Windsor Dam Campground

Hello, Wisconsin outdoor enthusiasts! When you’re planning a camping trip in our beautiful state, especially in the vast and wild expanse of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, it’s crucial to have the most up-to-date information. Today, we're focusing on Windsor Dam, near Crandon, Wisconsin, a location that holds a unique place in the local camping landscape. While it was once a designated campground, its status has changed, and understanding these changes is key to a successful and enjoyable outdoor experience.

For many years, Windsor Dam operated as a rustic campground, offering a basic yet charming spot for campers to connect with nature. However, in 2015, the National Forest made the difficult decision to close this campground, along with several others, as part of a recreation budget rebalancing. This means that Windsor Dam, as a maintained, developed campground, no longer exists in its former capacity.

Despite its closure as a formal campground, the area remains a truly beautiful and remote spot. Recent information indicates that as of 2020, plans were in place to remove remaining infrastructure and keep the entrance gated, reclassifying the area as "general forestland." This reclassification has significant implications for how you can now utilize this peaceful location. It is now primarily open to "dispersed camping," which offers a different kind of wilderness experience compared to a traditional campground.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a factual and clear overview of Windsor Dam, emphasizing its current status and how you, as a local Wisconsin user, can still enjoy its natural beauty. We’ll discuss its location, the implications for services and features, and provide contact information for the managing authority. Our goal is to ensure you’re well-informed, enabling you to make the most of this unique area for fishing, quiet contemplation, and rustic outdoor living.

Windsor Dam is located on Windsor Dam Rd, Crandon, WI 54520, USA. This address places it deep within the expansive Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, a vast federal forestland covering over 1.5 million acres across northern Wisconsin. Crandon, the county seat of Forest County, serves as a gateway to this beautiful wilderness, known for its dense forests, numerous lakes, and opportunities for remote recreation.

The location on Windsor Dam Road implies a setting that is inherently remote and secluded. While it was once an "8-site rustic campground," its current status as "general forestland" means that direct vehicle access into the former campground sites is no longer permitted, and the "entrance gated." This means that while you can likely drive to the general vicinity of Windsor Dam Road, you will not be able to drive directly into the old campground area.

For Wisconsin residents seeking this location, it's important to understand the nature of forest roads. They can vary in condition, with some being gravel and potentially becoming rutted after rain. While one review notes "no downed trees on the campground road and few in the sites" as of 2020, indicating relatively clear access to the former area by foot, campers should be prepared for a walk to reach their dispersed camping spot.

Accessibility, therefore, is primarily for those willing to engage in "dispersed camping." This typically means finding a suitable, undeveloped spot in the general forestland that adheres to National Forest rules (e.g., camping at least 150 feet from any water source and 100 feet from trails or roads). While the exact phone number provided might be for the local Forest Service office, it is the primary point of contact for detailed information on forest access and dispersed camping regulations in this specific area. The remote nature ensures a truly peaceful experience, but it also necessitates thorough preparation.

It is crucial to understand that Windsor Dam Campground, as a maintained facility, was closed by the National Forest in 2015. As of 2020, "plans are in place to soon remove the remaining infrastructure here and keep the entrance gated." The area has been reclassified as "general forestland," meaning that traditional campground services are no longer provided.

Therefore, the services offered are effectively *none* in the sense of a developed campground.

• No Vault Toilets: Previously available, the former vault toilets are no longer accessible for public use.
• No Running Water/Hand Pumps: The hand pump for water that was previously available is no longer accessible. Campers must bring their own water or be prepared to filter natural water sources.
• No Maintained Campsites: The former 8-site campground is no longer maintained. Campers using the area for dispersed camping must find their own suitable, undeveloped spots.
• No Garbage Collection: There are no trash collection services. Campers must adhere to "Leave No Trace" principles, meaning "pack it in, pack it out" for all waste.
• No Formal Fire Rings/Picnic Tables: While you might find remnants of old fire rings, they are not maintained, and new fire rings are not provided. Campers should be prepared to create their own safe fire area following forest regulations or use a camp stove. No picnic tables are provided.
• Dispersed Camping Allowed: The area "will remain open to dispersed camping." This means you can camp in undeveloped areas of the forest, adhering to specific regulations from the U.S. Forest Service (e.g., distance from water, roads, trails).
• Cost for Dispersed Camping: One review mentions it "Costs 5 dollars to camp here" for dispersed camping. This may refer to a day-use fee for the broader recreational area or a self-registration fee if any system exists, but it's important to verify this with the Forest Service as dispersed camping in National Forests is often free, as long as rules are followed.

