Northern Highland State Forest encompasses 232,000 acres of forest lands across Vilas, Oneida, and Iron counties in northern Wisconsin, with more than 900 lakes scattered throughout its boundaries. Near Mercer, Wisconsin, elevation ranges from 1,500 to 1,800 feet, creating varied terrain ideal for dispersed camping experiences. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°F while summer daytime highs typically reach the mid-70s, making seasonal considerations critical for yurt camping and other accommodations.
What to do
Hiking trails year-round: Multiple interconnected trail systems provide varied terrain options. At Crystal Lake Campground, visitors can access the 1.5-mile lake loop plus connections to nearby Fallison Lake. "There is a paved bike path through the woods all the way to the registration area. We arrived at our campsite, unloaded the bikes, then proceeded to ride to check in," notes one camper at Clear Lake.
Winter sports access: The Northern Highland area maintains groomed cross-country ski trails throughout winter months. At WinMan Trails near Big Lake Campground, winter recreation options expand beyond camping. "WinMan Trails is not far... They also have mountain bike routes and short tracks along with winter cross country ski routes," reports one visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and dusk offer optimal wildlife spotting throughout the forest. At Moosehead Lake, "we were the only campers there for the weekend & had a couple of times where a deer walked right past our camp; saw more turtles than people in the campground & surrounding area, saw a handful of trumpeter swans in the area & be able to fall asleep listening to the loons call to each other."
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many Northern Highland campgrounds feature well-separated sites. At Sandy Beach Lake Campground, "sites are fairly private because of the lower vegetation so you don't feel as though you are right on top of your neighbors. The sites in the back are super private and easy to get away from noise of other people."
Clean facilities despite rustic setting: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and shared spaces. Clear Lake visitors note that "facilities are nice and clean. Sites are great, and many of them are pretty private." Another reviewer mentioned it's "great park with lots of different types of sites however they are fairly close together."
Year-round yurt camping options: For visitors seeking wintertime accommodation near Mercer, Wisconsin, several campgrounds maintain structures through colder months. In Porcupine Mountains State Park just north into Michigan, yurts provide unique accommodation options even during winter. "Have not camped here yet but the whole area is amazingly beautiful. Yurts and Cabins available. Definitely Seasonal."
What you should know
Limited cellular coverage: Most Northern Highland campgrounds have minimal or no phone service. At Schomberg Park, "with no Verizon cell service, this is a nice night's stopover for us." Even at Crystal Lake, where reception should be better, "we have Verizon service and it is spotty in areas, though given that you can see a cell tower towards Sayner it should be a lot better than it is."
Insect preparation essential: Both flies and mosquitoes can be intense, particularly during early summer. At Big Lake, one camper noted they "only made it a mile before we ran back to the car to avoid the flies and mosquitoes." Another camper at Sandy Beach observed "the horseflies greeted us with curiosity. They seemed to leave us after we finished setting up but we still put up our screen room."
Limited supplies nearby: Stock up before arrival as local stores have restricted hours and selection. A Moosehead Lake camper explained, "Nearest towns are about 15-20+ minutes and are pretty small, but the locals are nice." This applies to most remote camping areas including yurt camping locations near Mercer, Wisconsin.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible swimming spots: Many campgrounds feature shallow entry points ideal for children. At Lake Gogebic State Park, "the beach area was nice with a nice big sandy beach for the kids." The sandy shore makes this location particularly suitable for families with younger children.
Wildlife education opportunities: Morning wildlife viewing creates natural learning experiences. At Henry Lake, the peaceful setting provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities as "it is a beautiful spot in a peaceful and quiet setting." Similarly, Moosehead Lake offers chances to "fall asleep listening to the loons call to each other."
Site selection strategy: Reserve lakefront sites months in advance for optimal family experience. For Clear Lake, "you will need to reserve your site 11 months in advance because it fills up fast. If you have a lot of people there are no group sites but there are some double sites that work great."
Tips from RVers
Varied hookup availability: Electric service varies significantly between campgrounds. At Alpine Campground, "we needed a place to rest for a night on our way to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore... Our pull thru sites where just long enough for our 35' trailer and truck to stay connected. Sites were grass, a little un-level but were very spacious."
Dumping station logistics: Plan dumping needs in advance as facilities are limited. At Big Lake Campground, a visitor explained it's "just your basic campground with pit toilets and pump water. Firewood available for $5 or $6 when I was there."
Level site challenges: Many Northern Highland sites require leveling equipment. At Lake Gogebic, "most sites are large with trees but not many are very level." This is consistent with terrain throughout the region, including for those looking for yurt camping near Mercer, Wisconsin.
