Franklin Lake Campground, Eagle River, WI

Franklin Lake Campground is located in the Eagle River-Florence Ranger District, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (1 hr 51 min northeast of Wausau, WI) with an elevation of 1,718 feet. There are a total of 77 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. 75 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 24 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $18.00. Some amenities include boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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45.93453, -88.99100
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(715) 479-2827 (Information)
(715) 479-2827 (Reservations)
$15 - $18

Campsite Reviews (60)

4.6 out of 5

5 star		78%
4 star		8%
3 star		5%
2 star		5%
1 star		0%

@BarbaraW341429 · Camped on Sep 3, 2024 at Campsite #40

First time camping at Franklin Lake and we would rate it at the top of our list! The electric sites were large and spaced a substantial distance from each other. Restrooms with flush toilets were a plus and the trail along the lake was beautiful! Even though its a distance from home, we will definitely be back!

@LynnS1903043 · Camped on Aug 25, 2024 at Campsite #34

We very much enjoyed our stay at Franklin Lake. It is a long drive into the campground but it is beautiful! We have a 33' 5th wheel and our site (34) was plenty big and pretty private. The road is a bit narrow and that made backing in a bit of a challenge but not a major issue. The host couple was friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the trails, too, as they were really pretty and not difficult to navigate.

@PhoebeS230DC1E · Camped on Aug 16, 2024 at Campsite #3

Franklin is a great lake for young swimmers. Fairly shallow and calm. Campsites are fairly private. Clean bathrooms.Nice options for short or long hikes - but bring bug spray and a bug net for summer hiking on the Hidden Lakes trail!

@DanielK2430073 · Camped on Aug 11, 2024 at Campsite #60

Beautiful location, nice flat camping area, there were a ton of rocks that were impossible to clear from the site, but with a decent sleeping pad they were not a factor. Super easy check in (literally just drive up to your site), and we were right on the lake. Definitely will camp here again.

@JoyH9920179 · Camped on Aug 10, 2024 at Campsite #42

Spacious campsites. Ours was not directly on the water, but we still had a nice lake view. We LOVED the hiking trail along the lake and another short hike to a much smaller lake. The area is very remote so don't plan on quick access to gas or convenience stores. Campground hosts were very helpful. No onsite black water dump station.

@AlanEA28F8CD8B · Camped on Aug 5, 2024 at Campsite #35

The sites have been improved over the last couple of years. Like new picnic tables, firepits and electric to some sites. The restrooms still only have cold water and there are no showers. Swim area is nice and the water is shallow for a good distance.

@AliceG5405700 · Camped on Aug 4, 2024 at Campsite #28

Truly the only thing keeping me from giving an Excellent rating is (and I gotta believe you've heard this over and over), the online ORDEAL of trying to get a site is AWFUL! For us tent campers who happen to need access to toilet facilities AND who stay for longer than a 3 or 4 day weekend, is getting to be very tenuous. The reserved sites are scattered into tiny blocks that make longer stays near impossible to obtain. This year we needed to leave a full week later than desired just to get an 11 or 12 day span. Forget getting sites close together; that option is null. I had hoped that the electric addition to sites 28 thru 40 would be for tent only. That puts us in proximity of a toilet. AND those sites are nice sized for tents. We're seeing larger and larger rigs coming in & utilizing those sites. What a shame. On a GREAT note, this year's volunteer hosts in this front section were PHENOMENAL! Bathrooms were unbelievable clean & well supplied throughout our visit. It also looked like the Forestry Service did a bit of clean up to the adjoining woods. Thanks to all.

@TerryC3713393 · Camped on Aug 1, 2024 at Campsite #53

There was fresh gravel poured on the site. Very poorly distributed. Not level. Husband spent a couple of ours spreading it around evenly because we kept tripping on the mounds of gravel.The restrooms were never cleaned once in the entire time we were there. There was feces on the toilet. The caretaker would drive by on his golf cart, never even get off of the cart and look into them to see if there was toilet paper then drive away. He did this several times a day. Disgusting!

@JenniferL39143 · Camped on Jul 18, 2024 at Campsite #55

I have been camping at Franklin Lake for 48 years and absolutely love the camp ground and all of its amenities. Such a beautiful and peaceful place. Pit toilets were much cleaned and smelled better than years past. Nice job to the camp ground hosts.

