For Wisconsin locals seeking a truly serene and family-friendly camping experience amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Northwoods, Buffalo Lake Campground near Lake Tomahawk is an absolute gem. Nestled within the sprawling Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, this campground offers a peaceful lakeside retreat where tranquility and natural beauty take center stage. If your ideal getaway involves quiet mornings by the water, leisurely swims on a beautiful sandy beach, and evenings under a canopy of stars, then Buffalo Lake Campground is poised to become your favorite annual tradition.
What truly sets Buffalo Lake Campground apart is its remarkable ability to blend rustic charm with impeccable cleanliness and a welcoming atmosphere. Visitors consistently describe it as "very beautiful" and praise the "super friendly" camp host/manager who "definitely keeps things as clean as possible." Even for those who might typically shy away from pit toilets, the ones at Buffalo Lake are highlighted as "some of the cleanest...ever had to use," a testament to the dedication to guest comfort. This commitment to maintenance ensures a pleasant and worry-free stay for all.
The campground fosters a "cute, family-friendly, quiet" environment, making it ideal for creating cherished memories with loved ones. Its location on Buffalo Lake provides excellent opportunities for swimming on a "great beach" and enjoying various paddle sports. While it offers a secluded feel, it remains conveniently "close enough to Woodruff or St. Germain for groceries/ice/coffee, etc.," striking a perfect balance between wilderness immersion and accessibility to essential amenities. This article will delve deeper into the unique features, advantageous location, and essential services that make Buffalo Lake Campground a highly recommended choice for Wisconsin residents looking for their next peaceful and memorable outdoor adventure.
Buffalo Lake Campground is strategically located at 8447, 8549 Buffalo Lake Rd, Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539, USA. This places it in the southern portion of the vast and popular Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, a jewel of Wisconsin's Northwoods. The campground itself is situated on the east shore of Buffalo Lake, a picturesque 105-acre lake known for its serene environment and excellent fishing.
Access to Buffalo Lake Campground is straightforward, typically via well-maintained county roads, ensuring a smooth drive for campers with various setups. The campground roads themselves are paved, facilitating easy navigation within the park. While offering a quiet, natural setting, it remains conveniently connected to essential services and recreational opportunities. The reviews highlight its proximity to larger Northwoods communities: it's "close enough to Woodruff or St. Germain for groceries/ice/coffee, etc." Minocqua is also just minutes away by car (around 7 miles), offering a broader range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. Lake Tomahawk village, also about 7 miles away, provides additional local conveniences including a laundromat, gas, and supplies.
The surrounding area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. A lakeshore trail starts directly at the campground and circles the north shore of Buffalo Lake, offering scenic views perfect for hiking. For silent sports enthusiasts, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest provides abundant opportunities, including extensive hiking trails, nature trails, paddle routes, and access to over 52 miles of paved bicycle paths, such as those on Highway J which connects to St. Germain and Woodruff. The easy access to these various activities makes Buffalo Lake Campground an excellent basecamp for exploring the diverse landscapes and recreational offerings of northern Wisconsin.
Address: 8447, 8549 Buffalo Lake Rd, Lake Tomahawk, WI 54539, USA (Also associated with 8770 County Road J, Woodruff, WI 54568 for mapping purposes, as it's on Highway J.)
Reservations: 1-888-947-2757 (Wisconsin DNR Reservation System)
General Information (Wisconsin DNR Clear Lake Visitor Station for Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest): 715-356-3668
For Wisconsin locals, Buffalo Lake Campground near Lake Tomahawk is an ideal choice for a quintessential Northwoods camping experience, offering a perfect blend of tranquility, natural beauty, and family-friendly amenities right in our backyard. Its prime location within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest means easy access to our state's incredible public lands, making weekend trips or longer vacations a breeze. The campground's reputation for being "very beautiful" and "quiet" ensures a genuine escape from the daily grind, allowing you to truly relax amidst tall pines and hardwoods.
A significant highlight that makes it particularly suitable for residents is the exceptional cleanliness, even of the pit toilets, which consistently receives high praise. This attention to detail reflects a commitment to guest comfort that enhances the rustic camping experience. The "super friendly" camp host adds a welcoming touch, making every visitor feel at home. For families, the "cute, family-friendly" atmosphere and the "great beach for swimming" on Buffalo Lake provide endless opportunities for children to play and adults to relax by the water, fostering cherished memories.
Furthermore, the campground's strategic position between Minocqua, Woodruff, and St. Germain offers the best of both worlds: serene lakeside camping combined with convenient access to essential amenities. You can quickly run into town for groceries, ice, or a coffee, ensuring that all your needs are met without disrupting your wilderness immersion. The non-electric sites encourage a deeper connection with nature, while the option to use generators during specific hours offers flexibility for those who need it. The availability of a boat landing and access to hiking and biking trails means that whether you're into fishing, paddling, or exploring on foot or bike, there's always an activity to enjoy.
In conclusion, Buffalo Lake Campground is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it's a meticulously cared-for haven that caters to the diverse needs of Wisconsin's outdoor enthusiasts. Its quiet, family-friendly ambiance, beautiful lakeside setting, and well-maintained facilities make it an affordable and highly recommended destination for locals seeking to embrace the natural splendor of our state. It's truly a place you'll want to make an annual tradition, creating lasting memories in the heart of the Northwoods.
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Picnic tables
Public restroom
Restroom
Running water
Tent sites
Good for kids
On-site parking
Dogs allowed
We've stayed here multiple times now. It's very beautiful! The camp host/manager is super friendly and definitely keeps things as clean as possible. While pit toilets aren't everyone's preference, I will say that these were some of the cleanest pit toilets I've ever had to use. Highly recommend this campground
Would be 5 stars if they had flushable toilets (only pit toilets). But otherwise, cute, family-friendly, quiet campground. Great beach for swimming. Close enough to Woodruff or St. Germain for groceries/ice/coffee, etc.
One of the nicer swimming beaches on the Northern Highland American Legion state forest, Buffalo Lake has very clear water and a nice sand bottom. The beach area also makes a great place to watch the stars on a clear night. This property features many desirable walk-in sites along with plenty of fairly private drive-in sites. Over a dozen sites have a nice view of the lake, though all sites are slightly up a hill from the water. In some places there is a mesh fence between the campsites and the lake to help with erosion control.
We had just pulled into a campsite and started a fire. Hadn't been 5 min and this clown on an electric bike pulls up and asked if I had a reservation. I politely told him I did not but I would get one. He proceeded to tell me that we couldn't be on the premises without a reservation. Didn't even give me a chance to rebutt his prior statement. He was so kind to tell me that they had a picnic area over the hill. I replied that we had been to the picnic area and it didn't have a cooking apparatus for us to cook on. He again repeated that without reservations we had to go. I didn't tell him we have veterans Park passes which gets us into any state park. So we finished cooking our food and packed up, never to return to Buffalo Lake Campground. Also the picnic area has seen better days. If bike guys reads this, clean up and repair your "picnic" area. Looks more like the trash receptacle. Not that I'll ever see it again.
What a blast!! Super fun!!! Beach was warm and clean. Boat landing with dock. Swimming area separate from the boat launch. Pets allowed, Sites were wooded. Some sites very small, others big enough for a camper and boat trailer. They have some double sites for group camping. Bathrooms smelled super bad by evening...GROSS. Generator hours 10a-5p. Kids loved fishing and bike riding.