Boulder Lake Campground
Boulder Lake Beach and Picnic Area
Popular Boulder Lake offers one of the few Nicolet campgrounds where you can reserve a campsite, but all of the lakeside sites are first come-first served. To camp at one of these desirable sites, you'll have to arrive early in the week. Boulder Lake is also one of the few Nicolet campgrounds that provides showers and flush toilets, while still preserving newer vault toilets and hand pumps for those who prefer the more rustic experience most Nicolet federal campgrounds are known for. Electrical hookups are available on sites 9-16 and 40-54. There are six group campsites available for groups up to 16 people (photo of the Balsam Group Campsite), and four group sites that can accomodate up to 30 people. The campground has a picnic area with amphitheater (photo), swim beach (photo), and a boat landing (photo). There is a narrow beach area (photo) between the boat landing and main beach where campers park their kayaks and boats and you can take your dog for a swim (no dogs are allowed in the main beach and picnic areas). You can fish on 362-acre Boulder Lake for walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish. Several nearby streams offer trout fishing, and the nearby Wolf River offers opportunities for world class white water canoeing, rafting, and trout fishing. There are two hiking trails connected to the campground. The larger Boulder Lake Trail is described below and has access points throughout the campground. A smaller Nature Trail begins at the boat landing parking lot. Boulder Lake is shared with private residences.
Camping: The campground is composed of six loops with a connecting spur near the south shore of Boulder Lake in a stand of young hardwoods. The parking aprons are paved. Most sites will accomodate any size RV. An RV waste station is available at the campground. Flush toilets and showers are available.
Campsites 1-8 are located on a small loop near the entrance to the campground. Site 1 is the best of these sites, medium-sized and shady on a small hill. Site 3 is medium-sized and shady, across the road from the path to the lake, but like the remaining sites in this loop, which are similar to site 3, it is too open to the road and lacks privacy. The sites in this loop are closest to the beach and boat landing.
In the wooded 9-16 loop, site 9 is small, shady, and near the road. Sites 10-12 are medium-sized and shady but also are located too close to the road. Site 13 is medium-sized and shady at the base of a hill, similar to site 15. Site 14 is elevated on a small hill, medium-sized and shady. Site 16 is medium-sized, shady, and too open to the road.
Sites 17-39 are all located on the connecting spur between the campground's loops. The most sought-after lakeside sites are located here. Site 17 (photo 1) - (photo 2) - (photo 3) is arguably the best of the lakeside campsites, large and partially sunny, with a nice lakeview and small beach area. Site 18 (photo) is similar to site 17, but a little smaller. Site 19 is medium-sized and shady across the road from the lakeside sites, similar to sites 21, 23, 27, 28, 30, and 33. Site 22 (photo) is medium-sized and shady with a lakeview through the trees and path to the lake, similar to site 20. Site 24 (photo) is medium-sized and shady, with a lakeview through the trees and a small beach area, similar to sites 25, 26 (larger), 29, and 31. Sites 32 and 34 are smaller lakeside sites, shady with views of the lake through the trees and paths to the lake. Site 35 is medium-sized and shady where the road starts truning away from the lake. There is a partial lakeview through the trees and longer path to the shore. Site 37, 38, and 39 are medium-large shady sites near the flush toilets and shower building.
In the 40-54 loop, medium-sized, wooded, shady sites include 40, 42, 43, 44 (partially sunny), 45-53, and 54 (up an incline). Site 41 is medium-sized, open to the road, partially sunny, and next to the shower/flush toilet building. The campsites in this section are all pretty average, but are favored by those who want easy access to the "indoor plumbing".
Along the road to the two loops at the end of the campground are sites 55-68. These sites are all wooded, medium-sized and shady, with two of the campsites, 61 and 63, the best picks here, as they are deeper and a little larger than the rest.
