Arbutus Lake State Forest Campground

Campground is beautiful with access to the very clean lake and sandy beach, my pups loved going swimming. There is potable water via an old school hand pump and vault toilets and a dumpster. Sites have plenty of shade but Starlink is getting excellent reception anyways. Generators are permitted and it's about 20 min from Traverse City. There are signs that note you must register and pay online before setting up camp so this is technically not first come first serve. Excellent place to stay.

Found a great site with room for neighbors, but nobody there (9/6-9/8)

Bathrooms are in need of some TLC, as expected, but everything is well spaced out and fairly private.

I use T-Mobile and actually have almost full 5G out here, so that’s a plus.

Campsites are clean, restrooms are within a few minute walk, and a water pump is available. A couple walk-to sites are difficult to make the trips up and down the stairs if you have a lot of gear…but they are secluded and peaceful. I have an inflatable boat, and was able to beach it at our campsite. Overall, a very nice camping experience!

Great lake for fishing and paddling.  Lake is made of 5 lobes, high speed boating is restricted on some of them.

During the height of the season place can be filled with loud and happy campers perhaps a little too happy.

The Lake gets 5 stars, so if you’re going to kayak or boat, you’ll love it. The campground is filthy. Took me 1/2 hour to clean up the trash and cigarette butts before I could set up my tent. I kept smelling a horrible smell, then realized the dumpster was across the road wafting to my campsite, my mistake for picking this site. The campers next to me are cutting through my site (right in front of my tent) to go to the beach. Someone stole my fire wood and the neighbor ran their generator all night. Now mom has been screaming and swearing at her kids to wake up for over an hour. Starting at 7am. Now they’re up, screaming and blowing whistles. Never again.

I’ve camped here so many times throughout my life—it’s my go to when I can’t think of somewhere to camp. It’s situated on Arbutus Lake in Traverse City, MI (my hometown). It’s a calm lake with easy same-day registration for camping. It’s pretty rustic, but close to home for me, so that’s not a big deal at all (i.e. showers). Sites are first come, first served. Water is available from a working well and there are non-flushable toilets available. Dirt roads. A few sites are right on the water! It’s a nice, cozy, favorite place to camp.