Musky Lake Campground

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

Spread out beneath a high canopy of mature red pines on the shore of Big Muskellunge Lake (897 acres), Musky Lake Campground is is the quieter, neighboring campground to Crystal Lake. Both campgrounds share the same entrance and amenities including a shower building and Office/Visitor Center. The main day use areas, picnic grounds, and swimming beaches are on Crystal Lake.

Musky Lake is notable as an excellent fishery, populated with Musky, Walleye, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pike.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE

There are 81 non-electric campsites available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, length varies). Site #324 is the campground host. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, parking spur, and tent area. Campground amenities include drinking water (hand pump) and accessible vault toilets. Shared amenities at Crystal Lake Campground include a shower building with accessible heated showers and flush toilets, drinking water (electric well), a firewood bin ($ fee), and a dump station with potable water. All 81 sites are reservable.

Most of the campsites have spacious camping areas with long, level parking spurs, excellent for RV/trailer camping. Many are spaced well apart from each other to provide comfortable levels of seclusion. The waterfront campsites are set back from the lake with partial views of the water through the pines. A shoreline trail runs between the waterfront sites and the lake along the top of a steep, wooded bank.

A boat landing for Big Muskellunge Lake is at the south end of the campground with a paved ramp, boat pier, trailer turnaround and trailer parking.

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

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE
Trails & Places

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.

There is an abundance of recreation in the local area. The Heart of Vilas County Bike Trail crosses the Musky Lake Campground entrance road and features over 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 (& County N by vehicle). 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.

Aside from Muskellunge Lake and neighboring Crystal Lake, there are hundreds of scenic northwoods lakes to paddle, boat or fish within an hour’s drive of the campground.

The tourism communities of Minocqua-Woodruff, Sayner, St Germain, Boulder Junction, and Eagle River are all just minutes away by car.

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).

Musky Lake Campground shares a staffed Visitor Center and Office with the Crystal Lake Campground.

Campground Stats
  • Total Number of Campsites: 81
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 81
  • Tent Only Campsites: 0
  • Group Campsites: 2 (double)
  • Reservable Campsites: 81
Campground Amenities
  • Staffed office
  • Nature center (Crystal Lake)
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible flush toilets (Crystal Lake)
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Accessible heated showers (Crystal Lake)
  • Firewood ($ fee)
  • Picnic area (tables, grills, shade)
  • Accessible trails (Crystal Lake)
  • Children’s play area (Crystal Lake)
  • Swimming beach (Crystal Lake)
  • Boat landing
  • Garbage & recycling
  • Dump station (Crystal Lake)
  •  
  • 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 (Crystal Lake)
Campground Activities
  • Picnicking
  • Bicycling
  • Interpretive programs (Crystal Lake)
  • 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
  • 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
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)
  •  
  • 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.