A nice place to spend a night while visiting the Bayfield peninsula. Many trees here blew down in a major storm several years ago, so campsites don't have much vegetation between them. Things are just starting to grow back after storm cleanup.

Despite storm damage, the location remains scenic. The two lakes bordering the campground each have a basic boat landing. Neither lake looks ideal for swimming, though there's a small beach right at the campground on the western lake.

A nicer swimming beach - and a hiking trail - can be found at Long Lake, just a short drive or bike ride to the southeast.

Bring a mountain or cross bike if you plan to do any biking during your stay. It's a several mile ride on gravel and sand roads from the campground before you'll reach pavement.

A quality, low-cost and quiet rustic campground just a short drive from from Drummond, Lake Owen and Cable.

Perch Lake Campground is split into two sections; each has a separate entrance from the highway. An iconic hand pump provides drinking water to each section. Water tastes fine and appears clear.

Trails suitable for hiking can be found directly across the road from the campground. There’s a sort of wilderness area within the forest here.

Perch Lake is a lower cost alternative to this region’s flagship Two Lakes Campground. You’ll save $8 per night staying here while still being close enough to enjoy Lake Owen by day. You won’t get nice swimming beaches right on-site, though.

The shoreline at Perch Lake isn’t great for swimming due to some vegetation in the water, but is swimmable nonetheless. An exceptionally nice beach can be found at the Lake Owen Picnic Grounds just a few miles away, a site also managed by the national forest.

Perhaps the nicest part about Perch Lake is that it’s not run by a private concessioner. USFS staff and volunteers maintain the property, and they do it well. Be sure to thank them when you visit.

Some sites offer great privacy, others are very open to the campground road. A few sites have a lake view and include trails down to the waterfront. There's also common waterfront access in the middle of the campground where you can carry in a canoe or kayak without much trouble. The shore looks potentially swimmable.

Drinking water is offered at a pump house and hand pump; it tasted fine at both.

Everything here is first-come, first-served. It's a great setup for campers passing through the area on highway 2 wanting to spend the night.

If you're not picky about which site you get, you'll have no issue finding a spot here, even on peak season weekends. Early season, late season or midweek you'll likely have your pickings among numerous excellent site options.

A remote 10-site rustic campground with a hand pump for drinking water. A boat landing can be found across the lake from the campground, about a half mile down the road.

With Mineral Lake and Lake Three campgrounds now closed, this is the closest operating national forest campground to Copper Falls State Park. Though it’s a longer trek on gravel roads to get here from Mellen compared to the now-closed campgrounds, Beaver Lake remains a nice option for anyone looking to visit the many attractions in this region. St. Peter’s Dome is not a far drive from here and offers a scenic short day hike.

The campground doesn’t have any path or access to the lake aside from the lakefront campsites themselves; choose a lakefront site if lake access is important to you. Beaver Lake lacks a beach but appears swimmable at the lakefront campsites.

The North Country Trail crosses the campground entrance driveway. Lake Three and its now-idled campground are about a two mile hike to the east and other national forest attractions can be found a few miles west.

A remote 10-site rustic campground with a hand pump for drinking water. A boat landing can be found across the lake from the campground, about a half mile down the road.

With Mineral Lake and Lake Three campgrounds now closed, this is the closest operating national forest campground to Copper Falls State Park. Though it’s a longer trek on gravel roads to get here from Mellen compared to the now-closed campgrounds, Beaver Lake remains a nice option for anyone looking to visit the many attractions in this region. St. Peter’s Dome is not a far drive from here and offers a scenic short day hike.

The campground doesn’t have any path or access to the lake aside from the lakefront campsites themselves; choose a lakefront site if lake access is important to you. Beaver Lake lacks a beach but appears swimmable at the lakefront campsites.

The North Country Trail crosses the campground entrance driveway. Lake Three and its now-idled campground are about a two mile hike to the east and other national forest attractions can be found a few miles west.