In the 69-80 loop, small, shady sites include 69, 70, and 76. Site 71 (photo) is located up an incline, is large and shady, with two different camping sections, and would work well for two families who want to camp together. Sites 73 and 75 are connected, medium-sized and shady, and make a good double site. Site 72 is medium-sized and shady but too close to the road. Site 74 (photo) is medium-sized and shady, located up a small incline. Sites 76-79 are medium-sized and shady wooded sites. Site 80 (photo) is medium-sized and shady with a deep driveway, and is close to the well and vault toilets..
In the 81-89 loop, the campsites are all medium-sized, shady, and wooded. Sites 85 (photo) and 86 (photo) are typical of these sites. Sites 87-89 are slightly larger than the rest, with site 87 partially sunny and next to the trail entrance.
Map of Boulder Lake Campground - Eastern Section
Map of Boulder Lake Campground - Western Section
Directions with Map, and Size of Campsites (Site Type, Max RV/Trailer Length)
Directions: From the intersection of Highways 64 and 55 in Langlade, drive south 5 miles on Highway 55 to County Road WW in Markton. Turn left (east) on WW
From Keshena, drive north 20 miles on Highway 55 to Markton. Turn right (east) on WW and drive 0.6 mile to to Campground Drive (FR 2116). Turn left (north) on Campground Drive and continue 1.2 miles to the campground.
Other Area Attractions:
Jones Spring Area Trail: Jones Spring is a 2,000-acre area managed for non-motorized use and offers several loops of hiking and cross-country ski trails. The area has three lakes. Fanny Lake has 5 walk-in campsites on the shore. On an overlook between Upper and Lower Jones Lakes, you'll find an Adirondack-style shelter for resting or picnicking. The trail traverses a variety of landscapes and forest types, including marshes and open springs, and features many kinds of wildlife. Look for the wood duck boxes which have been placed here to increase the wood duck population. The trails include 4 loops with a total of 11 miles, ranging from easy to difficult.
Directions: From Townsend, take County Highway T southwest for 5 miles to Fanny Lake Road (FR 2938). Turn right and follow Fanny Lake Road west to the parking area. There is parking space for 6 vehicles.
Lakewood Cross-Country Ski Trail:
The Lakewood Ski Trail winds through beautiful, wooded settings with rolling hills. The 22 kilometer main trail, known as the blue trail, is continuous between McCaslin Brook Country Club and County Highway F, and varies from easy to most difficult. Several secondary loops connect to the blue trail. The blue trail is maintained for both cross-country skiing and ski skating. Mountain bikes are welcome in the summer, but are not allowed on the golf course section of the trail.
Directions: Take County Highway F east from Lakewood. Trail access points are at McCaslin Country Club, Old Highway 32 (FR 2106), Smyth Road (FR 2101), Sullivan Springs Road (FR 2330), and County Highway F at Riverside Road.
Quartz Hill Trail:
The Quartz Hill Trail has two sections, one located on the east and one on the west side of State Highway 32. The east section runs across a boardwalk to the top of McCaslin Mountain; the distance is about .6 mile. It has moderately steep sections, but the view from the top of this rock outcrop is worth the climb. Along the trail to the top, you will pass a quartz crystal deposit with an informational sign which describes how early Native Americans came here to quarry quartz to create tools.
The west portion of this trail leads to the site of the Carter Fire Lookout Tower; this section is about .75 mile in length. Once used to spot forest fires, all that remains now are the tower footings and the roadway. Most fire towers on the Nicolet were erected in the 1930's and have since been discontinued as aerial surveillance took over.
Directions: From Carter, take Highway 32 south 1 mile. The parking area is on the west side of the highway, and a sign with a trail map is at the trailhead. To get to the east portion of the trail from the parking lot you must cross over State Highway 32, so be cautious for the high-speed traffic.
Nicolet Nordic Ski Trails:
The Nicolet Nordic Ski Trails are cross-country trails groomed by volunteer efforts of local ski club members and friends in cooperation with the Forest Service. Most of the trails are double-tracked. A trail map is located at the trailhead. The trail consists of 5 loops, varying in length from 1.5 to 4.5 miles with a total of 11 miles, varying from easy to difficult.
