Huron-Manistee National Forests is home to Mack Lake ORV Campground, a Forest Service site that accommodates both off-highway vehicle users and conventional campers near the shore of Mack Lake outside Mio. Despite the ORV designation, the campground runs notably quiet in practice. Motorized traffic on the lake tends to be light, with visitors reporting little more than the occasional pontoon boat passing through, even on holiday weekends.
Sites are large and spaced apart, and the layout is divided into two loops. The Beaver loop has a hand pump for water, while the Warbler loop has a spout near the camp host's site. Several sites sit directly on the lake, giving access to swimming, kayaking, and fishing without a long walk. The camp host keeps vault toilets clean and stocked, and firewood has been available on-site at times. No pets are permitted, and campers who have visited in warmer months report ticks as a real concern worth preparing for.
"Large sites some with water views," notes Robin R. in a five-star review. The campground is also within reach of other national forest camping in the region, including Wagner Lake (MI) — Huron Manistee National Forests to the southwest. At $15 per night with reservations available, the site fills up but rarely to capacity. Come prepared with tick repellent and check the access road conditions before arriving, as the approach can be rough.
Description
Overview
Mack Lake ORV Campground is the largest campground on the Mio Ranger District. Southeast of Mio, Mack Lake is 175-acres of shared private and federal ownership. An embedded day use area provides visitors with a picnic area as well as water access and a swimming area surrounded by buoys. With an ORV trailhead located within the campground, Mack Lake ORV Campground is a popular location for ORV trail riders.
Recreation
Water Activities: A day use area inside the Beaver Loop of Mack Lake ORV Campground is designed for picnicing and water activities such as beach play, swimming, fishing, and boating. Carry-in boat access is available through the day use area. Anglers can hope to catch sunfish, perch, and walleye. ORV Riding: Mack Lake ORV Campground is a popular location with ORV riders. With the trailhead for the Mack Lake Trail System starting in the campground, ORV riders can enjoy the section near Maltby Hills for easier trail riding or head to Bull Gap Hill Climb for a challenge. The trail is mostly on a 0 - 10% grade, with some short sections at a 30% grade
Facilities
The campground provides handpump wells for drinking water, several vault toilets, and trash collection services. The embedded day use area also provides visitors with picnic tables and grills. Campsites at Mack Lake have picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.
Natural Features
The 175-acre lake is surrounded by rolling jack pine plains and is a good location for wildlife viewing.
Contact Info
This location has limited staffing. Please call (989) 826-3252 for general information.
Charges & Cancellations
All reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMack Lake ORV Campground is located in Michigan near Mio
Directions
From Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Turn right and travel south on M-33 for 6 miles. Turn left and travel east on County Rd. 604 for 4 miles. Turn left and travel north on FR 4460 for 1 mile. Turn left and travel west on County Rd. 489 for 1 mile.
Coordinates
44.578778 N
84.064904 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Fires
Drive Time
- 1 hr 20 min from Bay City, MI
- 1 hr 30 min from Saginaw, MI
- 1 hr 31 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 39 min from Traverse City, MI
