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Camping

Chippewa Flowage

Property Notice: Beginning in 2025, the 11 DNR island campsites in the Chippewa Flowage will require reservations and a camping fee to camp at these sites.

There are 18 primitive island campsites on the Chippewa Flowage. Eleven sites are on DNR islands, and the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) tribe manages seven sites. One DNR campsite, Cedar Tops West, has been improved with accessible facilities. All campsites are accessible by water only, and due to their remoteness, it is recommended that campers leave an itinerary with friends or relatives.

Each campsite is marked with a sign and has a fire ring, picnic table and open-air box latrine. Camping is allowed in designated campsites only. Campers may not establish new campsites or camp at undesignated sites. Camping is also available at private resorts on the flowage.

DNR campsites

For 2024, DNR campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis with no fees. Beginning in 2025, reservations will be required on all 11 DNR campsites, and camping fees will be required. Camping rates will be based on residency, location, campsite type, day of week and season.

LCO campsites

The Lac Courte Oreilles Conservation Department provides island camping by reservation and fee on six island campsites. The camping fee is $47.50 for one night, payable to the LCO Conservation Department. The maximum stay at LCO campsites is five nights, with an arrival/departure time of 11 a.m. Reservations may be made by calling 715-634-0102 starting April 1.

Tribal islands have great cultural and historical significance to the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe. The Ojibwe people greatly respect these waters that now cover areas of their tribal homeland and wish you to share their respect. While camping on these islands, please do not cut wood for fires. Even if a tree is dead, it may not be cut for firewood. Each campsite has a picnic table, primitive toilet, fire ring and steel grate for cooking. Please practice leave-no-trace camping.

Fires and Firewood

Firewood can harbor pests such as spongy moths, emerald ash borer and oak wilt that threaten the local forest. Regulations regarding the transport of firewood aim to stop this threat. It is illegal to bring firewood to this or any other state property from more than 10 miles away, and it is also illegal to bring firewood from outside the state.

You should purchase locally harvested firewood to bring to your campsite. Several local businesses sell bundled campfire wood. For added assurance against introducing forest pests, please burn all your firewood. Do not leave it for the next camper, and do not transport it away from the area. 

Camping rules

These simple rules are enforced to ensure a clean, quiet, and safe experience on the Chippewa Flowage. Please enjoy your outing on the flowage!

  1. Camping is allowed only at designated, signed island campsites. No new campsites may be established.
  2. Sites must be occupied the same day that they are set up.
  3. The camper's maximum stay is 10 days.
  4. Campers should use the pit toilet provided at each campsite.
  5. Campsites must be kept free of litter, rubbish and other flammable materials. 
  6. Burn only paper products and wood in fire pits and extinguish fires completely using water or clean soil. Do not leave a fire unattended.
  7. All plastic, cans, glass and trash must be carried out and disposed of properly when leaving. Do not place in pit toilets. Trash receptacles are provided at public landings.
  8. Do not cut, carve or deface trees, tables or benches, or drive nails into trees. Please do not hang lanterns from trees.
  9. Chainsaws, generators and fireworks are prohibited.
  10. Be considerate of others. Keep noise to a minimum. Please clean up after your pet. Leave the campsite cleaner than you found it.

Bears

Black bears are occasionally known to visit some campsites on the islands. Do not leave food items on picnic tables or store in tents. Please keep a clean campsite and deposit all garbage in receptacles located at the public boat landings.

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).