Upper Gresham Lake - North Highland/Amer Legion State Forest

The early morning mist lingers just above Upper Gresham Lake’s glassy surface, the quiet punctuated only by the rhythmic tapping of woodpeckers echoing through towering maples, birches, and aspens. Leaves drift lazily across County Highway M, their colors blazing in fiery reds and golds, carpeting the forest floor and swirling in the crisp air. The gentle hum of paddles slicing through the water blends with distant calls of loons diving beneath the lake’s calm expanse. This stretch of North Highland State Forest offers a serene start to the day, inviting campers to breathe deeply and slow down.

Exploring beyond the campsite, the stone lake route weaves along winding roads framed by dense hardwoods, their branches arching overhead in a natural cathedral. Trails here invite hikers to wander amid the whispers of the forest, though subtle and unmarked, they let you tread quietly, alert for the flash of a Pileated Woodpecker or the soft rustle of small wildlife. Canoes and kayaks glide across the electric motor-only lake, skimming past families enjoying the small sandy beach where children splash and swim under watchful eyes. Fishing lines cast here often yield bluegill and perch, while the occasional bass breaks the surface, hinting at a lively underwater world.

The campground itself focuses on simplicity and connection. Sites are modest and tucked among mature trees, offering pockets of privacy without the clutter of bustling amenities. Electricity hums quietly at each spot, supporting campers’ needs without overwhelming the natural ambiance. Showers aren’t on-site, but a short ten-minute drive to Clear Lake campgrounds provides hot water and a chance to freshen up after a day outdoors. As evening settles, loon families take center stage, their haunting calls and fish-feeding rituals unfolding as twilight deepens. The air cools, and the forest’s nocturnal chorus rises, wrapping the campground in a peaceful, familiar embrace.

Those who return to Upper Gresham Lake know it as a place to leave behind distractions—no loud engines, no crowded beaches—just the soothing pulse of forest and water, the crackle of a campfire, and the steady companionship of loons calling across the darkening lake. It’s the kind of quiet that lingers long after the tent flaps close, drawing visitors back to this tranquil corner of Boulder Junction again and again.