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Northern Highland State Forest campgrounds welcome pets throughout their network of sites around Woodruff. Clear Lake Campground provides lakefront sites where campers can bring dogs to enjoy the clear waters and beach areas. Patricia Lake Campground features a dedicated fenced dog run and separate swimming area specifically for pets, making it particularly suitable for canine companions. Most campgrounds in the area maintain standard leash policies, typically requiring dogs to be on leashes no longer than 8 feet when outside designated pet areas. Campgrounds are kept exceptionally clean with regular maintenance of pet waste stations and disposal areas.
Dog owners particularly appreciate the extensive trail systems connecting many Northern Highland State Forest campgrounds, perfect for daily exercise with leashed pets. The paved bike path through wooded areas at Clear Lake offers an ideal walking route for dogs and their owners, connecting to hidden lakes and wildlife viewing opportunities where loons can often be heard calling. The Cunard Lake area remains less crowded even during peak holiday weekends, providing a quieter experience for noise-sensitive dogs. Local veterinary services can be found in Minocqua, approximately 15 minutes from most campgrounds, with emergency services available during summer months. Campers should note that while beaches are generally pet-friendly, dogs must remain leashed at designated swimming areas and are not permitted in human swimming zones for safety and sanitation reasons.
"The loons on the lake are the epitome of the north woods! I camp to enjoy wildlife, so this is a plus. Nice hiking trails nearby. Numerous bike paths as well."
"Lakeside sites have their own path to the lake. Campers would leave their water “toys” ashore for use the next day. Loons singing; very peaceful."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"There is a paved bike path through the woods all the way to the registraion area. We arrived at our campsite, unloaded the bikes, then proceeded to ride to check in."
"Campsite is very near a lake with plenty of wildlife. The weather is unpredictable so bring extra layers just in case."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"We had the perfect set up.. right on the water and tucked into the woods. Our neighbors were to far to hear us and the bathrooms were near by!"
"Some provide camper access, walk in private access and water access. Cunard Lake allows non motorized watercrafts and has a great swimming area."
from $19 / night
Check Availability"The best sites are lake sites (obviously), but there are some better than others. Look along the east side of the lake for a sandy beach off of your site."
"You can get sites that have your own beach pretty much with a trail right down to the lake. Very nice."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Large fenced in dog run and also area for dogs to swim Quiet too"
"Great location to explore Minocqua. The campground is comprised mostly of seasonal folks, but offers 20 some sights to non-seasonal."
from $30 - $43 / night
Check Availability"Very nice campground in state forest in northern Wisconsin. NO electricity. Generators allowed from 10 am to 5 pm. "
"This is a beautiful campground nestled in Wisconsin’s north woods. There are many choices for sites."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Some sites have beautiful lake views(we suggest trying those first). There are also some double sites that would nestle you in closely with your neighbors- perfect for a larger group."
"Loved the water view from our campsite, unfortunately on the other side was the main entrance and a highway so vehicular traffic sound was prominent. Sites are large, with some tree coverage."
from $19 / night
Check Availability"The majority of the weekend campsites are located near the prime activity locations; the pool, playground and lake areas. There are full sun and full shade sites available."
"It’s big and spacious and on the most beautiful clear lake. Good fishing and boating/skiing. Minoqua is easily accessible."
"Buffalo Lake Campground in the Norther Highlands-American Legion State Forest is spectacular - the sites are large and beautiful - we had campsite 2020 which overlooked the lake, a perfect spot to hang"
"Great state campground, near Minocqua WI. Was clean and was a busy weekend of people but great space, little to know bugs."
from $19 / night
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TravelerLoved this camping trip. Great park. Super helpful and friendly staff/hosts. Clean bathrooms, pet friendly. Awesome location on Lake Gogebic shore. Close to Porcupine Mountains and Bond Falls and hiking trails. Would love to visit again.
GuideVery nice campground in state forest in northern Wisconsin. NO electricity. Generators allowed from 10 am to 5 pm. There are multiple paved bike trails and groomed hiking trails and other lakes in the area. Woodruff and Minocqua are nearby. The lake is clear, sandy with many areas where you can swim. No electric motors on lake so it is nice for kayaking. All the sites are large and surrounded by trees, shady. Clean showers and bathrooms with water as well as several pit toilets. Dump and clean water available at next campground, Crystal Lake, which is a mile away.
