Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest

Established in 1925 to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish rivers, the Northern Highland-American Legion (NH-AL) State Forest occupies more than 225,000 acres in Vilas, Oneida and Iron counties. The NH-AL State Forest is important to many people because it has the unique ability to meet many different needs.

Current Conditions

News & Info

Visitor newsletter [PDF, 8.5MB - large file]
Out-of-State Firewood
Fall campground closures due to budget cuts

State Forest Map [PDF, 790KB]

Directions to the forest

Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
Trout Lake Forestry Headquarters
4125 Cty Hwy M
Boulder Junction, WI 54512

Forestry information:
(715) 385-2727; Marci Jahns

Recreation:
(715) 542-3923; Kim Krawczyk
(715) 542-2397 - Fax

Crystal Lake Ranger Station:
(715) 542-3923

Clear Lake Ranger Station:
(715) 356-3668

Superintendent:
Steve Petersen
8770 Hwy J
Woodruff WI 54568
(715) 358-9225 - Phone
(715) 358-2352 - Fax

The NH-AL State Forest provides employment and supports the economic well-being of rural and urban communities alike through the production of forest products we use daily, and recreation and tourism generated by the property's fantastic forests and lakes.

The forest also offers a diverse array of recreational opportunities, such as camping, canoeing, hiking, bird watching, snowmobiling, biking and hunting, as well as the chance to simply sit quietly and enjoy its natural beauty. In addition, the forest cleans our air and water, provides habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, and helps us sustain our quality of life.

Saturday, March 6, 2010
Candlelight Ski - Hike - Snowshoe. Enchanting wooded trails and warm, cozy fires. Parts of the Raven trail system will be lit by hundreds of flickering candles. Enjoy a 1.5- mile and a 3-mile loop for skiing and a 1-mile loop for hiking and snowshoeing. Refreshments, including hot chocolate and apple cider, will be served. The Clear Lake Ranger Station is open and heated, and there are two warming fires: one at the start/finish and one at the halfway point warming hut on the 3-mile loop. Sorry, no pets are allowed on the ski-trail portions. Meet at the Clear Lake Ranger Station in Woodruff. 6-9 p.m.

To protect our parks and forests from firewood hitch hikers, the Wisconsin DNR has created a permanent rule which prohibits bringing firewood onto any DNR property from more than 50 miles away or from outside of Wisconsin.