Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest features more than 225,000 acres of public land with over 900 lakes in northern Wisconsin. The forest sits at elevations between 1,500 and 1,750 feet, creating a cooler microclimate than surrounding areas. Camping options near Presque Isle range from rustic sites with vault toilets to more developed campgrounds with shower facilities and electrical hookups.
What to do
Biking on paved trails: The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest offers extensive paved bike routes that connect multiple campgrounds and towns. "The quiet campground across the road from the busier Crystal Lake campground. Convenient to the lovely bike trail that takes you to Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters," notes a Musky Lake Campground visitor.
Non-motorized lake activities: Crystal clear lakes provide ideal conditions for swimming, kayaking, and fishing without motorboat traffic. "Great to camp anytime of year. Though there aren't really electric sites, having showers and flush toilets is a huge plus," writes a camper at Crystal Lake Campground, adding "Roughly 1.5mi trail around the lake and you can walk from the campground to Fallison Lake to do a hike there."
Winter activities: Many campgrounds in the area remain open year-round for winter recreation. "State park, clear water, big, quiet sites, motor free swimming lake and additional fishing lakes, nearby small town with cute shops and good food," reports one visitor to Musky Lake Campground.
What campers like
Lakeside camping: Sites with direct water access are highly valued for their convenience and views. At Upper Gresham Lake Campground, "Site 1515 has a separate tent nook and its own short trail going downhill to the lakeshore. Vault toilets and water are available too."
Local wildlife: The area's diverse ecosystem supports many animal species, particularly birds. "Fall asleep to loons! Big clean sites. Clean bathrooms/showers. Between two lakes. Near hiking, kayaking, swimming," shares a Musky Lake Campground camper. Another notes, "Loons will sing you to sleep."
Proximity to towns: Many campgrounds offer a balance of nature and access to small town amenities. At Upper Gresham Lake Campground, visitors appreciate that "this campground is really close to Boulder Junction. It's a fun town with lots of interesting things to do (We stumbled upon the weekly Lyons Club flea market and found some wonderful homemade jam and cookies)."
What you should know
Weather and seasonal considerations: The area experiences distinct seasons with bug activity varying by time of year. A visitor to Sandy Beach Lake Campground notes: "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... We would enjoy this much more out of the fly season."
Availability of sites: Lakefront sites tend to fill quickly, especially during summer months. "We got one of a couple open sites," reports a Sandy Beach Lake camper, while another mentions "Sites that are near the lake have more direct access."
Varying privacy levels: Site seclusion differs substantially between and within campgrounds. "We loved the amount of greenery between sites that kept us feeling secluded. The tall trees provided shade," shares a Sandy Beach Lake camper. At Big Lake Campground, a visitor notes: "Sites that I stayed in seem to have good amount of vegetation in between for privacy."
Tips for camping with families
Motor-free lakes for safety: Several lakes prohibit motorized boats, making them ideal for family swimming and paddling. A Big Lake Campground visitor explains: "This is a nice campground located in a nice place that isn't too rustic. Lots of sites in this large campground too. The road in is paved and yet nicely wooded."
Local attractions: Beyond camping, the area offers family-friendly activities in nearby towns. "The Corner Store just a few miles down the road for some delicious ice cream!" recommends a Musky Lake Campground visitor who calls it their "Favorite Family Spot."
Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature dedicated swimming beaches with sandy shorelines. "You can get sites that have your own beach pretty much with a trail right down to the lake. Very nice," reports a Crystal Lake visitor. Another camper adds, "The water and beach is clean. The staff is friendly and helpful."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Presque Isle offer basic amenities for RVs. A Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park visitor explains: "Campground is rustic with only vault toilets and no hookups. There is a section that allows generators during certain hours of the day, a non-generator area and a few walk-in sites."
Site selection considerations: For RVs, choosing the right site matters for access and level ground. "Most sites are large with trees but not many are very level," notes a Lake Gogebic State Park visitor who stayed for 3 nights.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the region, which may affect GPS and communication abilities. A Crystal Lake Campground visitor reports: "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."
Scout
