Camping

There are 37 rustic campsites scattered along the flowage shoreline and islands; all flowage campsites are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis with no registration, reservations, or fees. There are also 4 rustic campsites scattered along the Lower Tomahawk River, which are available by reservation only.

Reservations

Reservation System Search Tip: On the reservation website, select the Boat-in button or the Group tab to find Willow Flowage's Lower Tomahawk River campsites. For consecutive nights camping along the river, select "Build Your Stay" to reserve multiple sites for one reservation fee.

Reserve a site on the Lower Tomahawk River online or by calling 1-888-947-2757.

Campsite Details

Campsite amenities include a fire ring (with cooking grill), picnic table and outdoor toilet. Be aware that campsites do occasionally close, either temporarily for maintenance or permanently to protect threatened or endangered species.

All flowage and river campsites are signed along the water's edge and are accessible via watercraft. Campsites 26 and 28 in South Indian Bay are accessible by motor vehicle from Iron Gate Road or by watercraft. All-wheel-drive or 4x4 vehicles with higher ground clearance are recommended to access the small parking area within a short walk to the sites. Look for the small brown campground signs on Iron Gate Road for access.

Walk-in access for campsites 1, 3 and G5 is available via the Willow Nature Trail or by watercraft. The Nature Trail is located north of the Dam and Sandy boat landings on Willow Dam Road.

Visitors are welcome to use the paved parking lot to access the trail, which includes over 1 mile of crushed-granite surface and another mile of mowed trail out to Indian Shack Point if water levels allow. Interpretive signs, scenic vistas and trailside benches are located along the trail. The granite portion of the trail has been engineered to be handicap accessible with a firm base and moderate slopes. Campsite numbers G5 and 3, located between 0.5 and 0.75 miles from the parking lot, also have a granite surface to accommodate visitors with mobility impairments.

Each of the 33 family campsites has a fire ring, a picnic table and a box latrine. No drinking water is provided. These sites are designed for a single camping party with a maximum of six people.

Each of the 8 group sites has either two fire rings or a larger group fire ring, two picnic tables and two box latrines. No drinking water is provided. Group campsites may be occupied by up to 15 people.

There is a 10-day limit on camping at all flowage campsites on the property and a 1-night limit at each of the river campsites. In addition, when you set up camp at the flowage campsites, you must occupy the site the first night and may not leave it unoccupied for more than one night after that. You may not leave unattended camping equipment to save a site.

Camping is allowed in designated campsites only. You may not establish new campsites in other undesignated areas.

Power equipment, such as chainsaws and generators, are not allowed at campsites. In addition, any fireworks that fly in the air, emit sparks or explode are illegal on DNR lands.

Willow Flowage campsites and boat landings GPS coordinates [PDF]

Parking: Campers are allowed to park their vehicle overnight (for up to 10 nights) at any of the boat landings or Nature Trail parking lot. No special stickers, fees or permits are required at any of the state-owned Willow Flowage landings or trails.

Bears

Though rare, black bears are occasionally known to visit campsites. Do not leave food items on picnic tables or stored in tents, as this could attract bears and other animals. No garbage facilities are provided, so please follow carry-in and carry-out guidelines when visiting the property.

Emergency services

Due to the property's isolated nature, campers should leave an itinerary with friends or relatives. While cell phone coverage has improved, it is not guaranteed in all areas. In case of emergencies, attempt to move to an area with reception and dial 911.

Drinking water

Potable water is available seasonally at Sandy Landing. Campers can also purchase water locally or filter or boil flowage water to make it potable.

Driftwood

Driftwood (dead and down wood found at or below the ordinary high-water mark) provides valuable fish and wildlife habitat and adds to the unique character of the Willow Flowage. Much of the existing driftwood was created in the 1920s when the area was flooded. Unfortunately, driftwood is disappearing due to both natural processes and illegal harvest. Driftwood is considered a natural feature of the flowage and is illegal to remove, burn or destroy.

Fires and firewood

To prevent forest fires, please confine your campfires to the metal rings found in each campsite. If you plan to vacate the site or even leave the site for a short while, be certain that the fire is dead out.

Dry paper can be burned, but it is illegal to put plastic, glass or aluminum in the fire ring. It is also illegal to bury any refuse on DNR lands. DNR staff patrol sites daily to collect occupancy information and to inspect sites.

You are allowed to gather wood that is dead and down from upland areas for your fire, but this source of firewood is becoming scarce at the campsites. Please refer to the driftwood section for gathering restrictions. Consider purchasing firewood from a local vendor prior to visiting the campsites.

Firewood can harbor pests such as spongy moths, emerald ash borer and oak wilt that threaten the local forest. Regulations regarding the transport of firewood are aimed at stopping the threat. It is illegal to bring firewood to this or any other state property from more than 10 miles away. It is also illegal to bring firewood from outside of the state.  

Tree health

Pounding in nails, peeling or carving bark, pruning limbs and heat from lanterns can all cause damage to trees and could eventually kill them or create hazards for campers and maintenance crews. Too much traffic on tree roots can also damage them. Consider setting your tent's opening away from trees to minimize the impact.

Whether dead or alive, any standing trees, including brush and shrubs, may not be cut down. Standing dead snag trees provide valuable wildlife habitat for birds and small mammals and serve as excellent perch trees for wildlife.

Dogs

Due to nesting loons and waterfowl, leashes are required on the flowage from April 1 until July 1 each year. In addition, dogs must be prevented from damaging the fragile shorelines and banks at campsites. If any damage occurs due to dogs, owners may receive citations or be held liable for repair costs.