At $8 per night (half that with an Interagency Pass), Leg Lake Campsites sits within Hiawatha National Forest along a creek corridor in the Upper Peninsula near Rapid River, Michigan. The approach is straightforward: a paved road off Route 101, slightly winding but easy to navigate, with drive-in access for RVs up to 32 feet. Reservations are available, which is worth considering since the campground can fill up on summer weekends.
The layout is essentially an open field with a row of sites on either side of a central driveway. There is no defined boundary between sites and very little privacy. Trees ring the perimeter, but the interior gets full sun throughout the day, making it a reasonable setup for solar charging or stargazing after dark. A road runs along one edge of the campground, and reviewers note the creek-side sites tend to see less traffic noise. Cell service is weak to nonexistent here. Vault toilets, water spigots, and dumpsters are on-site, and a camp host sells firewood. Laura M. notes the vault toilets are "clean but strong smell if you have a site down-wind."
Pets are allowed, and the campground tends to draw visitors with dogs. Multiple reviewers flagged off-leash dogs as a recurring issue. Anglers and those wanting water access should know the creek entry points are outside the campground boundary or through neighboring sites. For campers traveling with dogs who want a more contained setup, dog-friendly campgrounds near Hiawatha National Forest include additional options across the forest. Minerva Lake Campsite — Hiawatha National Forest, about 1.1 miles north, is worth considering for a different configuration.
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 these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Leg Lake has good fishing for northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappies and bluegills. Some yellow perch and bullheads may be caught. There is an unimproved boat access located adjacent to site 2. It is intended for day use only. Only small boats and trailers are recommended at this access.
Facilities
There is NO drinking water available at these sites. There is a primitive toilet located at site 1. Lake Name: Leg Lake Number of Sites: 2 Max Number of People Per Site: Site 1 (24), Site 2 (8) Toilets: Yes at site 1 Boat Access: Back-In at site 2 Lake Size (acres): 40
Natural Features
There are two campsites located on Leg Lake. These sites lie about 0.25 miles west of County Road 437 between Forest Roads 2697 and 2438. Each of these has specific features as detailed below: Site 1 is located on the west side of the lake. It is a very large semi-open area that would be suitable for group camping or family gatherings with trailers. Site 2 is a small, wooded area located on the east side of the lake. This site is suitable for one family.
Nearby Attractions
There is 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. Gasoline, groceries, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available approximately two miles south 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 & DirectionsLeg Lake Campsites 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 13.3 miles to FR 2697. Turn left (west) and drive to site 2 or To get to site 1: turn left (west) off CR 437 at about 13.2 miles on FR 2438 and drive 0.7 mile to reach site 1.
Address
RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT
8181 US HWY 2
Rapid river, MI 49878
Coordinates
46.128889 N
86.4825 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- 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
- Pull-Through Sites
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 52 min from Green Bay, WI
- 3 hrs 12 min from Appleton, WI
- 4 hrs 4 min from Wausau, WI
- 4 hrs 8 min from Traverse City, MI