There are MANY other campgrounds in the Northern Highlands state forest but this is the ONLY one with showers available. Cell phone service is minimal with Verizon. We could send and receive texts.
GuideWe have been coming here for a long time. It is under new management and we thought things would get better. While we were here other guests trashed the beach and had dogs running and using the bathroom throughout the campsite. The rules for dogs were to keep them on leashes and clean up after them. These rules were not being followed which caused the beach, in the past is lovely, but with the dogs using it as a bathroom the beach smelt like poop. Nobody in our week of staying cleaned up after them so we needed to go somewhere else to swim. If your place is pet friendly please make sure to keep up with your own rules. The cabins are run down but showers are hot and the utilities are still able to be used
GuideWelcoming, clean and charming old fashioned camping & RV’ing. Nice paved road coming in. Friendly owner on site. Convenient dump station. Water and Electric. Swam in lake. Very family and pet friendly. Would go back!! Recycling avail.
LegendThis large campground stretches out along the lakeshore. Some sites have beautiful lake views(we suggest trying those first). There are also some double sites that would nestle you in closely with your neighbors- perfect for a larger group. A few walk in spots are available too.
The nature trail doesn’t allow pets which was sad. However the paved bike route is nearby and goes for miles. Town is a short bike ride away. This weekend was an organized ride so it was quite a busy path. A couple days later the town had a large garage sale-type fair. The cookies and jam were great!
This was a great discovery. We are adding this to our places to return to.
The lake is beautiful and has a nice picnic area with a place to launch your boat.
LegendNestled within Wisconsin forest you find Sailor Lake. This national forest campground has water access as well as sites away from the lake. We stayed at site 12 - a pull through site away from the water.
Many, although not all, of the waterside sites are for tents. You park and carry your gear down a few steps for a close to the water feel. There is an open area for everyone to enjoy the lake - it’s filled with purple flowers today. With plenty of woods around, all sites offer privacy but they have different vibes. Plenty of choice here so look around or reserve one. Plenty of sites available for walk-ins too. A couple of vault toilets, garage receptacle and water source round out a nice camp.
ATV trails as well as non-motorized trails are plentiful. We hiked on them and it was nice. Minimal cell signal encourages disconnecting for your stay.
RangerWe stayed here one quick night on a trip driving the Trans Wisconsin ATV Trail. This is one of 2 campgrounds in the Flambeau River State Forest. It was fairly rustic and remote, but had clean vault toilets, hand pump for water, and a nicely wooded sites. We walked to the lake at dusk and enjoyed great views. There is a boat launch, and also a path to a small beach with a swim area. Not a destination for us, but a great stop.
Read more, check out the map: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/stateforests/flambeauriver/camping.html You can check availability and reserve some of the sites online on the Wisconsin DRN site, or just pay at the pay station.
Pro Tip: We found wood close by at the Flambeau Forest Inn, with a pick up and paybox outside. Nice to be able to get wood without needing to go inside.
TravelerLoved the water view from our campsite, unfortunately on the other side was the main entrance and a highway so vehicular traffic sound was prominent. Sites are large, with some tree coverage. Many families with kids and dogs. Well maintained and great walking and biking trails in the park and surrounding area.
LegendNice campground situated in Northern Wisconsin in the North Highland American Legion State Forest. Over 900 lakes and 225,000 acres. As you will read from my other reviews of campgrounds in this area, this is the place to be if you love camping, fishing or bicycling. This is the bicycle trail capital in the State of Wisconsin for sure! There are paved bicycle trails connecting every campground and every town. There are nature trails everywhere that vary in length. North Trout Lake is a nice lake to swim in an can get pretty wavy with good winds, swim at your own risk, the beach is Sandy but turns to rock the further you go in. This campground offers some awesome walk-in campsites situated in front of the water near the beach. There are also numerous standard sites that sit on the water but it can be tough to get one during peak season. This campground also offers good size camp sites with plenty of room to set up. . There are no showers or flush toilets at this location but the restrooms were clean and there are plenty of water pumps for fresh water. If you can live with the minimum this campground is nice. This campground is about and 18 min drive. Northeast from the tourist town of Minaqua and 7 minutes drive from Bolder Junction, another tourist town that is located just East. Bicycle trails lead you to either direction. Both towns have convinces of dining, services, and lodging if needed.
