Northern Highland State Forest spans over 232,000 acres in Wisconsin's northwoods, containing more than 900 lakes across Vilas, Oneida, and Iron counties. Camping areas near Minocqua sit at approximately 1,600 feet elevation, creating distinct microclimates where summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day and drop to 55-65°F at night. Most glamping accommodations require advance reservations for stays between late May and early October.
What to do
Hiking to hidden lakes: Crystal Lake Campground offers access to a 1.5-mile trail that circles the lake and connects to Fallison Lake for additional hiking opportunities. "The bike trails are endless! What fun. The water and beach is clean," notes Laura L., who has been camping at Crystal Lake Campground for over 20 years.
Non-motorized water activities: Cunard Lake restricts watercraft to non-motorized vessels only, creating ideal conditions for peaceful paddling. Jordan A. from Cunnard Lake Campground shares, "Loved getting to paddleboard and listen to the loons day and night."
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife observation opportunities, particularly bird watching. Elliot Q. from Clear Lake notes, "Lake is big, clear and beautiful. Very peaceful, lots of wildlife and fishing is great too!" Big Lake Campground provides access to multiple trails where visitors can spot native Wisconsin wildlife.
Geocaching: Multiple caches are hidden throughout the Northern Highland State Forest area, making this an engaging activity for families. As Jaimie G. mentions, "Geocaching is hot in this area too!"
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the Northern Highland State Forest feature natural vegetation barriers between sites. "Sites are fairly private because of the lower vegetation so you don't feel as though you are right on top of your neighbors," reports Scott M. from Sandy Beach Lake Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Cunard Lake Campground has been officially designated as a "Quiet" campground. S P. explains, "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."
Lake access: Many sites offer direct water access. Shannon B. from Crystal Lake Campground shares, "You can get sites that have your own beach pretty much with a trail right down to the lake."
Spacious sites: Buffalo Lake Campground features larger-than-average camping areas. Krissy G. notes, "The sites are large and beautiful - we had campsite 2020 which overlooked the lake, a perfect spot to hang our hammock and relax."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Popular sites fill quickly, especially waterfront locations. Joel N. advises, "You will need to reserve your site 11 months in advance because it fills up fast."
Weather variability: Northern Wisconsin weather can change rapidly, even in summer. Kevin T. from Clear Lake Campground warns, "The weather is unpredictable so bring extra layers just in case."
Insects: Biting insects can be prevalent, particularly in certain areas and seasons. Art S. from Sandy Beach Lake Campground reports, "Upon arrival the horseflies greeted us with curiosity. They seemed to leave us after we finished setting up but we still put up our screen room."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly across the area. Mike R. from Crystal Lake Campground explains, "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. I think it is the heavy tree cover that impacts the reception."
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection: Several campgrounds offer sandy beaches with clean swimming areas. Matthew K. notes, "Beautiful clear water lake with only a handful of houses. It is a popular campground so it can be busy and hectic but is nice for families."
Double sites availability: For larger family groups, some campgrounds offer adjacent reservable spaces. Joel N. advises, "If you have a lot of people there are no group sites but there are some double sites that work great."
Equipment rental options: Some locations offer watercraft rentals on-site. Kevin T. mentions, "They do provide a water pump and has a place for you to rent equipment such as kayaks."
Local activities: Buffalo Lake Campground provides access to nearby Minocqua for additional family entertainment. Zachary J. notes, "Great state campground, near Minocqua WI. Was clean and was a busy weekend of people but great space, little to know bugs."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Some campgrounds offer limited electric but no water or sewer connections. Linda C. from Arbor Vitae Campground shares, "Clean bathrooms and shower areas. Easy hook up for water, electric and sewer. RV sites nice but would prefer more trees."
Site leveling: Many sites require minimal adjustment for RV leveling. Charles M. from West Bay Camping Resort notes, "Some sites are tight/close and others you could turn around in. Most are fairly level or it doesn't take much to make your camper level."
Seasonal variations: Most RV-accessible glamping in Minocqua, Wisconsin is available from May through October. The majority of campgrounds with amenities suited for luxury camping close after the first weekend in October, with Hi-Pines Campground remaining open until October 15.
