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Wisconsin
12

Wisconsin State Parks

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USA Parks
Wisconsin
Northwoods Region
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
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Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest © Chris Schlosser
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest © John T. Scott
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest © John T. Scott
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest © John T. Scott
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest © John T. Scott
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest © John T. Scott
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NORTHERN HIGHLAND-AMERICAN LEGION STATE FOREST
NORTHERN HIGHLAND-AMERICAN LEGION STATE FOREST
4125 Cty Hwy M
Boulder Junction, Wisconsin   54512

Phone: 715-356-3668
Reservations: 715-542-2075
Email: park email button icon
The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is an awe-inspiring natural treasure, encompassing over 225,000 acres of pristine wilderness. Its picturesque beauty is defined by majestic rolling hills, crystal-clear lakes, meandering rivers, and dense forests of towering pine and hardwood trees. This forest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering an extensive network of well-maintained hiking trails, perfect for exploring the diverse ecosystems and spotting wildlife. With its abundant recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, camping, and hunting, coupled with its peaceful ambiance and undeniable natural charm, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is an idyllic escape that captivates the hearts of all who visit.
History of the Area
- Pre-European Settlement: Before European settlement, the forest was primarily inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Ojibwe and Menominee tribes. They utilized the area for hunting, fishing, and gathering resources.

- Logging Era (late 1800s - early 1900s): The region experienced extensive logging operations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The towering white pines of the forest were highly valued for their timber and were harvested on a massive scale. However, this unsustainable logging led to significant deforestation and ecological damage.

- Conservation Efforts (early 1900s): Recognizing the importance of preserving natural areas, conservationists and concerned citizens advocated for the protection and restoration of Wisconsin's forests. In 1925, the Wisconsin legislature established the Northern Highland State Forest as one of the state's first designated forest reserves.

- American Legion Partnership (mid-20th century): In the late 1940s, the American Legion formed a partnership with the state of Wisconsin to establish the American Legion-Merriam Park Foundation. The foundation purchased 14,500 acres of land within the forest, which was later transferred to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to create the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. This collaboration helped expand the forest's size and improve recreational opportunities within it.

- Preservation and Recreation: In recent decades, the state forest has focused on preserving its natural resources and providing recreational opportunities for visitors. The forest covers approximately 232,000 acres and encompasses multiple lakes, rivers, and wetlands. It offers a diverse range of recreational activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, and cross-country skiing.

- Natural Heritage: The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest holds various natural highlights. It contains one of Wisconsin's largest contiguous stands of old-growth forest, hosting a variety of tree species. It is also known for its numerous glacial lakes, which offer exceptional fishing and water-based recreation.
Passes
A Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas, please visit the VEHICLE ADMISSION STICKERS web page.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
Camping
1. Crystal Lake Campground offers spacious sites, swimming beach and boat access to the lake.
2. Firefly Lake Campground is a quiet option with non:electric campsites.
3. Carrol Lake Campground provides secluded camping spots near water for fishing enthusiasts.
4. Cunard Junior Group campsite caters specifically to youth groups up to 60 people in size.
5. Buffalo Lake Camping Resort has full hook:up RV sites, tenting areas and cabin rentals available year-round.


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Location
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is

Trails
1. Raven Nature Trail: A 13-mile trail system offering four loops of varying lengths, ideal for hiking and bird watching.

2. Madeline Lake Pathway: This is a moderate difficulty 4-mile loop around the scenic lake with abundant wildlife sightings possible.

3. North Trout Lake Campground Trails: Features two trails; one short half mile nature walk and another longer three miles hike through dense forest areas.

4. Crystal Lake Nature Trail: An easy to navigate . 75 mile interpretive trail that winds its way along the beautiful shoreline of Crystal Lake.

5. Powell Marsh Wildlife Area Hiking Route: Offers an approximately five miles long trek across diverse terrains including marshes, forests, grasslands etc. , perfect for observing various species in their natural habitats.

6. McNaughton Lakes Canoe Trip/Hike: It's about six-miles-long exploring several lakes within Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest via canoeing or hiking.

7. Escort Point Walking Paths: These are shorter walks ranging from quarter to half-a-mile each providing stunning views over Escort Bay on Tomahawk River.

8. Starrett Memorial Interpretative Loop: The Starret Memorial offers a self-guided educational tour covering just under one mile featuring local flora/fauna information boards throughout.

9. Tom Roberts Memorial Nature Walk: Located near Clear lake campground this less than a third-of-a-mile path provides opportunities for spotting numerous woodland birds as well as other small animals native to Wisconsin's northern highland region.

10. White Deer Loop: At slightly more than seven-and-half-miles White deer loop takes hikers past multiple bodies of water making it popular among fishing enthusiasts too besides being loved by trekkers.


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Directions
1. Start by getting onto I:94 W.
2. Continue for about 100 miles until you reach exit 108B to merge onto US:51 N toward Merrill/Wausau.
3. Stay on US:51 N for approximately another 70 miles.
4. Take the WI:47/US Highway 8 exit towards Rhinelander/Lac Du Flambeau and turn left at the end of ramp.
5. Clearwater Lake Rd is next; take a right here after driving around five more minutes.

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Wisconsin
12

Wisconsin State Parks

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