Crystal Lake Campground

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

The Crystal Lake Campground is the most popular camping destination in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, especially for families and couples. The campground is spread out along the west and south shore of Crystal Lake (93 acres), which features clear waters and beautiful white sand beaches that make up more than half the lake’s shoreline. Swimming, paddleboarding, tubing, and kayaking are popular activities on this non-motorized lake. Several swimming beaches and picnic areas wrap around the west and north shore shaded by tall red pine, jack pine, oak, and maple.

The Crystal Lake Nature Center offers interesting exhibits and a fun children’s area. The short, paved loop of the Tom Roberts Nature Trail (ADA accessible) starts and ends at the Nature Center. A few steps east is a shady pet play area on the south shore of Big Muskellunge Lake.

For group gatherings, a modern, reservable enclosed shelter is on the west shore of the lake. The shelter offers indoor lighting, electrical outlets, oversized outdoor grill, and a wide shady lawn.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE

There are 99 non-electric campsites of which 37 are lakefront. Every campsite is shaded. The campground host site is next to site #450. A long, white sand beach fronts most of the campsites on the west shore. 92 sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, max length varies), and 7 are walk-in tent sites. Every site has a parking spur, tent area, fire ring and a picnic table. There are 4 double sites that allow up to 12 occupants in each pair. All 99 sites are reservable.

Campground amenities include drinking water (electric well & hand pump), accessible vault toilets, a shower building with accessible heated showers and flush toilets, firewood bin ($), garbage & recycling, and a dump station that is free for all registered campers in the State Forest. An open grass lawn at the north end of the campground is perfect for playing frisbee, throwing a ball around or other group activities.

Lakeside Campsites with Lake Access
Every waterfront site has at least partial views of the lake and is within 50 feet of the lakeshore, many are closer. All have lakeshore access. The only exception is the double site, 439-440, which is set back from the lake, but has a short footpath to the water. Consult the official campground map to see which sites are waterfront, there are too many to list here. With one exception (noted previously), every campsite on the map that is close to the lake is lakefront.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE
Trails & Places

The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest offers abundant recreational 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-Woodruff, Sayner, St Germain, Boulder Junction, and Eagle River are only minutes away by car, offering groceries, sporting goods, souvenir shops, restaurants, and pubs.

The Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail passes through the campground and offers 52 miles of paved trails for bicycling. The Corner Store, a popular ice cream shoppe, is two miles west of the campground on the bicycle path. The trailhead for the scenic Fallison Lake Nature Trail is just across County Highway N. A paved path leads from the campground to the trailhead where there is a bike rail to secure your bicycle while you hike.

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

Season

The campground is open or closed depending on snow conditions (not plowed).

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: 99
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 92
  • Tent Only Campsites: 7
  • Group Campsites: 4 (double)
  • Reservable Campsites: 99
Campground Amenities
  • Staffed office
  • Nature center
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible flush toilets
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Accessible heated showers
  • Firewood ($)
  • Picnic area (shelter, tables, grills, shade)
  • Accessible trails
  • Children’s play area
  • Swimming beach
  • Fishing pier
  • Boat landing
  • Canoe launch
  • Pets welcome: Yes
  • Pet play area
  • Garbage & recycling
  • Dump station
  •  
  • Pets Allowed? Yes
  • Wisconsin State Forest Pet Policies*
Campsite Amenities
  • All sites are non-electric
  • Fire ring
  • Picnic table
  • Campsite Capacity: 6 people per site
  • Double Site Capacity: 12 people
  • All sites are shaded
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
  • Picnicking
  • Bicycling
  • Interpretive programs
  • Crystal Lake (93 acres, max depth: 67 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Boating (non-motorized only)
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Panfish (common)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (present)
  • ⥾ Trout (present)
  • Crystal Lake contour map
  • Lake Bottom: 90% sand, 10% gravel
  • Big Muskellunge Lake (897 acres, max depth: 70 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Boating (motorized)
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Panfish (common)
  • ⥾ Musky (common)
  • ⥾ Walleye (common)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (common)
  • ⥾ Smallmouth Bass (present)
  • ⥾ Northern Pike (present)
  • Big Muskellunge Lake contour map
  • Lake Bottom: 60% sand, 20% gravel, 15% rock, 5% muck
Managing Agency
  • Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
  • Crystal Lake Visitor Station
  • 3237 Crystal Lake Road
  • Boulder Junction, WI 54512
Local Gas & Services
  • Sayner is 5 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas)
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  • Boulder Junction is 9.5 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Minocqua-Woodruff is 11 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • St Germain is 12 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Manitowish Waters is 17 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services)
  •  
  • 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.