Bear Lake Campsite in Hiawatha National Forest is surrounded by forested terrain and offers access to Bear Lake. The area experiences temperatures ranging from lows in the 20s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 80s Fahrenheit in summer. Nearby attractions include Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan's largest freshwater spring.
Description
Overview
The Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest offer a variety of camping experiences. Many are located on inland lakes in a rustic forest environment with no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience.
Recreation
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at the designated campsites located on the Hiawatha National Forest. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. There is a carry - in boat launch at the day use area on the south end of the lake. This is intended to prevent the overfishing of this excellent brook trout fishery, which is maintained by annual stocking. Swimming is marginal with a thin layer of sand covering a mucky bottom.
Facilities
There is NO drinking water available at these sites. There are NO toilets. Lake Name: Bear Lake Number of Sites: 1 Maximum Number of People per Sites: 8 Toilets: No Boat Access: Carry in ONLY Boat Access to the South of the site. There is a Boat Launch on the East side of the lake down FR 2633. Lake Size (acres): 21
Natural Features
The Bear Lake campsite is situated on the gorgeous 21- acre Bear Lake, high upon a hill overlooking the lake. The site is surrounded by spectacular paper birch, aspen and oak tree species.
Nearby Attractions
There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals. Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available five miles northeast on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake Area.
Contact Info
For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundBear Lake Campsite — Hiawatha National Forest is located in Michigan
Directions
From Cooks (about 12 miles west of Manistique or 24 miles east of Rapid River on US-2): drive north 4.4 miles on County Road 442 to CR 437. Turn left (north) on CR 437 and drive 8.7 miles to FR 2217. Turn left (northwest) on FR 2217 and drive 2.4 miles to FR 2696. Turn left (south) on 2696 and drive 0.5 mile to the campsite
Address
RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT
8181 US HWY 2
Rapid river, MI 49878
Coordinates
46.070556 N
86.498333 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/9/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 3/9/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 49 min from Green Bay, WI
- 3 hrs 9 min from Appleton, WI
- 4 hrs from Wausau, WI
- 4 hrs 14 min from Traverse City, MI
