Modern Campgrounds
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
The NHAL State Forest has four modern family campgrounds. Crystal Lake, Musky Lake, Firefly Lake and Clear Lake campgrounds have a total of 355 sites. These campgrounds have paved roadways, flush toilets and showers but no electrical hookups. Generator use is allowed from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm when occupants are present at their campsite. There are also hand-pumped water and vault toilets throughout these campgrounds. Clear Lake and Crystal Lake campgrounds have dump stations. These sites may be occupied for up to 14 nights per visit.
Reservations
Camping reservations are required and can be made for the same day of your arrival or up to 11 months in advance of your planned date of occupancy. Campers must make a reservation before setting up on any site.
Reserve a campsite online or by calling 1-888-947-2757.
Clear Lake Campground
Clear Lake Campground, sites 701-801, is located in the southern portion of the forest on the southwest corner of Clear Lake. All sites in the campground are reservable. This 846-acre, the exceptionally clear lake provides excellent boating and good fishing. There are six vault toilet buildings, six hand pumps for drinking water, one flush toilet building with showers, a sanitary dump station and separate trash and recycling dumpsters. This campground has a large sandy beach with a marked swimming area, a water ski area, a boat landing and several boat trailer parking lots dispersed throughout the campground.
Sites 722-723, 737-738, 739-740 and 781-782 are double campsites. They accommodate up to 12 people and two-wheeled camping units.
Sites 704-710 and 732-733 are walk-to, tent-only sites where campers must hike a short distance from their cars to the campsite. Sites 705 and 726 are also designated for tents only.
This campground is open year-round, however, winter access is limited. The campground road between sites 701-720 is plowed as staffing allows. Driveways are plowed only for sites 718, 719, and 720. All other campsites, driveways, and campground roads are unplowed.
Get Directions - Clear Lake Campground
Clear Lake GPS coordinates: N45° 51.892’, W89° 39.037’
Crystal Lake Campground
Crystal Lake Campground (sites 401-501) is located in the central portion of the forest. All sites in the campground are reservable. The entire Crystal Lake shoreline is a designated beach so there are no pets allowed anywhere on the shoreline. There are also no motorized boats allowed on the lake. The campground surrounds most of the lake with access to Muskie Lake Campground. There are five vault toilet buildings, three hand pumps for drinking water, one flush toilet building with showers, a sanitary dump station and separate trash and recycling dumpsters. There is a small craft boat landing within the campground. Sites 463 and 438 are designated ADA-accessible.
Near the campground, there is a large marked swimming beach, picnic area and enclosed reservable shelter. The facility also features access to a paved bike trail that goes to Firefly Lake Campground and onto Boulder Junction in one direction, and past St. Germain in the other. There is also a nature center and a hard-surfaced nature trail for the mobility impaired.
Sites 439-440, 484-485, 497-498 and 499-500 are double campsites. They accommodate up to 12 people and two-wheeled camping units.
Sites 415-418 and 421-423 are walk-to, tent-only sites where campers must hike a short distance from their cars to the campsite.
This campground is open year-round, however, campground roads, driveways, and campsites are not plowed in the winter. Winter campers may park near the shower building (closed in winter) and walk into campsites.
Get Directions - Crystal Lake Campground
Crystal Lake GPS coordinates: N46° 00.129’, W89° 37.355’
Firefly Lake Campground
Firefly Lake Campground, sites 201-271, is located in the central portion of the forest on the north side of the lake. All sites in the campground are reservable. This 27-acre lake has excellent swimming due to the clear water and fine sand beach. No boat motors are allowed. The campground has five vault toilet buildings, five hand pumps for drinking water, one flush toilet building with showers, separate trash and recycling dumpsters and a carry-in boat landing. This campground is only about one-half mile from the Crystal Lake Picnic Area and is accessible by the paved bike trail at the campground entrance. Site 271 and 222 are ADA-accessible.
Sites 202-203, 223-225, 226-227, 245-247 and 267-268 are double campsites. They accommodate up to 12 people and two-wheeled camping units.
This campground is open April 1-Dec. 1 (snow conditions permitting).
Get Directions - Firefly Lake Campground
Firefly Lake GPS coordinates: N46° 00.169’, W89° 37.848’
Musky Lake Campground
Musky Lake Campground, sites 301-382, is located in the central portion of the forest on the southeast corner of Big Muskellunge Lake. All sites in the campground are reservable. The campground is located adjacent to Crystal Lake and the Crystal Lake Campground. There are three accessible vault toilet buildings, three hand pumps for drinking water, one flush toilet building with showers, separate trash and recycling dumpsters and a boat launch. A sanitary dump station can be found near the entrance to the Crystal Lake Visitor Station area. A sandy beach for swimming can be found nearby at the Crystal Lake Picnic Area. Site 318 is designated ADA-accessible.
Sites 336-337, 362-363, and 381-382 are double campsites. They accommodate up to 12 people and two-wheeled camping units.
This campground is open from April 30-Nov. 1.
Get Directions - Musky Lake Campground
Musky Lake GPS coordinates: N46° 00.456’, W89° 36.557’