If you're searching for the best lakes in Wisconsin, you've got plenty to select from. After all, our state is home to a whopping 15,000 lakes, so you could spend a lifetime here and never see them all. The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest holds some real treasures, though -- including dozens of gorgeous bodies of water. The forest sprawls across a huge swath of Northern Wisconsin, an area that was covered by glaciers thousands of years ago. While the glaciers are long gone, they left something special behind: scores of pristine lakes that are simply beautiful. Here’s what you need to know about this special state forest that's filled with some of the best lakes in Wisconsin.

The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is vast, covering 225,000 acres in Vilas, Oneida, and Iron Counties. It’s about four hours northeast of Minneapolis and four hours north of Madison, so be sure to plot your route accordingly.

The forest holds a whopping 900 lakes that are popular for swimming, boating, canoeing, and angling. No matter how you opt to spend your time here, you'll be impressed.

There are so many lakes here, it’s easy to pass a dozen or more on a road trip through the area. The landscape is literally dotted with lakes. Talk about a nature enthusiast's dream come true.

If you like solitude, you might want to just spend some time relaxing on a lake that’s undisturbed and uncrowded.

Depending on the lake and the day, you might even have the entire lake to yourself! One favorite among visitors is Clear Lake Picnic Area.

Campers can find sites right on the shores of some of these lakes, including Plum Lake and Carrol Lake. If you would like an adventure, some sites can only be accessed by boat.

If you’re into fishing, these forest lakes certainly won’t disappoint. These lakes have produced plenty of trophies over the years. Top sites for fishing include Big Lake Campground and East Star Lake.

No matter what brings you to the lovely lakes of Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, you'll certainly find yourself enamored in no time at all.

A vehicle admission sticker is required for all family campgrounds and posted fee beach and picnic areas. You can pick up maps and a printed newspaper about the forest at visitor stations that are located at Clear and Crystal Lakes. Learn more about the forest by checking out the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website. We know we've only highlighted a few of the best lakes in Wisconsin, so we want to hear from you. Share your recommendations by leaving a Facebook comment or by filling out our official nomination form.

If you’re on the lookout for another outdoor excursion, read about some of the best waterfront hikes in Wisconsin.