North Trout Lake campground
Boulder Junction, Wisconsin · on Trout Lake · Northern Highland State Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Winter
About North Trout Lake campground
North Trout Lake Campground is a 48-site rustic Wisconsin DNR campground on the northeast corner/north basin of Trout Lake within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, about 3.5 miles south of Boulder Junction. The DNR and state tourism site both describe the lake as offering good swimming, with a small sandy beach near the campground's boat landing.
The campground sits among tall red and white pines on the northeast shore of Trout Lake, a 3,816-to-3,864-acre lake (sources vary slightly on acreage) that is effectively two lake basins joined by a narrow channel, within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest's northwoods lake country.
Swimming at North Trout Lake campground
The DNR and Travel Wisconsin both describe the lake as offering 'good swimming' alongside excellent fishing and boating. A small sandy swimming beach is located at the south end of the campground near the public boat landing; the lake bottom nearby is a mix of sand, gravel, rock, and some muck, and the water is described as crystal-clear. This reads as a casual, campground-adjacent swim spot suited to campers and day users rather than a destination swimming hole.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located on the northeast shore of Trout Lake in the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, approximately 3.5 miles south of Boulder Junction, Wisconsin, off Statehouse/Trout Lake area roads reachable via Halverson Lane.
Parking: A large paved parking lot with trailer parking is available at the adjacent public boat landing; campsite parking is at individual sites.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed to reach the water. The sandy swim beach is a short walk from the campground's paved boat-landing parking lot, at the south end of the campground next to the boat launch. (A separate ~1-mile nature trail with boardwalks exists elsewhere in the campground but is not the route to the beach.)
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Small sandy beach with a sand/gravel/rock (some muck) bottom gives kids an easy, gently-shelving entry, and DNR/state tourism sources both call it 'good swimming.' But the beach sits immediately next to the campground's public boat landing, so boat-launch traffic and trailer parking are close by, worth supervising kids near the landing rather than treating it as an isolated, boat-free swim area.
Parking
Paid
Large paved parking lot with a paved boat ramp and launch pier at the public boat landing next to the swim beach; individual campsites have their own parking. A Wisconsin State Park & Forest Vehicle Admission Sticker (daily or annual) is required for day use of the lot; exact daily sticker price not stated on the sources checked.
Restrooms
Yes
Three vault toilet buildings distributed through the campground, all ADA accessible (per DNR and Travel Wisconsin listings); no showers on site.
Water clarity
Clear
A 2024 trail-guide write-up (wisconsintrailguide.com) describes 'crystal-clear waters' at the beach, with a lake bottom mix of sand, gravel, rock, and some muck. No conflicting visitor reports were found.
Hours
Campground/day-use season runs April 30 through November 1; the access road is not plowed in winter. No separate daily gate hours were found, though campers are required to be finished setting up by 11:00 pm.
On the water
Travel Wisconsin's listing explicitly permits 'Boating (motorized), Canoeing & kayaking' on Trout Lake, and the campground has its own paved boat launch/ramp/pier. No horsepower limits, no-wake zone, or other watercraft restrictions specific to this lake were found in the sources checked, so left null rather than guessed.
Rentals nearby
Sea-Doo Spark Trixx jet skis (2-passenger and 3-passenger models), delivered to renters in the Boulder Junction area
Prices: From $242.00/day (2-passenger) and $270.00/day (3-passenger)
Boulder Junction, WI (exact street address not published; phone 715-892-7570) · 7 days a week, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Schauss Woodworking
Boat, motor, canoe, and kayak rentals by the day or week (alongside its woodworking/general store business)
10305 Main Street, Boulder Junction, WI 54512 (phone 715-385-2434), about 5 miles from the campground · Daily, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
North Trout Lake campground: FAQ
Does North Trout Lake campground charge a fee?
A Wisconsin State Park & Forest Vehicle Admission Sticker (daily or annual) is required for day use; overnight camping requires a reservation/camping fee via wisconsin.goingtocamp.com (or 1-888-947-2757); firewood is sold separately.
Is North Trout Lake campground kid friendly?
Small sandy beach with a sand/gravel/rock (some muck) bottom gives kids an easy, gently-shelving entry, and DNR/state tourism sources both call it 'good swimming.' But the beach sits immediately next to the campground's public boat landing, so boat-launch traffic and trailer parking are close by, worth supervising kids near the landing rather than treating it as an isolated, boat-free swim area.
Do I need to hike to reach North Trout Lake campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for North Trout Lake campground?
Large paved parking lot with a paved boat ramp and launch pier at the public boat landing next to the swim beach; individual campsites have their own parking. A Wisconsin State Park & Forest Vehicle Admission Sticker (daily or annual) is required for day use of the lot; exact daily sticker price not stated on the sources checked.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to North Trout Lake campground?
Travel Wisconsin's listing explicitly permits 'Boating (motorized), Canoeing & kayaking' on Trout Lake, and the campground has its own paved boat launch/ramp/pier. No horsepower limits, no-wake zone, or other watercraft restrictions specific to this lake were found in the sources checked, so left null rather than guessed.
When is the best time to visit North Trout Lake campground?
Campground season runs April 30 through November 1; the access road is not plowed in winter, so use is effectively limited to snow-free months.
What are the rules at North Trout Lake campground?
Camping reservations required (bookable same-day up to 11 months ahead); vehicle admission sticker required; no electric hookups or showers on site; per Hipcamp, pets are not permitted at this location.
What water body is North Trout Lake campground on?
North Trout Lake campground is on Trout Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
