North Trout Lake Campground: Your Scenic & Rustic Wisconsin Northwoods Hub

North Trout Lake campground Introduce

For residents of Wisconsin, the allure of the Northwoods is an invitation to reconnect with nature, breathe fresh air, and embrace the outdoor lifestyle our state is famous for. When it comes to camping, the perfect spot often balances natural beauty with convenient access to recreational activities. North Trout Lake Campground, nestled within the expansive Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, offers precisely this combination, making it an outstanding choice for locals seeking a memorable and authentic Wisconsin camping experience.

Unlike some modern campgrounds that emphasize extensive amenities, North Trout Lake Campground provides a more rustic charm, appealing to those who appreciate a genuine connection with the wilderness. It's a place where you can truly unplug, surrounded by towering red pines and the clear waters of Trout Lake. What sets this campground apart is not just its natural beauty, but also its thoughtful design that offers spacious sites, accessibility to incredible biking trails, and direct beach access. For Wisconsin locals, it represents an opportunity to immerse themselves in the state's natural heritage, create lasting memories, and enjoy the tranquility of a well-maintained state forest campground. This article will explore the many facets of North Trout Lake Campground, highlighting why it remains a cherished gem in the heart of our Northwoods.

Location and Accessibility

North Trout Lake Campground is ideally situated at

4525-4599 Co Hwy M, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, USA

. This location places it within the vast and pristine Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, a crown jewel of Wisconsin's natural landscapes. Boulder Junction, a charming and well-known Northwoods community, is just a short distance away, offering a variety of local shops, restaurants, and services for campers.

Access to North Trout Lake Campground is straightforward for those traveling from various parts of Wisconsin. Major state highways, such as US-51, lead directly into the Northwoods region, connecting seamlessly with well-maintained county roads like County Highway M that guide visitors to the campground entrance. While the campground offers a sense of being 'away from it all,' its proximity to Boulder Junction ensures that campers have convenient access to necessities without having to venture far. This balance between secluded nature and nearby conveniences makes it a practical choice for both weekend getaways and longer stays. Furthermore, its location is a prime starting point for exploring the extensive network of biking and walking trails that crisscross the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, connecting to other towns like Sayner, St. Germain, and even Crystal Lake Campground. This exceptional accessibility to both natural recreation and local services significantly enhances the camping experience at North Trout Lake.

Services Offered

North Trout Lake Campground provides a range of essential services designed to ensure a comfortable and self-sufficient rustic camping experience.

Clean Campsites: The campground maintains very nice and clean sites, providing a pleasant base for your outdoor adventures.
Spacious Sites: Campsites are noted for being large and offering ample space, including some walk-in sites that provide extra seclusion and gorgeous lake views.
Vault Toilets: Clean vault toilets are available throughout the campground, offering necessary facilities even without running water.
Hand Pumps for Drinking Water: Potable water is available via hand pumps, ensuring access to fresh drinking water.
Firewood for Sale On-site: For convenience, firewood is available for purchase at the campground, though fallen trees within the forest also provide a sustainable source for campfires (bring a saw!).
Sanitary Dump Station: A dump station is available for RVs, making it easier for those with self-contained units.
Garbage & Recycling Dumpsters: Separate dumpsters are provided for trash and recycling, promoting environmental responsibility.

Features / Highlights

North Trout Lake Campground boasts several distinctive features and highlights that make it a compelling destination for Wisconsin locals seeking a rustic yet engaging camping experience.

Massive Red Pine Forest Setting: The campground is beautifully nestled within a stand of massive red pines. This provides abundant shade, a classic Northwoods aesthetic, and a sense of immersion in a truly natural environment.
Excellent Bike Trail Access: A major highlight is its first-rate access to the extensive paved Heart of Vilas Bicycle Path. Campers can directly access trails that lead as far as St. Germain or Manitowish Waters, making it a prime hub for cycling enthusiasts. This feature is a consistent point of praise from visitors.
Gorgeous Trout Lake with Sandy Beach: North Trout Lake offers clear, hard sand bottom areas, making it great for swimming. Several campsites boast direct access to a sandy beach, providing ideal spots for lakeside relaxation and water activities.
Secluded Walk-in Sites with Lake Views: The campground features a number of walk-in sites that provide enhanced seclusion from neighboring campers, often accompanied by stunning views of Trout Lake, catering to those who desire more privacy.
Abundant Free Firewood: A unique and highly appreciated feature is the availability of fallen trees throughout the campground, allowing campers to gather their own firewood and save money—just remember to bring a saw!
Managed by Stellar DNR Staff: Visitors frequently commend the Wisconsin DNR staff for their excellent management and maintenance of the site and facilities, ensuring a high-quality camping experience.
First-Come, First-Served System (Historically): While transitioning to a reservation system in 2022, for a long time, North Trout was one of the last remaining first-come, first-served DNR campgrounds, often allowing campers to find a site even in peak season. This historical accessibility speaks to its unique appeal and current transition to reservations should be noted.
Extended Season: North Trout Lake Campground is notable for being open late into the fall and reopening early in the spring, allowing campers to enjoy the Northwoods during the beautiful shoulder seasons, including vibrant fall colors.
Nature Trail Access: A nice walking trail within the campground allows for easy, scenic strolls right from your campsite.