For anyone considering camping at Windsor Dam, the key takeaway is complete self-sufficiency. You must be prepared to bring all necessary supplies, including water, and pack out all waste.

• Peaceful, Remote Setting: The most significant highlight is its tranquil and secluded nature. It's a "peaceful, remote spot for camping and fishing," offering a true escape from crowds.
• Beautiful Natural Scenery: Located within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the area boasts natural beauty, with serene surroundings ideal for nature observation and relaxation.
• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: The dam and associated water body are noted as great for "fishing," making it an ideal spot for anglers seeking a quiet experience.
• Open to Dispersed Camping: While not a traditional campground, its reclassification as general forestland means it's available for dispersed camping, providing a primitive, "back-to-basics" outdoor experience.
• Well-Weathered Former Campground: Despite its closure, the former campground area "has weathered its closure exceptionally well," with "no downed trees on the campground road and few in the sites," making it relatively easy to access on foot to find dispersed camping spots.
• Rustic Charm: For those who appreciate a more rugged and self-reliant camping style, the lack of modern amenities enhances the "rustic charm" of the experience.
• Potential for Solitude: As it's no longer a maintained campground and requires walking in, it offers a higher likelihood of solitude, particularly on weekdays, as noted by a past visitor who was "one of the only people there on a Wednesday."

Address: Windsor Dam Rd, Crandon, WI 54520, USA

Phone: (715) 479-2827

Mobile Phone: +1 715-479-2827

Given that Windsor Dam is now managed as general forestland within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the provided phone number (715-479-2827) likely connects to the Eagle River/Florence Ranger District office or the main Forest Service office for the forest. This is the authoritative source for information regarding current dispersed camping regulations, fire restrictions, road conditions, and any potential changes to the status of the Windsor Dam area. It is highly recommended to contact them directly before planning a trip to confirm current rules and conditions for dispersed camping in that specific section of the forest.

For Wisconsin residents who truly appreciate a remote, peaceful, and self-reliant outdoor experience, Windsor Dam offers a unique and highly suitable opportunity for dispersed camping. While it's crucial to understand that it is no longer a traditional, serviced campground, its reclassification as general forestland opens it up for a different kind of wilderness immersion that many locals actively seek.

Firstly, for those yearning for "a peaceful, remote spot for camping and fishing" that is truly off the beaten path, Windsor Dam delivers. In a state with many popular, often bustling campgrounds, finding such solitude can be a challenge. The fact that vehicle access into the former campground is now gated means that campers must walk in, which naturally filters out those seeking more amenities and enhances the tranquility for those who commit to the rustic experience. This offers a level of quiet that can be hard to find elsewhere, making it ideal for reflection, birdwatching, or simply enjoying the sounds of nature.

Secondly, its appeal for "fishing" is a significant draw for local anglers. The dam and the water body it creates offer a prime, undisturbed location to cast a line, free from the crowds often found at more developed fishing spots. For Wisconsin residents who pride themselves on their fishing prowess and appreciate a serene environment, Windsor Dam provides an excellent opportunity.

The "rustic" nature of camping here, with "limited service" and no access to previous vault toilets or hand pumps, might deter some, but for a specific segment of Wisconsin's outdoor community, this is precisely the appeal. Those who are "willing to camp at a rustic site" and are adept at "dispersed camping" (packing in all supplies, packing out all waste, bringing their own water, and being self-sufficient) will find Windsor Dam an exceptional locale. It provides a chance to practice essential wilderness skills and embrace the "Leave No Trace" philosophy fully.

The local Forest Service's decision to reclassify it as general forestland, rather than fully closing it off, demonstrates a commitment to maintaining public access for these types of primitive experiences. This offers a valuable option for Wisconsin residents who understand and respect the nuances of national forest dispersed camping regulations.

In conclusion, Windsor Dam is not for every camper, but for the discerning Wisconsin local who values solitude, embraces rustic living, and enjoys fishing in a pristine, remote setting within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, it is an exceptionally suitable and rewarding destination. It's an opportunity to experience the quiet wildness of Wisconsin on your own terms, provided you come prepared for a truly self-sufficient adventure.

Windsor Dam Campground

Windsor Dam Rd, Crandon, WI 54520, USA