Within Hiawatha National Forest, Bear Lake Campsite provides a drive-in camping experience with water and sewer hookups for RVs up to 24 feet. The US Forest Service manages this forested location near both river and lake access, making it suitable for anglers and campers who need full hookups at $8 per night.
Reservations are available for this pet-friendly campground, which allows campfires and fishing activities. The nearby Carr Lake Campsite — Hiawatha National Forest offers an alternative less than a mile northwest for campers preferring different amenities.
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
Map & DirectionsBear Lake Campsite is located in Michigan near Manistique
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-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/7/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/7/26
- 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