Northern Highland State Forest spans over 236,000 acres across Vilas, Oneida, and Iron counties with over 900 lakes and streams providing diverse camping options near Woodruff, Wisconsin. The forest sits at an average elevation of 1,600 feet above sea level, creating a cooler microclimate than surrounding regions. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-80°F, with July and August seeing the highest camping demand.
Biking on paved trails: The paved bike trail near Clear Lake Campground connects to multiple destinations in the region. "Convenient to the lovely bike trail that takes you to Boulder Junction and Manitowish Waters," notes Shelley F. The trail system offers connections between campgrounds and nearby towns for exploring local attractions.
Paddling on motor-free lakes: Crystal Lake Campground offers pristine waters ideal for non-motorized watercraft. "No motors are allowed which is why I chose it as it made paddling much easier," reports Scott M. The crystal clear water with sandy bottom provides excellent visibility for spotting underwater features and fish.
Fishing across various lakes: The lakes in Northern Highland State Forest support diverse fish populations. "This place brings back beautiful childhood memories. Fishing around the Big lake and even losing an anchor or 2 along the way," shares Chad P. about Musky Lake Campground. The area supports both shore fishing and boat fishing with multiple species available including musky, walleye, and panfish.
Private water access: Many sites at Musky Lake Campground feature direct lake access from individual campsites. "Lakeside sites have their own path to the lake. Campers would leave their water 'toys' ashore for use the next day," explains Brenda S. These private access points allow campers to enter the water without traveling to public beaches.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The sounds of loons create a distinctive camping experience in the area. "Loons singing; very peaceful," describes Brenda S. at Musky Lake. Another camper at Buffalo Lake noted the campground was "spectacular - the sites are large and beautiful - we had campsite 2020 which overlooked the lake, a perfect spot to hang our hammock and relax."
Night sky viewing: Open sites at some campgrounds provide excellent stargazing opportunities. "Big open site. Great for star viewing," writes Rebecca B. The minimal light pollution in the Northern Highland State Forest creates ideal conditions for astronomical observation during clear nights.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the forest require advance booking, especially for premium sites. "You will need to reserve your site 11 months in advance because it fills up fast," advises Joel N. about Clear Lake. Some smaller campgrounds like Cunard Lake may have more availability even during peak times.
Noise regulations: Cunard Lake has specific quiet area designations. "Lake Cunard 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," explains S P.
Cell service variability: Connectivity ranges from adequate to minimal depending on location. At Firefly Lake, one camper noted "Cell phone service is minimal with Verizon. We could send and receive texts." This varies by campground and carrier, with some areas having better reception than others.
Swimming beaches: Lynn Ann's Campground offers excellent swimming options for families. "Very clean, family friendly campground. The sites are a decent size with shade. Excellent swimming beach and tons of things to do in the area," writes Bill D. The beach areas provide safe water entry points with gradual depth changes suitable for children.
Lakefront sites for children: Clear Lake has designated family-friendly areas. "This is a great lake for kids and good biking. Sites on the lake are difficult to get but worth the effort," shares Bryan G. These sites allow parents to supervise children playing in the water directly from their campsite.
Nearby attractions: Local ice cream shops provide family-friendly excursions from campgrounds. "You definitely have to go visit the Corner Store just a few miles down the road for some delicious ice cream!" recommends Mark E. about staying at Firefly Lake. The region offers several similar small businesses catering to families within short driving distance.
Limited full-hookup options: Patricia Lake Campground provides one of the few full-service options in the area. "Sites are relatively spaced apart for a private campground and offer FHU's for those needing to stay a night or two to dump tanks, etc.," notes Rick G. Most state forest campgrounds offer more limited services with minimal or no hookups.
Generator restrictions: Firefly Lake has specific rules about generator use. "Generators allowed from 10 am to 5 pm," reports Mary, noting that most campgrounds in the forest have similar restrictions or prohibit generators entirely. RVers dependent on power should plan accordingly with battery systems.
Campground surface conditions: Site composition varies across the region. "The shady sites are amongst the evergreens, so they tend to be sandier. The full sun sites are all grass," explains Mike W. about Indian Shores. These surface variations affect stabilization requirements for larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Woodruff, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Woodruff, WI is Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 16 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Woodruff, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 120 dog-friendly camping locations near Woodruff, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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