Parks and Recreation

Picture this: a flickering campfire with curling smoke, the smell of cedar and pine in the air, sticky s’mores and grilled hotdogs for dinner,  and sleeping under endless nights while counting the stars until you lose track.  Here in the Northland, that’s more than a fairytale.  Nestled between two uniquely beautiful campgrounds, Washburn is home-away-from-home.  Disconnect from the rush of daily life and make yourself at home at the edge of Lake Superior –– we recommend it.

To request additional information on camping in Washburn, contact the Washburn Area Chamber or stop by:

• Washburn Area Chamber

100 W Bayfield Street

Washburn, WI

THOMPSON’S WEST END PARK

With most of the park within the historic Thompson Lumber Company’s old property, Thompson’s West End slopes gradually into the water where old logs lay dormant at the bottom of the Bay.  With 27 acres, the park offers an incredible view of Chequamegon Bay as well as 50 individual campsites suitable for RVs, motorhomes, and large vehicles.  The surrounding area is open and sunny, perfect for chatting with neighboring campers or hosting picnics, and the nearby artesian well provides visitors with cool, crisp water.  Old lumber frequently washes ashore, providing the beach with its unique mix of sand and ancient, smooth driftwood chips.  Maybe you’ll even catch a glimpse of Washburn’s famous Sea Serpent!

• Unguarded Swimming Beach
• Playground and Open Play Area
• Fishing Pier and Shoreline Fishing
• Covered Picnic Shelter and Grills
• Access to Lakefront Parkway and Washburn Walking Trail
• Artesian Water
• Handicap Accessible Restrooms
• Pay Showers
• WiFi and limited Cable TV hookups
• Electric Service
• Sanitary Dump Station
• Firewood for sale available on-site

West End also serves as the trailhead for the Washburn’s Historic Lakeshore Walking Trail.

Visit the Washburn Area Chamber to support the Washburn Heritage Preservation Association’spublication, Wood, Stone, and Water, a local effort to preserve our area’s past for future generations.

Please Note: Reservations are not taken for camping at municipal campgrounds. All sites are first come first serve. If you have questions once you arrive, please see the campground host. 

To reserve the pavilion, please call the City of Washburn at (715) 373-6160

FEES

Campsites are $35/day and $45/day for Lakeside Premium Campsites.  Weekly and seasonal rates are available as well.  The dump site is free to all reserved campers.

BOAT LAUNCH

Located just east of the campgrounds, West End’s newly constructed boat launch requires a $10 day fee or a $75 seasonal fee.

MEMORIAL PARK

Presented to the city by the employees of the old DuPont plant, Memorial Park honors the valor, sacrifice, and service of veterans of the First World War.  Prior to becoming a park in 1920, the land was used by the McClellan Mill once located across the ravine on the eastern side of the campgrounds.  Shady and cool under towering pines, Memorial Park offers a slower pace than its sister-park on the west end of town, with 50 small campsites suited for tents and small RVs dotted throughout the park and a ravine separating the two halves.  For the adventurous, a set of steps meanders down the bluff to the rocky beach below.

• Picnic Areas
• Covered Picnic Shelter
• Playground and Open Play Areas
• Handicap Accessible Restrooms
• Pay Showers
• WiFi and limited Cable TV hookups
• Electric Service
• Sanitary Dump Station
• Shoreline Fishing
• Lakeside Vistas

Please Note: Reservations are not taken for camping at municipal campgrounds. All sites are first come first serve. If you have questions once you arrive, please see the campground host. 

To reserve the pavilion, please call the City of Washburn at (715) 373-6160

FEES

Campsites are $35/day and $45/day for Lakeside Premium Campsites.  Weekly and seasonal rates are available as well.  The dump site is free to all reserved campers.

BIRCH GROVE

North of Long Lake and just outside of Washburn, Birch Grove is a family-favorite for locals and visitors. Rustic campsites nestled between East and West Twin Lakes provide a great opportunity for family fun and new memories. The campground has 16 campsites and 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 feature fish species like bass, panfish, and northern pike. The nearby Valhalla Trail can be used for horse riding, hunting, mountain biking, and hiking.

Campsites are $15/day and are first-come, first-serve.

Directions:

• From Washburn, follow Highway 13 south 1 mile
• Turn right (west) on Wannebo Road for 8 miles
• Turn right (north) again on Forest Road 252 for 2 miles
• Turn right (east) on Forest Road 435 for 1 mile

BIG ROCK CAMPGROUND

For a truly remote experience, Big Rock offers several secluded campsites on the Sioux River.  Perfect for adventurers, fishermen, and those who want peace and quiet without the buzz of technology or the commotion of passing cars.  Big Rock is home to a “Class A” steelhead trout stream, offers bank and stream fishing, picnic areas, and plenty of wildlife.

Campsites are $13/day and are first-come, first-serve.

Directions:

• Turn onto County Highway C for 1.4 miles
• Turn onto Big Rock Road and follow for 1.5 miles

For more information on Big Rock Campground, please contact Bayfield County Tourism at (715) 373-6125