Map showing campground location near Athelstane, Wisconsin

Camper submitted image from Old Veterans Lake Campground — Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest

Old Veterans Lake Campground — Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest

Within the Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest, Old Veterans Lake Campground provides both drive-in and boat-in camping options on Caldron Fall Reservoir. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources manages this site, which operates from mid-April through mid-December and accommodates RVs up to 90 feet.

Campers can access remote boat-in sites like Heron's Retreat with a short paddle from nearby launch points, finding fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets set among tall trees that provide natural anchor points for food storage. The reservoir supports fishing and swimming, with reviewers noting clear water and wildlife sightings including deer, herons, loons, and turtles. Wild blackberries grow along trails and campsites during summer months. For additional drive-in camping, Governor Thompson State Park Campground sits less than two miles west.

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Location

Public Campground

Old Veterans Lake Campground — Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest is located in Wisconsin

Directions

The Peshtigo River State Forest headquarters is located in Governor Thompson State Park, 17 miles northwest of Crivitz. From Crivitz, follow County Road A west out of town. From A, turn left (west) onto County Road X, and follow X to Parkway Road. Turn right (north) on Parkway Road. After 0.5 miles, turn left (west) onto Ranch Road. Follow Ranch for 1.5 miles to Paust Lane.

Coordinates

45.34696037 N
88.19941967 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 11 min from Green Bay, WI
1 hr 31 min from Appleton, WI
1 hr 51 min from Oshkosh, WI
1 hr 52 min from Wausau, WI

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5 Stars

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5.0

out of 5

3 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the secluded paddle-in sites with tall trees providing excellent shade and privacy. Guests frequently mentioned clean facilities and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities on the quiet reservoir.

Alex L.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2025

Easy Boat in camping

I celebrated my birthday weekend at Herons Retreat in the beginning of June and had a fantastic time.

My wife and I grabbed firewood from the visitor center and parked at boat launch #9 which made for a quick 15-20 minute paddle to the campsite depending on how much gear we brought along.

The boat in site was clean and easy to identify with a fire pit/grate and 2 wooden chairs with plenty of tall trees to hang food and garbage from.

We came across plenty of wildlife including herons as well as deer, turtles, wild turkey, and loons while hiking and paddling around the reservoir.

Overall a great balance of easy access and privacy on a vibrant reservoir.

SiteHerons Retreat

Month of VisitJune

(7) View All

Molly M.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2024

Rustic but great camping

Beautiful little spot. Clear swim area, decent fishing. Saw turtles, snakes, and frogs. Wild blackberries along the trails and camp sight. Good fire ring, clean vault toilets, big camp sites.

Site13

Month of VisitJuly

(5) View All

Steven U.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 4, 2018

Secluded Hideaway

We stayed at the Heron's Retreat campsite on the Caldron Fall Reservoir. We checked in at the Gov. Thompson State Park headquarters then launched our canoe from the boat launch at the state park. From there it was a short 1 mile paddle to our campsite on the northside of the lake. This site was wooded, with many tall trees which gave great shade, and also spots for hammocks. A fire ring and grate were included along with a picnic table and two chairs.

Bathrooms consisted of a pit toilet on site, about 40 yards back into the woods along a path.

This was our first time in "bear country" so we found trees to hang our food and garbage from to keep from attracting wildlife at night. Many downed trees provided enough firewood that we needed for the couple of days we were there.

The lake had very little boat traffic considering it was a holiday weekend when we stayed. This is definitely a site to consider if you are seeking seclusion as the next nearest campsite is a half mile paddle away.

SiteHeron's Retreat

Month of VisitSeptember

(11) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Governor Earl State Park differ from Old Veterans Lake Campground?

Governor Earl State Park (also known as Governor Thompson State Park) serves as the headquarters and main administrative center, while Old Veterans Lake Campground is one of the specific camping areas within the broader Peshtigo River State Forest system. The park houses visitor facilities including the check-in center and provides boat launches for accessing remote sites. Old Veterans Lake Campground features a clear swimming area, fishing opportunities, and spacious campsites with fire rings and vault toilets. For remote camping experiences, visitors check in at Governor Earl State Park first, then proceed to their designated camping area, which may include paddle-access sites like Heron's Retreat for those seeking more secluded options.

Are there scenic photo opportunities at Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest?

The Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest offers abundant photo opportunities for nature enthusiasts. The clear swim area with its pristine waters makes for stunning lake shots, especially during sunrise or sunset. Wildlife photography options include turtles, snakes, and frogs that are commonly spotted around the area. The forest trails bordered with wild blackberries provide beautiful natural backdrops, particularly when the berries are in season. For water-based photography, the Caldron Fall Reservoir offers excellent landscape views, especially when paddling to remote campsites where the shoreline and forested areas create picturesque scenes.

What camping facilities are available at Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest?

Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest offers both standard campsites and unique canoe-in camping opportunities like Heron's Retreat on the Caldron Fall Reservoir. Campsites include fire rings and are spacious enough for comfortable setups. The campground features clean vault toilets for visitor convenience. Boat launches are available for paddlers accessing remote sites. Visitors should check in at the state park headquarters for camping permits and can purchase firewood there. The forest provides a true nature experience while maintaining basic amenities for comfortable camping.

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