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Bad River Wilderness

98%
·
· Mellen, Ashland, Wisconsin
60 acres hosted by Dean W.
1 RV/tent site · 3 tent sites
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Best in Wisconsin: 3rd place
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
Update: This property was just awarded 2nd place for 2024 as the 2nd best Hipcamp in Wisconsin out of 252 Hipcamp's based on reviews and ratings! Thank you to all who have enjoyed this amazing property and provided a review or rating!!! On the upper Bad River, I have a special location that I'd like to share for others to enjoy. I was fortunate to acquire this land 20 years ago and now that I have retired from the United States Air Force, I can dedicate time to create peaceful campsites along the river. This land was originally railroad property as the railroad companies bought much land in the late 1800's to have options to place their railroads. There is still a railroad track nearby but it has been abandoned since 2015 and it makes a nice hiking path along the river for many miles to the north. There are 3 waterfalls nearby and I will have many signs leading to the waterfalls. There are 4 total campsites on the property, 1 site you can drive to (Eagle Pines), and 3 tent sites that require 1/8 mile hike to 2 sites, and a 1/4 mile hike to the other hike-in site.
Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
Forest
River, stream, or creek
Swimming hole
Waterfall
98%
430 ratings · 336 reviews
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Lauren H.recommends
October 27, 2024
Eagle Pines On The Bad River
Owner takes very good care of property. Eagle pines is very peaceful in the fall time. Even saw an eagle. River and waterfalls are gorgeous. Water falls are properly marked and fairly easy to follow directions. Availability of fire wood was our absolute favorite part. No worries on running out. Tiny compost toilet did the job in emergencies. Door flies open on windy days so be prepared as we got a huge laugh out of it. Peaceful. Perfect. No complaints.
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Sophie C.recommends
October 26, 2024
Bad River Point Hike-In Campsite
Great time!
Great! So pretty, very organized…and a canoe! Awesome spot to camp!
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Kate B.recommends
October 20, 2024
Cayuga Falls Hike-In River Campsite
Nice hike in site
If you are looking for something between car camping and true backpack camping, this is the perfect fit. This is a nice secluded site on the river, chairs, tools and toilet provided. It has the typical stumps and roots you would expect from a hike in site. We arrived after dark but still found our site with the adequate signage. Thanks Dean, we hope to make it back sometime.
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Denise O.recommends
October 19, 2024
Eagle Pines On The Bad River
There is nothing bad about Dean’s Bad River. It was lovely and gracious. What a beautiful space and site. The access to a canon is simply amazing. Thank you!
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Alexander P.recommends
October 16, 2024
Bad River Point Hike-In Campsite
Great campsite with a lot to explore! It is also located within 20 minutes of Copper Falls State Park, which was beautiful and a great time.
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Kathryn B.recommends
October 14, 2024
Balsam Shores Hike-In Campsite
This site was so much fun! Dean was great about giving so much information I didn’t have any questions on what to expect. The hike in site was totally manageable even for many trips back and forth. Little wooded trails and along the abandoned railroad. It was so pretty this time of year. He said colors were at peak season and there would be zero bugs and he wasn’t lying! That was a big win for me. The canoe was fun to take out, although with how low the river was you couldn’t go far. The site was spacious and private. You could sometimes here the other hike in site people but they were a ways down the river so it wasn’t much. Signs were great, toilet had paper and hand sanitizer, and there was plenty of wood. All in all it was exactly what I wanted for a quiet weekend out in the woods. Would recommend.
Location
Mellen, Ashland, Wisconsin, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Dean W.

Joined in July 2017
Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 3 hours
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