Lumberjack Steam Train & Camp 5 Museum
4.7· 241 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-25- TypeSteam train to a historic logging camp
- LocationLaona, WI
- Rating4.7 ★241 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
- AccessibilityDetailed current boarding and site-access specifications are not published; call before travel for mobility planning
About Lumberjack Steam Train & Camp 5 Museum
The Lumberjack Steam Train is the gateway to Camp 5, a preserved Northwoods logging-camp and company-farm site. Visitors board at the historic Soo Line depot on US Highway 8, ride behind a working steam locomotive, and spend time among the Wisconsin Forestry Museum, blacksmith shop, forest tour, nature center, animal barn, store, and café before returning by train.
Build a Camp 5 Steam Day
Choose the visit that fits your groupFirst-time visitors and families
Ride into the museum by steam train
Treat the train as the required first leg of the visit and choose a return only after allowing time for the full site.
Steam and railroad-history visitors
Trace number 4’s working life
Compare the 1916 builder plate and 2-6-2 wheel arrangement with the locomotive’s former lumber-hauling role.
History-focused travelers
Read the logging farmstead
Use the museum, blacksmith shop, forest tour, and surviving farm buildings to connect rail transport with Northwoods forestry.
Visitors who need access details
Confirm access before buying
Call ahead if steps, wheelchairs, transfers, service animals, or uneven outdoor terrain affect the visit.
Prepared nature and ecology visitors
Add a prepared nature stop
Drive south to Camp Five Lake State Natural Area only if your group is ready for a remote, undeveloped wetland visit.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- 2026 regular seasonJune 17-August 22, Wednesday-Saturday; the regular season has ended
- Remaining published eventCowboy Reenactment & Fall Festival, September 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Regular-season hours10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Published departures10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m.; arrive at least 15 minutes early
- Published return trains11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m., 1:45 p.m., and 3 p.m.
- 2026 faresAdults $22; children 3-16 $10; age 2 and under free; family ticket $70 for two adults and three or more children
- Included admissionRound-trip train plus the museum, blacksmith shop, forest tour, animal area, nature center, store, and café access
- Time on siteThe operator recommends at least two hours at Camp 5
- WeatherThe attraction operates rain or shine on published dates
- AccessibilityDetailed current boarding and site-access specifications are not published; call before travel for mobility planning
Find the Depot
The Trains
The train is led by Laona & Northern number 4, a coal-fired 2-6-2 Prairie built by Vulcan Iron Works in 1916 and purchased for the lumber railroad in 1926. The operator describes two all-steel coaches, an open-air observation car, and three cabooses in its passenger collection. Historic cars include the 1923 Hamilton Roddis coach, the 1911 Otter Creek coach, and former Soo Line and Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range cabooses; day-of assignments are not guaranteed.
History
The Connor lumber operation established Camp Five during the Northwoods logging era.
Camp Five shifted from a logging camp to a company farm supporting lumber operations.
Vulcan Iron Works built locomotive number 4.
The Laona & Northern acquired number 4 for lumber service.
The Camp 5 Museum Foundation was established to preserve the site and its history.
The Camp Five Farmstead was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
See full history
The Camp Five site began as a logging camp in the late 1890s and became the Connor company farm in 1914. Gordon R. Connor and Mary Roddis Connor established the Camp 5 Museum Foundation in 1969 to preserve the place and its forest-industry story. The nonprofit now operates the Wisconsin Forestry Museum and the Laona & Northern Railway; the farmstead was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Lumberjack Steam Train still running in 2026?
The regular Wednesday-Saturday season ended August 22. The operator still publishes a Cowboy Reenactment & Fall Festival for September 26; verify its train schedule and ticket details before traveling.
How much were regular 2026 tickets?
Published fares were $22 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-16, and free for age 2 and under. A $70 family ticket covered two adults and three or more children.
What does the ticket include?
The operator says admission includes the round-trip steam train and the Camp 5 museum, blacksmith shop, forest tour, animal area, nature center, store, and café access.
How long should I allow?
The operator recommends at least two hours at Camp 5. Add time for depot check-in and both train legs.
When did regular trains depart?
The published regular-season departures were 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m., with arrival requested at least 15 minutes early.
Is locomotive number 4 original to the lumber railroad?
It was built in 1916 and acquired by the Laona & Northern in 1926 for lumber service. It later became the working centerpiece of the museum train.
Is the site wheelchair accessible?
The current operator pages do not provide enough detailed boarding and route information for a safe general promise. Call before purchasing to discuss your specific needs.
Does bad weather cancel the visit?
The operator says it runs rain or shine on published dates, but equipment or safety conditions can still change; check before a long drive.
What nearby place pairs with the train?
Camp Five Lake State Natural Area is a remote wetland and forest site about 22 miles south. It is best for visitors prepared for undeveloped access and no dependable facilities.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 25, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official homepage for the 2026 season, address, contact details, and included Camp 5 attractions
- Official rates and running-times page for fares, departures, returns, arrival guidance, and group policies
- Official train page for locomotive and passenger-car history
- Official history page for the logging camp, farmstead, foundation, and preservation timeline
- Official events page for the September 26 Cowboy Reenactment & Fall Festival
- Wisconsin DOT excursion-rail directory for independent operator confirmation
- Wikimedia Commons reusable Laona & Northern number 4 photographs
