Morgan Lake Campground

For generations of Wisconsin families, a trip to the Northwoods means an escape to tranquility, natural beauty, and cherished memories. Among the many hidden gems in our vast Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Morgan Lake Campground stands out as a beloved destination. It's a place where the simple pleasures of outdoor life truly shine, inviting locals from across the state to reconnect with nature and each other. As one long-time visitor fondly shared, "Been going to Morgan for more than 35 yrs. Group camp with the extended family. The grounds are great if you like the outdoors. Love love Morgan Lake!" This sentiment perfectly captures the enduring appeal of this rustic lakeside retreat.

Morgan Lake Campground offers a quintessential Wisconsin camping experience, particularly for those who appreciate a more natural setting without the hustle and bustle of overly developed parks. Nestled on the shores of a clear, 45-acre lake, the campground provides a serene backdrop for various outdoor activities. It embraces a back-to-basics approach, meaning you won't find modern amenities like electricity or plumbing at individual sites, fostering a genuine connection with the environment. However, essential facilities are thoughtfully provided to ensure a comfortable stay. The beauty of Morgan Lake lies in its ability to offer both individual solitude at its scenic campsites and the capacity for memorable group gatherings, making it a versatile choice for any Wisconsin adventure. From picking berries late in the season to enjoying endless hours of fishing, swimming, and rafting, Morgan Lake truly offers a slice of the idyllic Northwoods life that so many of us in Wisconsin cherish.

Morgan Lake Campground is strategically located within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, specifically near Long Lake, WI. Its address is listed as ROAD 2159, CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET, Long Lake, WI 54542, USA. This placement means it's nestled deep within the natural beauty of Northern Wisconsin, offering a true escape from urban centers.

Accessing Morgan Lake Campground requires a bit of an adventure, adding to its remote charm. As one reviewer noted, "Getting here requires driving several miles on gravel roads." However, they reassuringly added, "but the whole route is completely passable in a small car." This means that while you'll be venturing off the main paved highways, the journey is manageable for most vehicles, leading you directly to this tranquil destination. The primary route often involves taking Highway 139 north from Highway 8, then turning onto Forest Road 2159. This approach guides you through scenic forested landscapes, gradually transitioning you into the serene environment of the national forest. For Wisconsin locals, this manageable drive into the heart of the forest makes Morgan Lake an accessible yet wonderfully secluded option for their camping and outdoor recreation needs. The gravel roads, while requiring a bit of careful driving, ensure that the campground maintains its peaceful, remote feel, preserving the natural experience for all who visit.

Morgan Lake Campground, managed by the U.S. Forest Service, offers a range of services designed to provide a comfortable yet rustic camping experience, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the natural environment. While it prioritizes a traditional outdoor feel, essential amenities are thoughtfully provided.

• Individual Family Campsites: The campground features 18 individual family campsites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill, perfect for cooking over an open flame and enjoying meals outdoors. These sites are designed to be shaded and offer pleasant levels of seclusion due to vegetation between them.
• Group Campsite: A dedicated group campsite is available, which can accommodate up to 25 people and up to four vehicles (including one RV or trailer). This site offers enhanced privacy from the individual sites and comes with its own pit toilet, making it ideal for larger family gatherings or extended group trips.
• Accessible Pit and Vault Toilets: Throughout the campground, accessible pit and vault toilets are provided. Reviewers consistently praise their cleanliness, ensuring a more comfortable experience even without flush toilets.
• Drinking Water: Potable drinking water is available via a hand pump at the campground. While one reviewer noted the water can have iron and sediment, they also confirmed it's good after settling, indicating a reliable source for basic needs.
• Gravel Parking Surfaces: All campsite spurs and campground roads are gravel, accommodating both tents and RVs/trailers, with varying maximum lengths for RVs (from 25 to 40 feet).
• Trash Collection and Recycling Bins: For convenience and environmental stewardship, trash collection and recycling bins are available throughout the campground, encouraging proper waste disposal.
• Boat Landing: A public boat landing with a ramp is available, providing easy access to Morgan Lake for non-motorized boats and those with electric motors only.
• Day Use Area: Adjacent to the campground is a day-use area featuring a swimming beach with sandy shallows and a shady picnic area, accessible to both individual and group campers.

