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Hello and thanks for all the expertise. New to the forum, new to this type of trip but not new to fun adventures. I’ve been on trips down to -3F but not snow trekking/hot tenting. Looking for a good spot in the BWCA or WI northwoods for a mid February trip. Have all the gear we need and know how to use it. Seeking a spot with access to good ice fishing, chance for wildlife spotting, no people or machines. Coming in from west burbs of Chicago. Would love to hear some ideas.
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Here are some of my favorite places for winter camping in Wisconsin. All of them are by lakes - but I have never ice fished in them - so I can't comment on that aspect. I arranged them by approximate distance from Chicago.
1. Door County Wisconsin - Newport State Park - has a number of backpack-only sites that are open for winter camping. This location is out at the tip of Door County. You would not see or hear anyone.
2. Along the Ice Age Trail in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest near Medford Wisconsin. For example, Picnic Point is a USDA campground that is open for winter camping. To the west of that is Jerry Lake also on the Ice Age trail. Both of these places have good trail head parking and are not too far from the camp sites.
3. Further north and east between Merrill and Tomahawk is the Underdown Segment of the Ice Age trail. There is a very nice shelter at Dog Lake and the trail into the campsite is gently rolling (with one exception) and fairly remote.
4. Lauterman Lake is located in the Nicolet National Forest and has a number of backpack / dispersed areas for winter camping. There are a lot of different trails and the terrain is gently rolling and easy for a sled
5. North of Rice Lake WI is the Sawmill County park located near Birchwood. This is where the Winter Rendezvous often meets in February and has a series of nice lakes with supposedly good fishing.
6. The North Country Trail runs near Drummond WI. The Rainbow Lake Wilderness area offers that big forest feel and many lakes. Again, the terrain is pretty level and easy to pull a sled.
7. South east of Drummond is the Porcupine Wilderness area. The woods are beautiful and very pristine. There are many other places along the North Country trail that are excellent places for winter camping.
If you have questions or would like more details, feel free to send me a private message. Also - don't go to the BWCA. It's filled with wolves and Vikings fans
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