Clear Lake Campground

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

This popular campground sits in a hardwood and pine forest on the west shore of Clear Lake (873 acres). Most of the shoreline is undeveloped forest, and the lake’s sprawling character with numerous islands and bays make it fun to explore by boat, jet-ski, canoe, or kayak. Clear Lake is also a popular fishing destination. The bottom contour features numerous deep drop-offs, holes, and shallow humps. Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Trout, Walleye and Musky are all present.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE

Clear Lake Campground has 100 non-electric campsites. All sites offer plenty of shade and 22 have partial to full lake views. 89 sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, max length varies) including four double sites. Site #800 is ADA accessible, and site #750 is the Campground Manager. 10 sites are walk-in tent only, of these 6 are lakeside. All sites have a picnic table, fire ring, an area for at least one tent, and a parking spur. All 99 sites are reservable.

Campground amenities include a staffed staffed Visitor Center, a heated shower building with accessible flush toilets, accessible vault toilets, drinking water (electric well & hand pumps), and a firewood stall ($ fee). An RV dump station (free for all registered NH-AL campers) and a garbage-recycling area are near the campground exit. Boat trailer parking areas are located throughout the campground. Four reservable, remote canoe campsites are on the east shore of Clear Lake.

The day use area is in the middle of the campground and has a swimming area, picnic area, and a public boat landing. The swimming area features shallow, crystal-clear waters with a sandy bottom in front of a long sandy beach. The south end of the beach is often used by campers to park their watercraft. A grass lawn with tables, grills and shade sits between the beach and the large, paved parking area. The boat landing has a paved ramp, boat pier, turnaround, and plenty of room for trailer parking.

Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access
Five walk-in tent sites feature open views of the lake and shoreline access: 706, 708, 709, 710, and 711. Three campsites are close to the lake with partial views and shoreline access: 704, 707, and 712. Several sites are on a hill overlooking the lake with partial to open views of the water through trees and understory: 762, 763, 764, 765, 767, 771, 773, 778, 779, 780, 781, and 782.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE
Trails & Places

A segment of the Clear Lake-Indian Mounds Paved Bike Path passes the campground. There are two easy ways to access the trail, one is from the campground entrance and the other is a path between sites 785 and 786. The bike path is 5.6 miles long, point-2-point, and connects the Indian Mounds Campground, Clear Lake Campground and Raven Trails with the picnic area on the north shore of Clear Lake. The pedestrian-only trail provides fun, family rides and is also great for walking and jogging.

Mountain Bikers will enjoy the Raven Trail System, which borders the campground. There are over 25 miles of single-track and double-track in multiple loops with varying levels of difficulty, plus a small skills course. Overall, expect lots of short rolling hills through a scenic hardwood, pine, and hemlock forest.

The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest offers abundant recreation opportunities for silent sports enthusiasts. These include hiking trails, nature trails, paddle trails, mountain bike trail systems, and over 52 miles of paved bicycle paths. Visit the NH-AL website for more info. The campground makes an excellent basecamp for enjoying everything the area has to offer. The communities of Minocqua and Woodruff are only minutes away by car, offering groceries, sporting goods, souvenir shops, restaurants, and pubs.

There are hundreds of scenic lakes to paddle, boat or fish within an hour’s drive of the campground.

Season

The campground is open year-round.

Registration

Campsite reservations are required before occupying a site. Campsites may be reserved on the day of your arrival, or up to 11 months in advance, online or by phone (1.888.947.2757). Campers must be finished setting up by 11:00 pm. A Wisconsin State Park & Forest Vehicle Admission Sticker is required (daily or annual).

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Campsites: 100
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 89
  • Tent Only Campsites: 10
  • Group Campsites: 4 (double)
  • Reservable Campsites: 100
  • Campground Host Site: #750
Campground Amenities
  • Staffed office
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible flush toilets
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Accessible heated showers
  • Firewood ($ fee)
  • Picnic area (tables, grills, shade)
  • Swimming beach
  • Boat landing (paved ramp, launch pier, turnaround, parking)
  • Garbage & recycling
  • Dump station
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  • Pets Allowed? Yes
  • Wisconsin State Forest Pet Policies*
Campsite Amenities
  • All sites are non-electric
  • Fire ring
  • Picnic table
  • Tent area
  • Parking spur
  • Campsite Capacity: 6 people per site
  • Double Site Capacity: 12 people
  • All sites offer at least partial shade
RV & Camping Trailer Info
  • Generators Allowed: Yes (10:00am to 5:00pm)
  • Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: Yes
Campground Activities
  • Hiking
  • Mountain Biking
  • Bicycling
  • Clear Lake (873 acres, max depth: 95 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Boating (motorized)
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Panfish (common)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (common)
  • ⥾ Smallmouth Bass (common)
  • ⥾ Trout (common)
  • ⥾ Walleye (common)
  • ⥾ Musky (present)
  • Clear Lake contour map
  • Lake Bottom: 65% sand, 10% gravel, 20% rock, 5% muck
Managing Agency
  • Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
  • Clear Lake Visitor Station
  • 8282 Woodruff Road
  • Woodruff, WI 54568
Local Gas & Services
  • Minocqua-Woodruff is 4 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
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  • Lake Tomahawk is 4.5 miles away
    (restaurants, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
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  • St Germain is 11 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services)
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  • Rhinelander is 21 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
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  • Eagle River is 22 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
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  • Distances are from the campground entrance.
    An asterisk* indicates an external link.