USDA Forest Service · Wisconsin
Smith Rapids
USDA Forest Service · Wisconsin, United States
- Sites
- 19
- Hookups
- 8 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to October 12
- Max RV length
- 75 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,542 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- FR 148 (NFSR 148) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Chequamegon-Nicolet NF
- Nearest town
- PARK FALLS
- Address
- CHEQUAMEGON-NICOLET NATIONAL FOREST, PARK FALLS, WI, 54552
- Phone
- 715-762-2461
- Activities
- Boating, Camping, Fishing, Hiking
11 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Smith Rapids Campground is located on the South Fork of the Flambeau River. It is an ideal location for hiking, river fishing and canoeing.
Recreation
The fast-flowing South Fork of the Flambeau River is popular among canoeists. A carry-down boat ramp is available at the campground. The river has walleye, smallmouth bass, redhorse, musky and northern pike.
The campground is also in close proximity to the 70-mile Flambeau Trail System, open to off-road vehicles, hiking and mountain biking. The trail is highlighted by rolling terrain, tree-lined corridors, a wooden bridge and vistas overlooking various bogs and lakes. It is a popular snowmobiling location during winter months. Off-road vehicles are not permitted to operate in Smith Rapids Campground.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Several of the sites have extra long parking spurs. Tables and campfire rings are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Natural Features
At an elevation of about 1,500 feet, the campground provides shady, wooded sites. Smith Rapids is located on the South Fork of the Flambeau River, with a scenic view of Smith Rapids Covered Bridge. Constructed in 1991, the bridge is the only glue-laminated town lattice covered bridge in Wisconsin.
Nearby Attractions
Park Falls, Wisconsin is approximately 17 miles from the campground and is a full service community.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20° | 2° | -24° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 24° | 6° | -22° | 48° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 22° | -6° | 68° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 48° | 31° | 10° | 76° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 65° | 45° | 30° | 80° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 72° | 55° | 44° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 78° | 61° | 52° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 74° | 60° | 52° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 55° | 37° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 40° | 25° | 71° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 36° | 26° | 2° | 60° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 27° | 11° | -14° | 54° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Twin Lakes (Wi) · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 18 sites
- Sailor Lake · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 25 sites
- Emily Lake Recreation Area · USDA Forest Service · 9 mi · 1 sites
- Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area · Wisconsin State Parks · 13 mi · 66 sites
- Hines Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 13 mi · 9 sites
All public campgrounds in Wisconsin · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.