Camper submitted image from Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest - 3
People
Camper submitted image from Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest - 4
Activities
Camper submitted image from Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest - 5
Camping

Established Camping

Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

About

State Park

Musky Lake Campground in the Northern Highland State Forest is a gem for anyone looking to escape into nature. This spot is open all year and offers a peaceful retreat with plenty of privacy. The campground is near Boulder Junction, WI, and is known for its clean showers and bathrooms, which is a big plus when things get busy.

One of the standout features here is the easy access to hiking and biking trails. You can even take a leisurely bike ride to a local ice cream shop, which visitors rave about. The lake itself is perfect for swimming and kayaking, and the loons will sing you to sleep at night. If you're into stargazing, the big open sites provide a fantastic view of the night sky.

For those who love a good campfire, you'll be happy to know that fires are allowed, and firewood is available for purchase. Pets are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry friends along. Just keep in mind that while there are no sewer hookups, there are sanitary dump stations available.

The campground is also big rig friendly, making it a great spot for RVs. If you prefer tent camping, there are plenty of sites to choose from, including some with stunning water views. Sites 311 and 310 come highly recommended for their great views and relative seclusion.

Overall, Musky Lake Campground offers a fantastic mix of natural beauty, convenient amenities, and a variety of activities to keep everyone entertained. Whether you're here for a quiet getaway or an adventure-filled weekend, this place has got you covered.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest is located in Wisconsin

Detail location of campground

Directions

To Crystal Lake Contact Station from the intersection of Hwys 51 and 47, travel north on Hwy 51, 6.2 miles to County Hwy M. Turn right on County Hwy M and go 2.7 miles to County Hwy N. Turn way N. right on County Hwy N and go 2 miles. The Crystal Lake Contact Contact station is on the left.

Address

10200 Highway N
Boulder Junction, WI 54512

Coordinates

46.00399777 N
89.60437128 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

82%
19%
0%
0%
0%

5.0

out of 5

16 Reviews

Reviewed Nov. 11, 2022

Beautiful Fall

Stayed here late in the fall on a warm weekend....it was perfect. not many people and lots of leaves on the ground but still felt like things were private. There are a lot of sites...lots. 

Showers and bathrooms are very clean, but that is probably harder when things get busy. Really enjoyed the different sites too choose from. If you can't get a site on the water look to get a site away from the water as best you can. It is less busy. 311 and 310 were good sites to me but really any along the water were pretty great views.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Scott M., November 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Scott M., November 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Scott M., November 11, 2022
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Jun. 8, 2022

Late Summer Stay

Last trip of the summer before school started. We stayed at a great site with plenty of privacy, but lots of space for the kids. Best part of this stay was the easy bike ride on the wonderfully maintained bike path to the local ice cream shop. Too many amazing flavors!

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2020

Favorite Family Spot

My family have been camping at Firefly for years! Beautiful campground with private campsites. Quiet lake that's great for swimming and kayaking. Many different hiking and biking trails to explore and you definitely have to go visit the Corner Store just a few miles down the road for some delicious ice cream!

  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Mark E., July 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Mark E., July 1, 2020
Reviewed Feb. 17, 2020

Great place to camp!

Loved this site. Big open site. Great for star viewing. In between two great lakes. With hiking, biking trails. Loons will sing you to sleep. Sites are big and nicely spaced out. Nice shower-restrooms. Lots of mature trees mean lots of places to hang your hammock.

Site321
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 17, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Feb. 16, 2020

Fall asleep to loons!

Big clean sites. Clean bathrooms/showers. Between to lakes. Near hiking, kayaking, swimmimg.

Site316
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 16, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Feb. 16, 2020

My yearly northwoods escape

Beautiful crystal clear lake. Loons common. Great sites on the water. On bike and hiking trails. Great for swimming and kayaking.

Site448
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Rebecca B., February 16, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

Right on the paved bike trail

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.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

Wooded Sites Along the Lake

Musky Lake Campground is a nice campground. We camped mid-late June and had a nice little trip. Here's the good and the bad.

The good:

A surplus of dragonflies means that mosquitos were NOT a problem. As someone who gets eaten alive this is important.

Deer are rampant in the area. 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.

Large bathroom facility with flush toilets and showers.

The bad:

Sites are close together. I prefer a bit more privacy than they allow.

Lake access from the site is...existent at best. I was able to launch my inflatable kayak very carefully between the sticks and weeds, though I'm not sure anything bigger or heavier would be worth launching from the site.

No beach swimming areas for dogs. There's a dog friendly picnic area, but it is certainly no place to let your dog swim.This was disappointing. Many of the trails are also off limits for dogs which is beyond me, though this is unrelated to the actual campground I'm sure.

All in all Musky Lake is worth checking out. There is a nice human friendly beach at nearby (you can walk there) Crystal Lake. The location is good, not too far from civilization for those who like a grocery store nearby.The sites were level and had plenty of room for our 2 tents. This area has to be on your list if you are a bike rider! I felt out of place because everyone up there had their bikes, and I could see why.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Selah S., September 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Selah S., September 29, 2018
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Selah S., September 29, 2018
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2018

Quiet Camping Getaway

State park, clear water, big, quiet sites, motor free swimming lake and additional fishing lakes, nearby small town with cute shops and good food

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2018

Bring You Bicycle!!

Big Muskellunge Lake is one of many campgrounds situated in the North Highland American Legion State Forest and one of three in a two mile radius that offers modern facilities with showers and flush toilets. You enter this campground at the same entrance as Crystal Lake campground. The park headquarters building is at the entrance and is an excellent place to stop in and get information on all trails, campgrounds and conveniences you need. I would suggest that if you need fire wood that you purchase it at the time of check in at this building as well. They will give you a ticket for the woodshed and you will be able to pick your wood up between the hours of 4-7pm. You will drive through Crystal Lake Campground on your way to Big Musky. Big Musky is a little further back and seems to be a bit less crowded. I do prefer the atmosphere of Big Musky and camping under the Jack Pines. Big Musky has flush toilets and showers For swimming, there is a walking trail that takes you from Big Musky Campground to Crystal Lake. The lake is crystal clear as the title states! There are two beahes on the lake and parking is available at each beach incase you want to throw a picnic or bring swimming toys! Picnic tabels and grills are available at each beach. Not far from the beach there is also a wonderful nature center that can supply kids and adults with education materials and activities.You can not visit the area without bringing your bicycle! If you don't bring one you will wish you had! This is the bicycle capital area in the state!

If you need conveniences Suh as food, shopping, etc....you have multiple towns with in 10-15 min. drive. Be prepared though that they are tourist towns and traffic can be hectic at times.

  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Jay W., July 20, 2018
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Jay W., July 20, 2018
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Jay W., July 20, 2018
  • (15) View All
Reviewed Jun. 23, 2018

Peaceful and secluded!

Just south of Boulder Junction, WI. New and clean bathroom facilities with showers and flush toilets. 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.

Site265
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Brenda S., June 23, 2018
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Brenda S., June 23, 2018
Reviewed Mar. 20, 2017

Great Lake for kids.

This is one of my favorite campgrounds. It has a Great Lake for kids and good biking. Sites on the lake are difficult to get but worth the effort. I have made yearly trips for 20 years.

Reviewed Sep. 14, 2016

Beautiful!

We planned to stay 2 nights, our site was so beautiful we ended up staying 4! Our site had amazing water views morning and night. The water was super clear and we listened to loons every day. Close to Boulder Junction, fishing, biking, hiking, swimming all available. Showers available within a 5 minute drive, our site restrooms were always clean and the camp host was very friendly. Couldn't ask for a better place to stay!

  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by RJ G., September 14, 2016
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by RJ G., September 14, 2016
  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by RJ G., September 14, 2016
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2016

Small quiet lake

Walked around, connected by trail to Crystal Lake. Beautiful area, lots of hiking and biking.

  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Adrienne L., September 7, 2016
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2016

One of our favorite spots

Beautiful clear water, bike paths galore, big sites. Close to Minocqua, cute touristy town. Lots of trails connecting to other lakes.

  • Review photo of Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest by Adrienne L., September 7, 2016
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2016

Great fishing place

This place brings back beautiful childhood memories. Fishing around the Big lake and even losing an anchor or 2 along the way :-). Sites are very wooded and quiet and clean. Also remember your bike here as there are many trails and sights to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Musky Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is unknown.