served adventurers. The affordable fee structure ($15/night, or $7.50 with a qualifying discount pass) makes it an accessible option for many Wisconsin families.

🗺️ Location and Accessibility for Wisconsin Users

Black Lake Campground is strategically located within the Great Divide Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, situated near the small community of Loretta, WI (54896, USA).

• Forest Setting: The campground is nestled in a beautiful forest of birch, pine, and spruce, providing a classic Northwoods environment that offers shade and seclusion.
• Driving Access: The campground is accessible via a well-marked route of paved and forest roads. Directions typically involve driving north on County Highway GG from Loretta, then turning onto Forest Road 172, and finally onto the paved campground road (Forest Road 1666). The entire drive is part of the experience, taking you deep into the forest.
• Regional Proximity: While remote, it is located approximately 30 minutes east of Hayward, WI, which serves as a major regional hub for groceries, supplies, bait shops, and emergency services.
• RV Access: While rustic, many sites feature hardened parking areas and can accommodate trailers up to 45 feet, though all sites are non-electric and back-in only.

💧 Services Offered

Black Lake Campground provides all the necessary amenities for a comfortable, rustic, non-electric stay, ensuring campers can focus on recreation and relaxation.

• Campsites: 29 non-electric sites are available. Every site is equipped with a hardened parking area, a sturdy picnic table, and a fire ring with a grill grate. Sites are large and well-spaced for privacy.
• Water: Potable drinking water is available on-site via hand water pumps. Visitors note the pumps work well, though they may require a little force.
• Sanitation: Accessible vault toilets are provided throughout the campground and are consistently reported by guests as being clean and tidy.
• Waste Management: Recycling and trash dumpsters are conveniently located within the campground, a welcome amenity in a rustic setting.
• Reservations: The campground uses a mixed system. Sites 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, and 29 are reservable via Recreation.gov, while the remaining sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, offering flexibility for spontaneous trips.
• Fees: The individual campsite fee is a very reasonable **$15/night** (with discounts available for Interagency Senior/Access Pass holders).

🏞️ Features / Highlights

The true draw of Black Lake Campground for Wisconsin outdoor enthusiasts lies in the lake itself and the comprehensive recreational features it offers.

• Abundant Lakefront Sites: A majority of the 29 sites are located directly on the lake, often within 50 feet of the shoreline. Each site typically has a small path leading down to the water, allowing campers to easily beach a canoe or kayak right by their site.
• Water Recreation Hub: The calm waters of the 129-acre Black Lake are perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The lake also features a grassy beach and two developed boat landings (including one paved ramp), making it easy to launch motorboats for fishing and exploration.
• Excellent Fishing: Black Lake is a 17-foot-deep drainage lake known for plentiful fishing, including highly sought-after species like Musky, Walleye, Bass, and Panfish.
• Black Lake Trail: The 4-mile Black Lake Trail circles the lake, starting near the campground entrance. This is an easy, leisurely interpretive hike that features information on the area’s logging history and Civilian Conservation Corps heritage. While some parts may be muddy or overgrown (as noted by a review), it is a vital feature for local hikers and a great place to walk with pets (which are allowed).
• Wildlife Sightings: The dense forest and calm lake are home to abundant Wisconsin wildlife, including frequent sightings of elk, deer, fox, and loons, enhancing the natural experience.

📞 Contact Information

For reservations, fee questions, or specific site details for this Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest facility, Wisconsin residents can utilize the following contact information.

Phone: (715) 362-1300

Mobile Phone: +1 715-362-1300

Address: Loretta, WI 54896, USA (Managed by the Great Divide Ranger District)

Reservations: Most sites are reservable via Recreation.gov.

⭐ What is Worth Choosing at Black Lake Campground

For the Wisconsin family or angler seeking an affordable, non-electric, and genuinely lake-centered camping experience, Black Lake Campground is an excellent choice. It is worth choosing for two main reasons:

First, the high concentration of beautiful, private, lakefront sites is rare for a rustic National Forest facility. Having a picnic table and fire ring with a path leading directly to the water’s edge is the ideal setup for a Northwoods vacation.

Second, the campground offers a perfect balance of primitive camping and necessary convenience. You get the quiet, natural solitude of a non-electric site, yet you still have clean vault toilets, potable water, and trash disposal, making it manageable for both tent and smaller RV campers. Black Lake provides the complete package for a peaceful, water-based, family-friendly getaway in the heart of Wisconsin’s Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.