Established Camping
Lake Michigan Recreation Area
About
USDA Forest Service
Huron-Manistee National Forests
Overview
Lake Michigan Campground is perched on the shores of Lake Michigan, 15 miles south of Manistee. The area creates an incredible setting with a scenic overlook of the lake and a sandy swimming beach. This family campground provides an array of hiking and biking trails, plus swimming, fishing and kayaking.
Recreation
A hardwood forest gives way to a beautiful sandy beach at the shores of the lake with a playground for younger campers. Trout fishing in Lake Michigan is another big draw. Bird watchers delight in seeing unique species like the piping plover and prairie warbler. The Arrowhead Trail, a short loop trail created by Boy Scouts, forms a loop between the campground and the beach. A trailhead for the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is also within the recreation area.
Facilities
An amphitheater offers educational programs throughout the peak season. Other amenities include flush and vault toilets, beach access and an overlook deck. Campsites are equipped with picnic tables and pedestal grills. Group campsites can each accommodate a maximum of 50 guests.
Natural Features
The recreation area sits on the eastern banks of Lake Michigan along Porter Creek, due north of Hamlin Lake. As the second largest of the five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan provides stunning views and limitless options for water recreation. It covers a whopping 22,400 square miles and ranks as the fifth largest lake in the world. The Huron-Manistee National Forests encompass nearly a million acres of public protected land. Nearly 6,000 acres is wetlands that extend over the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Nearby Attractions
The nearby Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area has abundant trails for hiking and backpacking.
Fee Info
Fees for the Group Sites are as follows, $55/night for up to 25 occupants and $72/night for 26-50 occupants.
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
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Big Rig Friendly
ScoutLake Michigan campground
Loved this place.
TravelerGreat Rustic Camping
We just got back from our first family camping trip and we had a blast! The campground was a 5 minute walk to the beach from our loop (oak) and we had a trail to it right in the back of our campsite. The hemlock and orchid loops were packed but the sites were fairly private for the amount of people there. Those two loops have toilets and are closest to the beach which is why it was busier. We stayed in site 66 in the oak loop which was perfect for us. The sites were large and spread out with a bear pole, picnic table, and fire ring with a grate. The oak loop has two well-maintained pit toilets (like the violet loop), but they stink up the whole campground for about 20 minutes after they’re cleaned out every few days. Our campsite was also on the arrowhead trail which gave us easy access to Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness where we hiked for a few hours one day (trails were not too busy, more backpackers than hikers). Overall, we had a great experience and look forward to coming back later this summer.
GuideStunning sunsets!
We didn’t have reservations but took a chance on the first-come sites and are we ever glad we did! The dunes were amazing! A short walk from the camping loops, the dunes open to the amazing shore of Lake Michigan. Take a stroll on the sandy beaches or wade into the sandy-bottom cool waters of the lake. The sites-loop circles around flush toilets and running water (no showers though). Great for strolling with the dog or riding bikes.
Location
Lake Michigan Recreation Area is located in Michigan
Directions
From the north, take US-31 south 10 miles from its junction with M-55 in Manistee, then right on Forest Trail Road (FS 5629) for 8 miles to the site. From the south, take US-31 north 11.5 miles from its junction with US-10 at Scottville, then left onto Forest Trail Road (FS 5629) for 8 miles the site.
Address
LOWER PENNISULA
MI
Coordinates
44.1191667 N
86.4275 W