Contact Information

For inquiries or reservations regarding North Trout Lake Campground, please use the following contact information. Note that as a Wisconsin DNR campground, the phone number provided may route to a regional or state forest office for general inquiries rather than a direct campground line.

Address: 4525-4599 Co Hwy M, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, USA

Phone: (815) 307-9164

Mobile Phone: +1 815-307-9164

(For specific reservations or the most current information, it is always recommended to check the official Wisconsin DNR website for the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest and North Trout Lake Campground.)

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Wisconsin residents seeking an authentic and enriching camping experience, North Trout Lake Campground in Boulder Junction stands out as an undeniable gem. It perfectly encapsulates the essence of the Northwoods, offering a rustic yet comfortable environment where natural beauty takes center stage. The spacious, clean sites nestled among towering red pines provide a serene backdrop for relaxation, while the direct access to Trout Lake's sandy beach offers excellent opportunities for swimming and water activities.

What truly makes North Trout Lake Campground ideal for locals is its unique blend of features. The extensive paved bike trail access allows for seamless exploration of the scenic Vilas County landscape, connecting to charming nearby towns. The availability of abundant fallen wood for campfires adds to the authentic, back-to-nature appeal, inviting campers to truly disconnect and embrace their surroundings. While some minor ambient noise from a nearby highway and occasional shooting range might be present, it's generally well-tolerated and often fades into the background of this peaceful setting. Coupled with the stellar management by the Wisconsin DNR staff and its extended operating season, North Trout Lake Campground provides a consistent, high-quality, and deeply satisfying outdoor escape that remains a beloved tradition for many Wisconsin families and outdoor enthusiasts. It’s a place to create new memories, enjoy the simple pleasures of camping, and truly appreciate the natural treasures of our home state.

North Trout Lake campground Photos

North Trout Lake campground Location

North Trout Lake campground

Wisconsin Vilas County Boulder Junction County Highway M

4525-4599 Co Hwy M, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, USA

North Trout Lake campground Reviews

Very nice camp ground, clean sites and large. Do not bother bringing wood or buying any, there was fallen trees everywhere to burn. Save your money and bring a saw. I wouldn't hesitate to come back. A few negatives are a shooting range close by so you will listen to that until it closes and it is close to a county highway, not terribly annoying or loud just something to be aware of. They have many walk in sites, fire wood for sale and vault toilets. A nice walking trail.
Oct 24, 2022 · Bryan Kuss
A gorgeous rustic campground nestled in a stand of massive red pines offering first-rate bike trail access. Trout Lake has a hard sand bottom here, making it great for swimming. Several campsites have direct access to the beach.You can start here and bike as far as St. Germain or Manitowish Waters without leaving paved trails.A number of walk-in sites within the property offer some seclusion from neighboring campers while providing gorgeous lake views.You can hear noise of the county highway throughout most of the campground, but it isn’t bad overnight and can be gotten used to.The grounds are open, high, windy and dry enough that the area seems to have fewer bugs than many nearby campgrounds.The Northern Highland American Legion State Forest staff does a stellar job managing the site and maintaining facilities.As of summer 2020 this is one of the last remaining first-come first-served campgrounds operated by the Wisconsin DNR. The lack of reservable sites helps maintain the unique experience found here. You can find an open site at this campground almost any weekend, even in the middle of summer. Enjoy it while it lasts; this and other remaining non-reservable campgrounds in the NHAL are moving onto the reservation system in 2022.North Trout is also one of few campgrounds in its region that’s open late into the fall and reopens early in spring. An all-around gem.
Apr 03, 2021 · Greg Krueger
If you're looking for a place that's out in the woods but without having to fight through a trail and be an hour away from supplies this is the right campground for you. It will give you the feeling of being in the woods but with all the comforts you would want for an easy relaxing trip.There are power sites as well and firewood for sale on site. The sites themselves are pretty open so if you're looking for privacy I would suggest the walk in sites.I do not suggest the north trout lake boat launch, extremely shallow. Use the south but be very careful there are a lot of bars and humps that come out of no where. Additionally the fishing is very hard on this lake. The fish won't be where you expect them and they are extremely spot specific. Too far to any side of structure and you won't get anything. Walleye and small mouth are your best bet. Highly suggest a guide.Outstanding views over all and very peaceful minus the sound of traffic during the day. But that goes away at night.
Sep 13, 2018 · Blake Everyday
Very clean and well kept sites, beach, rest rooms and grounds.. Beach is very nice and tons of room.Highway noice is loud ro very loud at times. It was logged recently and they didn't clean up the typical logging mess. I can see it out in the forest but not in a Camp Ground. The back looked like a tornado went through.Rest rooms rooms were very clean and didn't smell.Only strike it had was to allow logging in the camp, and or clean up the mess it made! Otherwise it would have received a 5!!!
Aug 06, 2022 · Brian Stewart
Nice campground on the lake. There was more traffic noise from Road M than I expected, but still was peaceful. Terrific access to the trail system and we also found great hiking on the forest roads. There was a camper parked in the host site, but no one was there during the 5 days we visited. Our fire pit has not been cleaned before we arrived. At $20/night plus Wisconsin forest pass, it was pricey for no electricity, but we still would return if we are ever in the area again.
Oct 03, 2022 · Deana Lehman