Black River State Forest

Recreation - Camping

Camping in the Black River State Forest requires a vehicle admissions sticker and a camping fee. Tent, car and RV camping are allowed at all designated campgrounds. In addition, the forest offers backpack and horse camping. Also, during the gun deer season only, hunter off-site camping is permitted.

Please note: The forest is open to small game and deer hunting. To ensure your safety during the hunting seasons, avoid wearing brown or white clothing while in the woods. Instead, wear blaze orange or bright colors, including a blaze orange hat.

Castle Mound Campground is located one mile east of Black River Falls on Hwy 12. The campground's 35 sites are open year-round, with a few sites plowed out for winter camping. Electricity is available at five sites and one site accessible to handicapped patrons. The campground provides showers, flush toilets, a sanitary dump station, and a nature trail, as well as easy access to equipment rental outfits and local amenities.

The East Fork Campground is open in the spring after the snow melt to the end of the deer gun season in November. It is located at the north end of the forest on Campground Road, southeast of Hatfield. Half of its 25 sites are situated along the banks of the East Fork of the Black River.

East Fork's rustic amenities (no electricity, hand pump for water, vault toilets) give campers a chance to truly "get out in the woods." The campground includes a canoe landing with canoe access to Lake Arbutus, good fishing opportunities and nature trail access. Its proximity to Lake Arbutus also provides chances for swimming and boating.

Group Camp

Group Camp is a secluded and quiet campground located at the north end of the forest on Campground Road, southeast of Hatfield. An indoor, four-season facility sleeps 12, and includes a stove, refrigerator, gas fireplace, bathroom, shower and heated floors. Campers must bring their own mattress pads or bed rolls to cushion the wooden bunks.

An additional outdoor area accommodates a maximum of 50 people in tents and trailers. Water, pit toilets, picnic tables, cooking grills, fire rings, and a dog kennel are also available. The site is handicap accessible. To learn more, see our group camp information sheet (PDF, 21KB).

Pigeon Creek Campground is located two miles northeast of Millston on N. Settlement Road, Pigeon Creek Campground's 38 campsites are open year-round with a few sites plowed out for winter camping. Camping at Pigeon Creek is rustic (no electricity, hand pumps for water, vault toilets). The site is family-friendly, with a swimming beach, fishing opportunities and access to an interpretative trail and a bike trail. One site is handicap accessible.

Deer Gun Camping

To camp off-site (i.e., outside designated campgrounds) during the nine-day gun deer season, hunters must obtain a camping permit prior to opening day of the season. Hunters can acquire the free permits at the DNR Service Center in Black River Falls or from the state forest superintendent at 910 Hwy 54, Black River Falls, WI 54615. Locations for camping are restricted.

To learn more, read our hunter camping information sheet (PDF, 28KB)

Backpacking

Backpack camping is allowed anywhere on the forest, with the exception of Hawk Island, provided you camp at least one mile away from your vehicle and 100 feet from any designated trail or road. We encourage first-time backpackers to use the Wildcat, Red Oak or Ridge trails (PUB FR-168, PDF, 512KB). You can obtain a state forest map at campground contact stations and purchase topographic maps from the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey.

Backpackers must obtain a Special Camp Registration Permit before heading out to camp. The permits are free and camping reservations are not required. You can obtain a permit at the Castle Mound Campground or the Black River Falls DNR Service Center. To receive a permit application by mail, write to the Black River State Forest, 910 Hwy 54 East, Black River Falls, WI 54615.

You may park your vehicle in any trail or picnic area parking lot. Water is available at the Wildcat Trail parking lot and at each designated campground.

Please observe the forest's "Carry In/Carry Out" policy by packing your trash and recyclables out with you. You may use dead and downed wood as firewood, but do not cut live trees or brush. Make sure your campfire is out before you leave.

Note: Trails are open during small game and deer hunting seasons. To protect yourself, avoid brown or white clothing. Instead, wear blaze orange or bright colors, including a blaze orange hat.

Horse Trail and Camping

Located at the north end of the forest on Campground Road, the horse campground's 12 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This campground is strictly designated for horse camping; general camping is not allowed. The campground includes picnic tables and fire rings, tethering posts at each site, a solar powered water pump and one vault toilet. There is no electricity.

Twenty miles of designated horse trails begin at the horse campground. The trails range from wooded and grassy to gravel and sand town roads. Some trail sections are shared with ATVs. To use the trails, riders must obtain a day or annual trail pass, available through self registration at the horse campground. A day use or annual vehicle admissions sticker is also required to access the trail and facilities.

Our horse trail and camping information sheet (PDF, 398KB) includes a horseback riding trails map.

Note: Deer fly populations can be heavy in this area and may present a challenge to trail users during the summer months.