Sometimes, nature’s beauty is hiding in plain sight. In far northern Wisconsin, some visitors spend an entire vacation without stepping foot into Wisconsin’s largest state forest. They are missing out on an awesome experience. The Northern Highland American Legion State Forest is not exactly a secret – it blankets the Northwoods, surrounding communities and it flanks rural highways. But if you lace up the hiking shoes and experience one of the forest’s amazing trails you’ll discover a true Wisconsin treasure.

The Northern Highland American Legion State Forest is a vast area of public land that sprawls across three northern Wisconsin counties – Vilas, Oneida, and Iron.
Alltrails / Brad Levy
The state forest -- Wisconsin's largest -- covers 225,000 acres and it’s home to scores of glacial lakes and wild rivers and streams.
Alltrails / Meg Severa
If you drive through the Northwoods, you’ll never be far from the forest – it surrounds some of the most popular Northwoods tourist communities, like Minocqua.
Alltrails / Sevi Kirby

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But when you stroll on one of the forest trails, you’ll forget all about the bustle of town. The forest is teeming with wildlife – it’s filled with birds and wild creatures like whitetail deer.
Alltrails / Sevi Kirby
The forest is home to more than 900 glacial lakes that are popular with anglers and paddlers and those who just enjoy spectacular scenery!
Alltrails / Bob Small
There are miles of trails to explore in the park and if you're not up for a hike, it's laced with forest roads that will take you into the heart of the forest’s beauty.
Alltrails / Stephen S

Learn more about the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest on the state Department of Natural Resources website or visit one of the forest’s visitor centers, which are located at at Crystal and Clear lakes. While this is the largest state forest in Wisconsin, there are also thousands more acres to explore on other state lands. Here are some more wild places in Wisconsin to discover.

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Northern Highland–American Legion State Forest, 4125 County Highway M, Boulder Junction, WI 54512, USA