@LauraB4922005 · Camped on Jul 14, 2024 at Campsite #22

I haven't been here in 30 years, it's still just as magical and beautiful. Lots of horse flies and mosquitos so plan accordingly. Beautiful, clean lake. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

@PamelaJ4BCF517 · Camped on Jun 18, 2024 at Campsite #32

We came mid week which was wonderfully quiet and peaceful. While mosquitos and ticks were present in large numbers, that was a minor problem and far outweighed by our site, camp host's ability to answer questions, beauty of the lake and the campgrounds in general. We could have easily spent many more nights there.Flush toilets and running water in our area were a plus, as was electricity availability.We biked the Three Eagle Trail and were thoroughly impressed.

@ShaneH2606384 · Camped on Jun 16, 2024 at Campsite #35

Love the historic buildings and the clear lakes

@RaymondZ1573AB · Camped on Jun 16, 2024 at Campsite #25

Site was excellent. Weather not so much.

@PatriciaR58138 · Camped on May 24, 2024 at Campsite #2

Campsite was impeccable and the camp hosts were courteous. Bathroom facilities were clean. We enjoyed the hikes and the lake. Neighbors were respectful and friendly. Franklin lake is a go-to for my family.

@DonaldC5913877 · Camped on Sep 5, 2023 at Campsite #29

Has to be the best National Forest campground we have ever stayed at! Matter of fact it was better than most of the state parks we have stayed at. The flush toilets and available electrical was a pleasant surprise. The nature trail was quite nice (wish it was a bit longer) but at the same time there are plenty of other trails nearby to explore. The Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail was nearby that turned out to be wonderful - we did 30 miles and not on e-bikes! Beautiful. We will be back!

@JeremyR5922528 · Camped on Sep 1, 2023 at Campsite #22

Very clean campground and pretty quiet

@LarryC7765348 · Camped on Aug 28, 2023 at Campsite #23

We were first time campers at Franklin Lake and were thoroughly impressed with the size and layout of the campsites. The lake itself was amazing, with clear water and sandy beach. It was a peaceful, quiet campground.

@PamelaS2519925 · Camped on Aug 28, 2023 at Campsite #25

great views & walking paths, nice size campsites, Dusty was great.

@JohnB8383631 · Camped on Aug 21, 2023 at Campsite #39

just very relaxing

@JAMESS8693241 · Camped on Aug 13, 2023 at Campsite #60

Great place to hike, swim or just relax watching the sun set. Mornings get woken to to call of loons.

@Elizabeth31927 · Camped on Aug 7, 2023 at Campsite #18

It was a very nice campground. The site we were at 18 was a it tricky to back our camper in Id say max 20ft for that site. Definitely others that would be easier. Was surprised both campsites next to us werent booked even though the cards said reserved. We will definitely be back.

@kathyd9839154 · Camped on Jul 30, 2023 at Campsite #56

This is one of my favorite places to camp! Beautiful clear lake, great for swimming and fishing! The campground has one of the best beaches Ive ever been to, and its shallow for younger kids to enjoy. Beautiful sunsets every night! The campground is also close to Butternut Lake, which is another great lake for fishing or kayaking. The Hiles fire department has a firewood stand at the intersection of Butternut Lake road and Babcock Road. All proceeds go to the fire department, EMS, and first responders! The only downside is that the closest place to get ice is about 10 miles away now that the butternut lodge isnt open anymore.

@JoleneB5258585 · Camped on Jul 25, 2023 at Campsite #42

First time camping here and first time camping as a family. We had rain and storms and were tent camping. The sites are level and we didnt get any rain in our tent. The road around the campground is paved and clean for biking and walking. The campground was 100% reserved and yet it was still quiet and peaceful. The fire pits were large and the attached grate made it easy to cook our meals on. The boat launch is shallow, if you are launching a boat, make it a small one. The swim beach was very clean and water was clear. We will definitely visit again.

@MatthewB318226 · Camped on Jul 14, 2023 at Campsite #37

The camp host from site 11 was extremely rude. She is not good with other campers and shouldn't be in a position where she needs to communicate with other campers. The campground overall was good aside from the run-ins with the camp host. I've been going to this campground for more than 25 years. This was the first time I had any problems with the camp host. Hopefully she isn't back next year.

@MeganE1702895 · Camped on Jun 15, 2023 at Campsite #40

Site 040 is a great site and I would definitely stay there again. You're close to the main road, toilet house, and potable water but you're not right on top of anyone. There is a site directly across the loop road which was great for us as we had family staying there. Site 040 is now part of the electrified loop and the boxes were installed but not turned on the weekend of our stay. Franklin Lake is one of our favorite campgrounds!

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