Established Camping
Colwell Lake Campground
About
National Forest
Hiawatha National Forest
Overview
Colwell Lake Campground is situated on Colwell Lake in the center of Michigan's Hiawatha National Forest. Guests of all ages can enjoy nature and the outdoors in this picturesque setting. The campground has much to offer in terms of recreation, such as swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking, and can accommodate families, individuals, small groups, RV and tent campers with several amenities.
Recreation
With an excellent swimming beach, boat access and an accessible fishing pier, Colwell Lake has plenty to offer families and anglers. Largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, perch and bluegill are all available in the lake. The facility also provides a leisurely 2 mile hiking and snowshoeing trail.
Facilities
The campground consists of many individual family sites, as well as a group site that can hold 24 people and two tent-only sites along the lake shore. Sites are equipped with campfire rings, lantern posts and tent pads, with vault toilets and drinking water located throughout the facility. A picnic area sits adjacent to the sandy swimming beach. Pedestal grills and tables for individual families or small groups are provided. Boaters will find a boat ramp and launching pier near the campground entrance. There is adequate space for parking and a trailer turn-around.
Natural Features
The campground is situated on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the eastern shore of the 145-acre Colwell Lake. The area is forested with a variety of deciduous and conifer trees, and some campsites overlook the water.
Nearby Attractions
Big Island, Fish and Straits lakes are all within 25 miles of the campground.
Fee Info
Location
Colwell Lake Campground is located in Michigan
Directions
From Manistique, Michigan, drive north 25 miles on State Route 94 to Forest Road 2246. Turn right (east) and drive 0.5 miles to the campground road.
Address
P.O. Box 171
Munising, MI 49862
Coordinates
46.2216667 N
86.4375 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Beach front campsites
Most of the campsites here need to be reserved-there are only a handful of first come. Whichever site you get there is beach front access with an actual sandy beach! Very little boat traffic, no homes on this lake, an excellent biking/hiking trail around the lake too. Bathrooms were cleaned daily and camp hosts were very friendly. Cell service is almost non existent and quite a few generators running.
Absolutely Gorgeous Stay
Well set up campground with about 25 sites on a loop with maybe 30 sites for $22/night. Each site on the lake side of the loop has their own access to a path along the lake and a spot to easily tie off a boat. There are paths off the loop so that campers on the other side can access the lake path and the beach. There are also a handfull of walk in sites that I think are free, those have private lake access walks too! Toilets are clean and nicely spaced out, as is water. There is a boat launch before turning left into the camping area and to the right, a hiking trail. The ONE thing I have to say is that the mosquitos came in droves and were absolutely ravenous. We aren't sure if they fog at this place but if not, they most certainly should, at least around spring hatch time. These things were unphased by a number of citronella candles, obscene amounts of bug spray.. Cooking anything was awful.. and they drove all 4 of my brood to the brink of madness at some point or another. However, it is pretty centrally located to a number of things yo do and areas to visit! It's about 35 minutes from camp to Manistique and Kitch-Iti-Kipi. About 65 minutes to Grand Marais and some waterfalls. And about 25 minutes to Munising or Pictured Rocks and Miner's Beach, with a bunch of waterfalls along the way. Most waterfalls are easily accessed just off the road, but Sable Falls does have 168 stairs.
Quick Stop
Stopped on our way up to Houghton but would definitely go back for an extended stay. Super spaced out and deep sites, beautiful late, clean bathrooms.
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