Directions: From the town of Mountain, follow County Highway W west for 1 mile to McComb Lake Road (FR 2311). Turn left and go south 2 miles to the parking area on the left (east) side of the road. There is parking for approximately 30 vehicles.
Boulder Lake Campground Trail:
A wooden boardwalk begins your journey into a world of primitive bog vegetation, deer trails, and woodpeckers' hideaways. You will see the huge boulders left behind when the last glacier receded and formed this rugged terrain over 10,000 years ago. The trail, two miles of moderately rolling terrain, can be accessed by campers from several points in the campground.
Directions: From Langlade, take State Highway 55 south for 5 miles to County Highway WW. Turn left and go east .5 mile to Campground Road (FR 2166). Turn left onto Campground Road and head north to Boulder Lake Campground. As you enter the campground, go past the road to the boat ramp (on your left). Turn at the first right, just past the entry information area into the parking area. A trail map is located at the trailhead.
Chute Pond Overlook:
This 2/3 mile, moderate to difficult trail leads to the top of a rock outcrop that features 5 vistas. Three of the vistas overlook Chute Pond, one overlooks a Forest Service plantation, and one looks north along Highway 32 with Bagley Rapids on the west and Green Lake on the east. At the northernmost vista, you can look north to see the last remaining Forest Service fire lookout tower almost 6 miles away at Mountain. Looking south from the southernmost vista you can see the radio tower on Suring Hill, about 8 miles away.
Directions: From Mountain, take State Highway 32 south for 3.5 miles to Parkway Drive and turn right (west). Follow the signs to the Scenic Overlook.
Lakewood Auto Tour: This 65-mile self-guided tour takes you in a loop around the Lakewood and Mountain areas. There are 17 stops which highlight wildlife, natural history, and forest management. Many large sections of forest were damaged in this area by a tornado in the summer of 2007.
Cathedral Pines: This area survived Wisconsin's logging era and has been preserved in its natural state. One of Wisconsin's largest active heron colonies nest here in the tallest pines.
Waupee Flowage: This flowage was created to improve wetland habitat for waterfowl. Here you can view the 100-acre flowage and spot eagles, osprey, and a variety of waterfowl.
Oconto River Fishing Trail: This accessible trail contains boardwalks that lead you to several platforms where you can either fish for trout or rest and enjoy the scenic river. Three backpack campsites are also adjacent to the trail.
Bass Lake Swim/Picnic Area: Beautiful clear water awaits you at Bass Lake. This area offers a large sandy beach with a picnic area that has grills and picnic tables. A restroom facility is provided and the area is open from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Oconto River Canoe Trail: The Oconto River Canoe Trail offers areas of quiet water canoeing opportunities, interspersed with shallow rapids. Caution is advised near the Bagley Rapids area due to very fast water and rocky rapids.
Oconto River Seed Orchard: ORSO is a Forest Service Research Area located three miles east of Langlade. The public can visit this orchard and see how the Forest Service is combatting white pine blister rust and trying to select genetically superior trees. These new strains of trees will be used to produce higher quality and faster growing timber.
Popple Ridge Horse Trail: This popular 15-mile trail is located north of Highway 64 and just to the east of Highway 55. All trails are marked with equestrian trail signs. The Popple Ridge Horse Trail Camping Area is located on the south end of Setting Lake Road.
Bluegill Creek Impoundment: This impoundment consists of nearly 75 acres of sedge meadow and was created in 1999 to provide habitat for waterfowl through a partnership with the Forest Service and other organizations. This is a great place for hunting, trapping, fishing, canoeing, or wildlife viewing. A barrier free access trail with benches is adjacent to the impoundment.
For directions to any of the Lakewood attractions listed here, please visit the Lakewood Forest Service Office where a variety of booklets and brochures are available, detailing the Nicolet's trails, wildlife, history, and other features.
The Beach at Boulder Lake
