In a recent post, I profiled one of our favorite northwoods campgrounds, Anvil Lake Campground, a simple Forest Service campground located in Wisconsin in the Nicolet National Forest. However, our favorite such camping spot, also in the Nicolet is the beautiful Franklin Lake Campground a few miles away in essentially the same neck of the woods. It was to this lovely spot we first brought our son camping when he was barely six months old.
It was Memorial Day weekend in 1992 and a frosty one at that. Temperatures plunged to freezing during the night and he slept in my sleeping bag with me in his snowsuit. In fact, he spent the entire weekend in that snowsuit. I think that early experience served him well as he is our child that most loves the out of doors, accompanies us on every camping or RV trip even at age 20 and, is an avid hiker and climber. As I write this we are preparing for our annual trip out west where we have planned to climb two more “Fourteeners” (peaks in excess of 14,000 above sea level). It is at Ryan’s urging that we strive for the highest peaks. But more about that another time…
Though he has little memory of his first camping adventure, his parents remember it vividly, and not only because of the temperature. We were struck with the beauty of Franklin Lake as well as the simple beauty of the campground itself. Considerably larger than Anvil Lake Campground, Franklin Lake boasts 75 sites, also large, wooded and private as they are strung along the shores of the lake. 
Again no hookups are available, but there are a multitude of recreational opportunities available with the lake easily accessible: swimming, boating, fishing, everything on could hope for in a natural environment. A number of these sites, also, are located on the shore of the lake, allowing swimming and boating access right from your campsite.
The campground also boasts a nature trail for those interested in learning a bit more about the variety of trees located in the forest. The trail winds through the campground and nearby forest grounds and is a good family activity, even for the little ones, when looking for a break from water activities. An Interpretive Center is also available as a tribute to the native peoples who first settled this property. Again, when looking for a beautiful and peaceful retreat in the northwoods to get away from it all, Franklin Lake Campground is our first choice.
For more information about Wisconsin camping, read more about Wisconsin campgrounds and things to do in Wisconsin.
Diane Berry
William–Yes, please come check it out! You will love it!
William Weed
An Rver for the last 6 years, but have not traveled in that area of the country. You’ve made us want to come and see it ourselves. Thanks you for sharing the information and will look at other areas wheile we’re there.
Diane Berry
Thanks for your comment. What a beautiful place to work!
lsparksrec
Dianne, we worked at a private camp on Lake Franklin about 40 years ago and have camped there a couple times since then. The Nicolet north woods was beautiful then and I’m sure it is still the same. We are looking forward to going back soon. Thanks for the reminder.
Diane Berry
David–thank you for your comment and congratulations on your impending retirement! Please come check out Wisconsin–you won’t be disappointed!
david huckabee
thank you for all the good info on the 2 lakes and the camping sites. my wife and i, have never visited Wisconsin. now now we have a very good reason to go, when we retire in 2013.
Diane Berry
You caught me butterbean–we kept each other toasty! Lol! It was a beautiful spot…
butterbean carpenter
Howdy Diane,
Don’t try kidding an OLD kidder; you kept that baby in there to warm you up… Sounds like a wonderful camping spot… Large spaces, spaced far apart; fantastic !!!! On the water….
Smooth roads, clear skies & balmy breezes !!!!!!!!!!