Laura and Gordon Lake Recreation Area
The numbers that decide it
Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.
Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.
Laura and Gordon Lake Recreation Area
With two beautiful clear water lakes, undeveloped shoreline, Laura Lake Campground provides an exceptional camping opportunity. Campsites are located on the southwestern shore of 110-acre Laura Lake. The picnic and swim beach are located on the adjacent 50-acre Gordon Lake. Both lakes have developed back-in boat landings. Please note these lakes are restricted to electric motors only. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities. Those most enjoyed at Laura Lake are fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and hiking the trail that goes around the lake. The 2.25 mile hiking trail passes through a forest of northern hardwoods, hemlocks, and balsams. Bring your binoculars as there are frequent observations of loons and osprey on this quiet lake, which is restricted to electric motors only. A bench is located along the shoreline at the half-way point. A short walk to the north leads to a small bog lake that you may want to explore. Look for the blue reassurance markers that designate this trail. The area also provides a 6.5 mile bike trail that runs along the old Lake 9 railroad grade. Laura Lake Campground has 41 sites. A majority of sites can accommodate campers as long as 30 feet and longer. Drinking water, vault toilets, swim beach, picnic area and a boat landing are also provided at this location. All roads are paved with blacktop. Both Laura and Gordon Lakes provide good fishing opportunities.
Before you go
Season
May 2 – October 15
Reservations
First-come, first-served
Fees
Individual campsite fee is $15, or $7.50 with the use of an Interagency pass (access or senior). The interagency pass applies only to the fee for the campsite physically occupied by the pass holder, not to any additional fees or campsite(s) occupied by members of the pass holder’s party. There is a $5 recreation use fee for the Gordon Lake beach. This does not apply to registered campers. The Forest also has an annual pass available for $30. The USDA Forest Service honors all four Interagency Recreation Passes that may be applied at National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife sites charging recreation use fees.
Restrictions
Restrictions for all National Forest System lands can be found by visiting Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 261 by clicking here. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest specific restrictions can be found in the Occupancy and Use Restrictions for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest . Campsite Capacity • Maximum of 8 people and 4 vehicles at each camp site. • Vehicle capacity limit includes vehicles, wheeled camping units and trailers. Pets and Animals • Pets must always be restrained or on a leash while in developed recreation areas. • Pets (except guide dogs) are not allowed in swimming areas. • Saddle or pack animals are allowed in recreation sites only where authorized by posted instructions. Firewood Closure Order • Our firewood closure order prohibits the possession, storage, or transport of any firewood that originates from more than 25 miles from your campsite. • Firewood certified by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Transportation and Consumer Protection can originate from more than 25 miles from National Forest destination. • Both certified firewood and kiln-dried, untreated/unpainted/unstained/construction/dimensional lumber that is free of any metal or foreign substance is approved. Pallet boards are not approved. Quiet Hours • Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Operation of all ATVs & UTVs are prohibited in campground.
Scenic drives that pass close
Make it a night on a better road
Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.