Camping

The Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area offers 66 remote campsites that are accessible by water only. Camping is allowed in designated campsites only. Designated sites all have a steel fire ring and an open-air pit toilet and are identified with a site number. Campers may NOT establish new campsites or camps at undesignated sites. Campers must occupy the site the first night and may not leave it unoccupied for more than one night thereafter (you may not leave unattended camping equipment to "save" a site).

Campsites at the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area are primitive and have no running water or trash receptacles. Visitors must carry out all garbage and recyclables when leaving the campsites.

• Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area map (includes campsites)
• GPS Coordinates for Boat Landings and Campsites

Reservations

Beginning in 2026, reservations will be required on all DNR campsites in the Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area from May 1 to November 30, and camping fees will be required. Outside the reservation season the department cannot guarantee campsite access or availability. Camping rates are based on residency, location, campsite type, day of week and season.

Reservations for DNR campsites can be made up to 11 months in advance of your planned date of occupancy. Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site.

Reserve a DNR campsite online or by calling 1-888-947-2757.

Reservation System Search Tip: On the reservation website, select the Boat-in button to find Turtle-Flambeau campsites.

Family campsites

Fifty-eight sites scattered throughout the property are designated family campsites. All are accessible via boat only. Seventeen of the family campsites include a picnic table as well as the fire ring and open-air pit toilet. These sites are designated with a letter "F" as the prefix to the site number.

One of the family sites includes facilities that make it more accessible to persons with physical disabilities. This is site number "A1" on the property map. This site can be reserved by persons with disabilities at no charge by contacting the Mercer Ranger Station at 715-614-5120.

These primitive sites have no running water or garbage receptacles available. Forty of the family sites are more rustic and do not include a picnic table. The site numbers for the rustic sites have a letter "R" prefix.

Group Campsites

There are eight group campsites in total. All group sites are accessible via boat only. These sites accommodate groups of 7 to 15 persons. These primitive sites have no running water or garbage receptacles available.

Two of the group sites (G1 and G2), are stand-alone group sites and include two fire rings and two open-air pit toilets.

Six group sites (B3 through B8), are divided into two groups of three sites clustered together sharing one toilet building. All of these sites are water access only and each one allows wheelchair access from the water. A picnic table, three benches and a fire-ring also occupy each site. 

Camping Tips

Because all campsites are remote, it is recommended that you leave your planned itinerary with friends or family so that you can be located in case of an emergency.

It is highly recommended to carry and use a battery-operated weather band radio to receive National Weather Service warnings or tune into WCQM 98.3 FM for local weather warnings. Staff are not on duty 24 hours a day.

In case of an emergency, call 911. You may want to bring a cell phone; however, cell phone coverage can sometimes be unreliable.

Bringing a GPS unit may be helpful for reporting the location of an emergency or for locating a campsite or boat landing using GPS Coordinates for Boat Landings and Campsites.

Sound carries long distances over water. Please be respectful of others and keep noise to a minimum. You may not operate any sound truck, loudspeaker, generator, chainsaw or other device that produces excessive, loud or unusual noise. Possession or discharge of any type of fireworks is illegal.

Bring water for drinking and cooking from home or use the hand pump at Springstead Landing. Consuming water from any lake or stream is not safe unless it has been properly treated.

Always store food securely out of the reach of animals. Never bring food into your tent.  

Bears

Bears can be present at this property. For more information about how to be prepared and precautions to minimize negative encounters, please see the Recreating in Areas with Bears web page.

Garbage and waste

Campsites at the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area are primitive and have no running water or trash receptacles. Visitors must carry out all garbage and recyclables when leaving the campsites. Do not leave items for the next campers to use; these things are generally not appreciated by others and tend to detract from the rustic setting. 

The Town of Mercer has a transfer/recycling site for dropping off garbage and recyclables for a fee. For more information and hours, see the Town of Mercer website.

Dry paper may be burned, but do not put plastic, cans, glass or other waste in the fire ring. You can reduce waste by packing supplies in reusable containers.

The open-air pit toilets at the campsites rely on composting action to reduce waste volume. Periodically pouring some water into the toilet will promote the composting action. DO NOT put refuse, chemicals or disposable diapers in the toilets; this will significantly reduce the life span of the toilet and could force closure of the campsite.

Fires and firewood

You are allowed to gather wood that is "dead and down" for your fire; however, available dead and down wood is becoming scarce. You should consider purchasing locally harvested firewood to bring to your campsite. There are several local businesses that sell bundled campfire wood.

As added insurance against introducing forest pests, please burn all your firewood; do not leave it for the next camper and do not transport it to other properties.

You MAY NOT cut standing trees whether they are live or dead. Standing dead "snag" trees provide valuable wildlife habitat. You MAY NOT use a chainsaw to cut firewood.

Prevent forest fires by confining your campfire to the steel fire ring provided at each campsite. Keep campfires small and burn only wood and clean paper. Make sure your fire is dead out before you leave.

Driftwood 

Driftwood provides valuable fish and wildlife habitat, adds to the unique character of the flowage, and stabilizes banks and the lake bottom. However, it is rapidly disappearing through natural processes and illegal harvest. 

State law prohibits the removal of driftwood from the property. We also ask that you not try to burn driftwood. Generally, driftwood is water-logged and does not burn well (even if it appears dry on the outside).

Other camping opportunities

Additional nearby camping opportunities are available at Lake of the Falls County Park located on the north end of the Flowage off County Highway FF; at Smith Rapids, Twin Lakes and Emily Lake campgrounds in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest; and at Sandy Beach Campground in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest.