Big Lake Campground in Northern Highland State Forest is near Manitowish Waters, WI. The area features forested terrain with numerous lakes and rivers. Summer temperatures range from 50°F to 80°F, while winter temperatures can drop to 0°F. Nearby attractions include the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes and the North Lakeland Discovery Center.

Big Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

Join the fun near Presque Isle. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Presque Isle

The Best Camping Near Presque Isle, Wisconsin

Have stayed here two or three times. Pretty quiet except for the boaters coming in and out in the morning and evening. Just your basic campground with pit toilets and pump water. Firewood available for $5 or $6 when I was there. Sites that I stayed in seem to have good amount of vegetation in between for privacy. Overall a good campground.

Basic State Forest Campground

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. It feels like a more upscale location than some other more remote campgrounds. Once in there are a variety of sites to choose from. Firewood is for sale in the wooden building - an honor system for payment. Vault toilets are spread throughout. 

Big lake is beautiful and certainly a draw. We loved the bicycle route that runs throughout the area. People were walking, running and biking - even one wheels were in play. This is a great way to get out into the dispersed local community without touching your vehicle. If you would rather something more trail oriented, WinMan Trails is not far. To be honest, we only made it a mile before we ran back to the car to avoid the flies and mosquitoes. The trails were beautiful. They also have mountain bike routes and short tracks along with winter cross country ski routes. 

This is a welcoming campground that we look forward to returning to. 

Nicer side of rustic camping on a Great Lake with a paved bike route

Big Lake Campground is a great spot if you’re looking for a simple and peaceful camping experience. The facilities are very basic—vault toilets and no showers—but they are clean and well-maintained. Firewood is available for sale on-site, which is super convenient.

The real highlight is the beautiful natural surroundings. The campground is nestled in a quiet, wooded area, perfect for relaxing and disconnecting. There are some really nice hiking trails nearby, offering scenic views and opportunities to spot wildlife.

If you’re okay with minimal amenities and want to enjoy nature, this is a great spot. Perfect for tent campers and anyone looking for a rustic getaway!

Photos of Big Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

Real photos from real campers