Crystal-clear lake swimming, private beachfront sites, and family-friendly camping facilities characterize the area around Eagle River, Wisconsin. The region features numerous small lakes within the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest where motorized watercraft are restricted on certain lakes. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F to 80°F with evening temperatures dropping into the 50s even during July and August.
What to do
Paddling on motorless lakes: Crystal Lake Campground offers pristine waters for non-motorized activities. "This is a great campground in a group of the campgrounds in the area. Lots of water sites so I would highly suggesting getting one so the you can paddle right from the shoreline. Good fishing as well. No[te] the rules when you come onto the lake as motors are not allowed which is why I chose it," explains a visitor at Crystal Lake Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The Northern Highland State Forest region provides excellent wildlife observation opportunities. At Cunard Lake, campers report "waking up to the sound of loons and going to bed with the sound of them." Another camper noted being "lucky enough to see a white deer" during their stay at Boulder Junction.
Hiking forest trails: The interconnected trail systems allow exploration between camping areas. "You can walk from the campground to Fallison Lake to do a hike there," explains a Crystal Lake visitor. At Sylvania Wilderness, campers appreciate that "the moss-covered old growth forest provided an excellent tent site and entertained our 2 boys under 8 until they tired," making it suitable for families with children.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Many campgrounds feature direct lake access from individual sites. At Cunard Lake Campground, visitors appreciate that "neighbors were too far to hear us and the bathrooms were nearby!" The campground is known for its "quiet atmosphere" as it's officially designated a "Quiet" campground where noise-producing devices are prohibited.
Clean facilities: The maintained bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise. "The showers and toilets are clean. The pit toilets can get pretty ripe by the end of the season, but if people would learn to keep the lids closed, it wouldn't be so bad," notes a Crystal Lake visitor who has been camping there annually for over 20 years.
Sandy beaches: Natural sand beaches are a highlight at several locations. "Crystal clear and sandy bottom!" exclaims a visitor to Peaceful Pines Resort, noting the lake is "right there steps away." At Clear Lake, visitors mention "beautiful clear water and beach area. Nice to kayak. Only a few great sites by the water."
What you should know
Site reservation timing: Popular campgrounds fill quickly. For Clear Lake, "You will need to reserve your site 11 months in advance because it fills up fast," advises a regular camper at Clear Lake Campground.
Quiet zone regulations: Cunard Lake enforces strict noise policies. "Cunard Lake campground was designated a 'Quiet' campground several years ago - one of only two in the 18 different Northern Highlands American Legion state forest campgrounds. That means no 'noise producing devices', including generators, radios, TV's, video games, guitars, etc. No means none. Prohibited."
Cell service limitations: Despite proximity to towns, coverage can be spotty. "We had one dot of Verizon cell signal in camp but full service in Watersmeet, a short drive away," reports a Sylvania visitor. At Crystal Lake, "even when we had 3 bars, it wasn't much better than the 1 bar at our site."
Tips for camping with families
Inflatable water features: Some glamping close to Eagle River, Wisconsin offers additional water recreation. At Hi-Pines Campground, "the pond has inflatables that are very fun," and another family noted the "nice play parks for kids."
Organized activities: Several campgrounds schedule family events. Hi-Pines offers "great activities for kids…fishing presentation, movie, kickball," according to a visitor who appreciated the family programming during their stay.
Site selection for shade: Summer heat can affect comfort levels. One Hi-Pines visitor mentioned, "The site was full sun which got hot. There were shaded sites, but we couldn't get sites together in the woods to be close to friends so we had to be in the field sites."
Tips from RVers
Electrical capacity considerations: During peak summer temperatures, electrical systems may be strained. At West Bay Camping Resort, some visitors experienced "electrical issues the entire time we stayed there in a very hot part of summer," suggesting campers might need to moderate air conditioning use during extreme heat.
Laundry scheduling: Plan laundry days strategically when staying at luxury camping accommodations near Eagle River. "Do not plan on doing laundry on a Monday. The personnel use all the machines to wash linens and towels from the cabins after folks check out," advises a visitor at Hi-Pines, where one dryer also "did not heat very well."
Site privacy varies: At Chain O'Lakes Campground, campers appreciate that "our campground was next to nice bathrooms and a sand volleyball court. Good privacy from neighboring campsites." This contrasts with some other campgrounds where tent sites might be "in a field with no privacy."