It is important to note that utility hookups (electricity, water, sewer) are not available at any of the campsites, aligning with the campground's rustic nature. Generators are permitted during specific hours (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM). Reservations for both individual and group sites can be made through Recreation.gov or by calling Reserve America, though some first-come, first-served sites are usually available.

Morgan Lake Campground offers several compelling features and highlights that make it a standout destination for Wisconsin locals seeking a memorable outdoor experience.

• Serene Lakeside Setting: The campground is beautifully situated on the clear, 45-acre Morgan Lake, offering many lakeside sites with partial to open views of the water. This provides direct access for swimming, fishing, and boating with electric motors only, ensuring a peaceful aquatic environment. As one reviewer aptly put it, "Gorgeous ridge-top campsites. Mid week in August there were numerous lakeside sites to choose from."
• Ideal for Group Camping: A significant highlight is the spacious and private group campsite, capable of accommodating up to 25 people and multiple vehicles. This feature makes it exceptionally well-suited for extended family gatherings or friends' reunions, fostering a communal yet private outdoor experience. "The group site was great. Spacious & private for our family camping trip," confirmed a satisfied customer.
• Excellent for Water Activities: Morgan Lake is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, paddling, and swimming, thanks to its clear waters and sandy beach. Anglers will appreciate the opportunities for year-round fishing, with largemouth bass being abundant. Reviewers confirm "We raft and swim and fish."
• ATV/UTV Friendly: For enthusiasts, the campground permits ATVs and UTVs and provides direct access to "hundreds of miles of ATV routes and trails" in Florence, Forest, and Marinette Counties. This makes it a prime basecamp for off-road adventures.
• Sense of Seclusion and Natural Beauty: Despite being accessible, the campground maintains a remote and secluded feel, with "plenty of undergrowth between sites" for privacy. The surrounding "thick timber" and "scenic pine, birch, and hardwood forest" contribute to a truly immersive nature experience, with sounds of loons calling in the evening adding to the tranquility.
• Rivaling Other Top Campgrounds: One reviewer noted that Morgan Lake "seems to be the one place that can rival the ridgetop sites and good spacing and vegetation between sites that Sevenmile offered," highlighting its superior layout and natural separation between campsites.

For more information or to plan your visit to Morgan Lake Campground, please use the following contact details:

Address:

ROAD 2159, CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET, Long Lake, WI 54542, USA

Morgan Lake Campground is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, specifically under the Eagle River-Florence Ranger District. For general inquiries about the campground, current conditions, or specific regulations, it's best to contact the managing ranger district.

Eagle River-Florence Ranger District Office Phone:

(715) 479-2827 (This is the most common phone number for the Eagle River office which often manages these sites).

For reservations, which are highly recommended, especially for the popular group site and during peak season, you should use the official federal reservation system:

Reservations Website: www.recreation.gov

Reservation Phone: 1-877-444-6777 (Reserve America)

It's always a good idea to check the Recreation.gov website for the most up-to-date information on availability, fees, and any alerts or closures before planning your trip.

Morgan Lake Campground is an outstanding choice for locals across Wisconsin, offering a quintessential Northwoods experience that resonates deeply with our state's outdoor heritage. Its blend of rustic charm and essential amenities makes it accessible to a wide range of campers, from those who cherish a simple tenting experience to families with RVs. The ability to reserve sites, including a spacious group camp, makes it incredibly convenient for planning family reunions or friendly getaways that have been a tradition for "more than 35 yrs," as one local highlighted.

For Wisconsinites, the draw of Morgan Lake extends beyond just camping. The clear, electric-motor-only lake provides a peaceful haven for swimming, fishing, and paddling, offering a refreshing escape from the summer heat. Its direct access to extensive ATV/UTV trails also caters to a popular recreational activity in Northern Wisconsin, allowing locals to explore the vast forest landscape. Even the "gravel roads" leading in contribute to the feeling of adventure, reminding us that true natural beauty often lies just a bit off the beaten path. Morgan Lake Campground isn't just a place to stay; it's a cherished destination where Wisconsin families can create new traditions, reconnect with nature, and build lasting memories in the heart of their beloved Northwoods.

Morgan Lake Campground

ROAD 2159,CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET,, Long Lake, WI 54542, USA