Franklin Lake

Chequamegon-Nicolet NF — lakeside, fishing, hiking

Location: EAGLE RIVER, WI, WI

Price: From $15 per night

Price range: $15–$25 per night

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (102 reviews)

Season: May through October

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.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.

Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Drinking Water, Fishing

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/franklin-lake to be notified when sites open up.

Franklin Lake is one of the most popular camping spots in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, featuring historic CCC structures on the National Register of Historic Places, set among tall pines and hemlocks on the edge of clear blue Franklin Lake waters with access to hiking trails. Real campers rate it 4.8/5 stars and call it a gem with a clean lake, nice beach, and peaceful setting.

Wildlife alert: Common Loon, White-tailed Deer, Northern Flying Squirrel, Common Merganser, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Painted Turtle

Insider tips for Franklin Lake: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand Arrive on weekdays to secure a site more easily Request waterfront sites with lake access steps when booking

Skip Franklin Lake if: You need RV hookups — no hookups available at most sites, only suitable for self-contained RVs. You require year-round camping — seasonal operations only May through October.

Best time to visit Franklin Lake: May-October — Official seasonal operations period. Weekdays — Campers report difficulty finding sites on weekends despite 76 total sites available.

Nearby campgrounds: Anvil Lake Campground (EAGLE RIVER, WI), Luna White Deer Campground (Eagle River, WI), Kentuck Lake Campground (Eagle River, WI), Spectacle Lake Campground (Wisconsin) (Eagle River, WI).