Camping, Park & Recreation Areas in and Around Washburn

Washburn is very lucky to have several community parks and local campgrounds in town as well as just outside the city limits. Having these amenities available to tourists and community members helps Washburn stand out as a family friendly city as well as welcoming to visitors who choose to stay in the great outdoors and enjoy mother nature at her finest.

Parks and Recreation Areas in Washburn

• The Washburn Athletic Field Complex located at 3rd Avenue East and Memorial Park Drive, consists of three ball fields, one for regulation Little League, High School Baseball, and softball. The park, provides off- street parking lots accessible from either 3rd Avenue East and 1st Avenue East. The park consists of a pavilion building consisting of a covered picnic area, concession stand and rest rooms that are opened when a responsible party makes arrangements for the use the facility. The Athletic Field Complex hosts two winter skating rinks and a warming house.
• The East Side Tennis Courts are located on East Third Street adjacent to Autumn Manner, a public housing facility of the Washburn Housing Authority. The two lighted courts are heavily utilized by the community and home of the Washburn Tennis Association.
• Washburn’s Hillside Park & Tennis Courts are located almost 300 feet above the shoreline of the lake at the intersection of Hillside Drive and 5th Avenue West. This park consists of two lighted tennis courts, basketball court, limited playground equipment and space for sandlot baseball, football, and soccer games.
• Jackie’s Field is a 2.5 acre neighborhood park located at the intersection 3rd Avenue East and East 3rd Street adjacent to DuPont Row. The park is named after a longtime community member and sports coach whose teams practiced at this location. The park consists of open play area, sand lot ball diamond and playground.
• Lakeside Fitness Park is the newest addition to Washburn’s recreation areas. The outdoor exercise equipment located at the head of the lakeside walking trail near Thompson’s West End Park was installed in 2019. The equipment is free to use and open to the public.
• Thompson’s West End Park offers a variety of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. The park offers 27 acres of gradually sloping shoreline to the water’s edge. Visitors to Thompson’s West End Park will find the following recreational opportunities:
  ·         Unguarded Swimming Beach
  ·         Playground
  ·         Open play area
  ·         Fishing Pier
  ·         Access to Lakefront Parkway and Walking Trail
  ·         Boat Launch (fee charged)
  ·         Shoreline Fishing
  ·         Covered Picnic Shelter
  ·         Artesian Water
• Memorial Park is a heavily shaded recreation area and campground of majestic pines on a bluff overlooking Chequamegon Bay.
  Access to the beach is provided by steps down the bluff. Visitors to the park may occasionally witness the silent passage of a freighter headed for the Port of Ashland or Washburn’s commercial dock. Every evening visitors will experience the twinkling lights of Ashland across the Bay.
  Memorial Park offers the following facilities:
  ·         Picnic Areas
  ·         Covered Picnic Shelter
  ·         Playground
  ·         Open play areas
  ·         Flush Toilets
  ·         Lakeside Vistas
  ·         Shoreline Fishing

***Thompson’s West End Park & Memorial Park also offer a full camping experience combined with the convenience of being located within city limits. More on that below.

Parks and Recreation Areas Near Washburn

• Long Lake Park is located west of Washburn on Wannebo Road and north on Forest Road #435. This park is a perfect spot for a picnic, canoeing, hiking, fishing, and swimming.

Campgrounds in Washburn

• Thompson’s West End Park Campground is named after long time mayor Hans J. Thompson, Thompson’s West End Park has 50 campsites, a boat launch, fishing pier, dump stations, artesian well, electric hook-ups, handicap accessible bathrooms, showers, sandy beach, picnic tables, pavilion, and playground. Just beyond the shore are the islands: remnants of Washburn’s old sawmill days. It was here where several Washburn folks spotted the infamous Washburn Sea Serpent. Firewood is available for sale on site. The park is also the trailhead for Washburn’s Historic Lakeshore Walking Trail. West End campgrounds are first come, first serve.  No reservations will be taken for them.  The pavilion can be reserved by contacting the City of Washburn at 715-373-6160.
• Memorial Park Campground sites are first come, first serve.  No reservations will be taken for them.  The pavilion can be reserved by contacting the City of Washburn at 715-373-6160.

Campgrounds Near Washburn

• Birch Grove Campground is north of Long Lake just outside of Washburn. Rustic campsites nestled between East and West Twin Lakes provide a great opportunity for family fun and relaxation. This campground is a family favorite. Birch Grove Campground has 16 campsites and is nestled between East Twin Lake (22 acres) and West Twin Lake (16 acres). Each campsite has a parking spur, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad, and can accommodate RV’s up to 35 feet. Drinking water, vault toilets, a fishing pier, small picnic area, and an interpretive trail are available. The lakes each have a small boat access, and featured fish species include bass, panfish, and northern pike. The nearby Valhalla Trail can be used for horse riding, hunting, mountain biking and hiking. Directions: From Washburn, follow Hwy. 13 south 1 mile, turn right (west) on the Wannebo Rd. for 8 miles. Turn right (north) on Forest Road 252 for 2 miles and right (east) on Forest Road 435 for 1 mile.
• Big Rock Campground is located three miles northwest of Washburn via County Hwy C and Big Rock Road. Known for its rustic campsites and a Class A trout stream, the adventurer will love exploring its possibilities. For more information on Big Rock Campground, please contact Bayfield County Tourism at 715-373-6125.