Has anyone been to the Willow Reservoir in Wisconsin, northwest of Tomahawk and SW of Hazelhurst? Wondering if there are campsites on this body of water. Looking for a trip to northern/central Wi, and this looks like a good location to me.
John

Just camped there a couple weeks ago. The sites are water access only, unless you are willing to hike in. You can check with the WI DNR website and find some more information on it. It’s flowage so water levels can change day-to-day. I think there are between 30-40 sites with outdoor thrones, fire-ring and picnic table.

I have been there 3 times and always enjoyed. Most folks are fishing so be prepared for motor boats. The landing near the dam often sees a stiff W to SW wind because it’s a wide open bay. Waves can be biggish as it is also shallow. Try the western put-in if that’s an issue. Sites are first come, first serve. Great birding place too. Eagles, osprey, owls, cranes, geese, ducks, loons, hummingbirds, hermit thrush, warblers……..I can go on.

Go on and on, it's ok, I'm all ears.

I think I'll be kayaking since I'll be solo, but may bring a canoe. West side sites sound like the way to go. I was SW of St Germain in May and camped at Buffalo & Cunard Lakes. Are there bays, or creeks that I could get away from the motor boat traffic?

When you were there, were allot of the 30-40 sites being used?

What is the closest tavern; I mean town?

Thanks for your help!

John

DNR Map

I am attempting to link up with the DNR map. If that does not work, go to the WI DNR and search for the Willow Flowage brochure.

I've camped at #5 in North Bay. That's an easy paddle from the Dam and if the water is high, there's a short cut through peninsula. Great site high off the water, excellent stand of Red Pine, and some Service berries near by. The DNR built an Osprey nest in the middle of the bay for your pleasure. It's private but you will get anglers into the bay during the day. Had walleye anglers just to the north at night and they were audible.

To the west in Back bay, #25, I remember as being a larger site but very nice, more open but still had good cover. Deer walked right through the site one morning and swam across the bay. #26 is across the same bay and up on a little densely covered hill. Good solo site though I only scouted it. My friend camped there and liked it.

Those are the only sites I know from camping or scouting. Paddling by, the sites directly across from the dam appeared more popular. The western landing I used years ago was McCord, I think. The road in was gravel and transitioned to 2-track. It may be improved now. I liked it as it seemed less used. You could scout the Willow River inlet for a day trip.

I have read the Tomahawk River State Natural Area far to the northeast is a way cool float and probably less populated, but no camping. However, there is also a landing up there, Cedar Falls, I’ve never explored but by appearance is going to be less used. That might be worth consideration as it is shallow and narrow and therefore less attractive to boats. There are campsites downstream. Though I haven’t paddle it, the Willow beneath the dam looks really cool and might be a great float though being solo that makes it hard.

Personally, I would stay away from any site that can be accessed from land. Nothing sucks more than having folks walk into your campsite. Just know that this flowage is popular for fishing. Folks are fishing and camping, especially during summer. Night yelling, fireworks and gunshots are not out of the question, but in general it is quiet and lovely.

With a kayak, you will have no trouble moving right along seeing plenty of water. Sounds like a blast.

Oh, and I’m not from the area so don’t know of any good towns or bars. The Willow Supper Club is just south of Dam.

I did some checking on the DNR and found a lake map and an overview map with the campsites, put-ins, etc are noted. Good info. I will be solo, and will likely be in a canoe, but will bring a kayak as well.

Thanks you for the information on the camp sites. I haven't decided whether to come in from the east or the west, though. I will likley do this in mid September. What time of year were you there? I plan on staying away from the land access sites, I like my solitude if possible. It sounds like a great place. It's about 5-1/2 hours from where I'm at in NW Illinois.

If you think of anything else that might be helpful, please don't hesitate.

John

Mid to late september is a really great time to be into the northwoods, and the kids go back to school so the forest really empties out. If you avoid the weekend then you will have no problems find a good site. I can't think of anything else to say but "have fun".

Sylvania Wilderness is only about another hour up the road if you can swing it. Paddle only except for Crooked lake, and that is no wake for just a few cabins I believe.

I can swing another hour, but isn't that in Michigan? If it is, I'd prefer to stay in Wisconsin this trip.

If that's the place in Watersmeet, I was in town over the 4th of July. I was at the casino, not Sylvania Wilderness, and was staying SW of Eagle River. In May I was staying SW of St Germain. I do like that area.

Have you been to Willow Reservoir? Just wondering how the two compare.

Thanks for your input.

John

Sylvania Wilderness contains small, intimate, paddle friendly lakes. Willow Is HUGE! For a canoe or kayak, it is BIG water and if the wind is blowing, BIG waves. I much prefer Sylvania.

True dat, but there are portages and John is bringing a kayak.

Another option is the Turtle Flambeau Flowage near Mercer (see the thread on that in this forum) another 60 minutes north on 51; same thing as the Willow but bigger and more camp sites. Both the Willow and Turtle are easily paddled. They can be windy but multiple landings provide options.

Another thread on a close by Wisconsin Option

....yes, lots of wonderful options in northern WI, for sure. IMO, fall is the best time for many reasons, if not the best chance for solitude. The willow and turtle are first come, first serve and many of the reserve/permit sites open up to first comers around Oct 1st. Research these alternatives before going to the WI Northern Highland or MI Sylvania because many require permits and a mono-a-mono with Ranger Rick. Just for giggles, I can think of a few of these wonderful little paddle-in sites off the top of my head:

WI
Day Lake
Nebish Lake
Allequash Lake
Wabasso
Bittersweet SNA
Willow and Turtle Flowage
Pallet Lake Area
Northern Highland Canoe Trail

MI
Craig Lake
Big Island
Sylvania

Not to mention rivers……….some other time.

The Bittersweet Lakes intrigues me as well. That around the area I'm familiar with. I see there is another thread about that area. I will be looking into info for these lakes too. I'm thinking of the 2nd week of September for a week long trip.

I have been to both..... Turtle Flambeau way better...especially in you go in by Murray's Landing (eastern part volunteer quiet area and many people respect it. Hard to enjoy the Willow with motorboats, the Wilderness Queen motoring by etc....and I have been there 3 time even before it was purchased by the state....they have cleaned up a lot of garbage that slobs left behind.

quote plexmidwest: "The Bittersweet Lakes intrigues me as well. That around the area I'm familiar with. I see there is another thread about that area. I will be looking into info for these lakes too. I'm thinking of the 2nd week of September for a week long trip."

I've been there twice. Stay away from the northern most site in the far lake. It is appealing being furthest from the landing but there is 2-track access and parking right next to it. You will probably have people messing with you. Go for the second lake north of the landing. Loon Song site. That seems to be the least likely to get foot traffic, if at all.

Very pretty lakes and shoreline. There does seem to be clear cutting close by however. You will also hear road noise but that is almost impossible to get away from unless you are on one of the flowages.

Allequash is also very sweet, but allows motors. There are 4 lake access sites. Even with motors, it's very quiet as all are anglers.

Heavy Canoe and I biked in to site 9 from the Skunk lake parking area. We had a canoe but also rented a fishing boat. The pub near the water was accessed from that bay just south if the dam.

Big lake...tough to find the fish.

Tom Shockley from WDNR was great to work with.