West Star Lake Campground

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

Large, u-shaped Star Lake (1,219 acres) features inviting clear waters and a scenic shoreline for enjoyable paddling, boating, and fishing. The small, State Forest campground is on the northeast bay and is separated into two loops. Campsites 1701 through 1707 are in the upper loop on a wooded hill overlooking the lake. Sites 1708 through 1718 are in the lower loop, spread out on an open flat along the lakeshore. Sites on the hill are shaded by tall pines and hardwoods, and most offer partial views of the lake through foliage. Privacy and shade are more limited on the lower loop, but the open lake views are fantastic.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE

There are 18 non-electric campsites. All 18 sites are available for tent and RV/trailer camping (back-in only, length varies). Two pairs of sites can be combined for small groups of up to 12 people. Each site has a parking spur, tent area, fire ring, and picnic table. Site #1701 is the Campground Manager. Campground amenities include drinking water (hand pump), vault toilets, and a firewood bin ($ fee). All campsites are reservable.

A small, sandy swimming beach is in the middle of the campground. A boat landing with a ramp and launch pier is between sites 1716 and 1717, and is intended only for campground guests.

Lakeside Campsites
Campsites 1703, 1704, 1705, & 1706 in the upper loop offer partial views of the water looking downhill through foliage. Sites 1714, 1715, 1716, 1717, & 1718 in the lower loop are directly on the lake with open views and shoreline access. 1712 & 1713 offer more limited views but also have lakeshore access.

Star Lake is a Loon nesting site.

A Very Brief History of Star Lake

"The End of the Line"
The railroad played a huge role in the development of the local area into what you see today. It began during the logging era when the railroad was extended from Minocqua to Star Lake in 1894. As the logging boom subsided, tourism gradually became more and more popular and a large number of resorts and lodges were built throughout the area. At first, they mainly catered to hunters and fishermen from Chicago and Milwaukee, who traveled north on the “North Woods Hiawatha” streamliner.

Rail service to Star Lake ended in 1943 and the rail line from Minocqua to Star Lake was removed. As vehicle travel became more common, tourism evolved and family vacationers began coming to the area to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the region.

CAMPGROUND BROCHURE RESERVE A CAMPSITE
Trails & Places

The popular Star Lake Nature Trail can be accessed directly from the campground between sites 1711 and 1712. The trail features an experimental pine plantation and many scenic views of Star Lake.

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: 18
  • RV & Tent Campsites: 18
  • Tent Only Campsites: 0
  • Group Campsites: 2 (double)
  • Reservable Campsites: 18
  • Campground Manager Site: #1701
Campground Amenities
  • Drinking water (hand pump)
  • Accessible vault toilets
  • Firewood ($ fee)
  • Picnic area (shelter, tables, grills, shade)
  • Swimming beach
  • Boat landing (ramp, launch pier, turnaround, trailer parking)
  • Garbage & recycling
  •  
  • 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
  • Group Site Capacity: 12 people
RV & Camping Trailer Info
  • Generators Allowed: Yes (10:00am to 5:00pm)
  • Generator noise must not disturb other campground guests!
  • RV/Trailer Dump Station: No
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.002054, -89.621313
    Crystal Lake Campground (free for NH-AL campers), 12 miles away
  • Nearby Dump Station: 46.0680929, -89.6457277
    North Trout Lake Campground (free for NH-AL campers), 13 miles away
Campground Activities
  • Hiking
  • Star Lake (1,219 acres, max depth: 68 feet)
  • Swimming
  • Boating (motorized)
  • Canoeing & kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Fishing
  • ⥾ Panfish (common)
  • ⥾ Musky (common)
  • ⥾ Walleye (common)
  • ⥾ Smallmouth Bass (present)
  • ⥾ Largemouth Bass (present)
  • ⥾ Northern Pike (present)
  • Star Lake contour map
  • Lake Bottom: 75% sand, 10% gravel, 10% 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
  • Star Lake is 1 mile away
    (restaurants, general store)
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  • Sayner is 6.5 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas)
  •  
  • Conover is 11 miles away
    (restaurants, supplies, convenience store, gas & sevices)
  •  
  • Boulder Junction is 13 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • St Germain is 13 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Eagle River is 17 miles away
    (restaurants, grocery, supplies, convenience store, gas & services, laundromat)
  •  
  • Minocqua-Woodruff is 20 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.