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Avery Lake State Forest Campground

5 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Low-key and largely uncrowded, Avery Lake State Forest Campground sits within the Atlanta State Forest Area of northern Michigan, drawing campers who want direct access to a lake without the overhead of a developed park. The sites are large and wooded, set among trees that block sightlines between neighbors, and the lake itself has a boat launch within the campground. Several walk-in sites provide beach access, while the rest sit back from the water. Reviewers consistently note that the campground rarely fills up, even on summer weekends.

Avery Lake has a handful of islands visible from shore, and at least one of those islands holds a designated campsite, making it a draw for canoeists and kayakers. Anglers also use the lake regularly. There are no busy roads nearby, which keeps ambient noise low. One reviewer notes there are "[a lot] of state forest roads to explore around here," and those gravel routes give the area a remote feel even though the campground is accessible to rigs up to 40 feet. Cell coverage is workable; one camper reported three bars of service.

Facilities are rustic but functional. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Vault toilets are on-site and have been described as clean, and drinking water is available. The campground is ADA accessible and alcohol is permitted. At $15 per night with a season running April 15 through November 30, it fits well into a broader northern Michigan itinerary. Campers looking for places to camp near Atlanta will find this one of the more low-traffic options in the region. The nearby Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground sits less than a mile to the southwest for those who want a second base in the area.

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Map & DirectionsAvery Lake State Forest Campground is located in Michigan near Atlanta

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

Take Avery Lake Road, off of County Road 612, to state forest campground.

Coordinates

44.9317439 N
84.18701475 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 8/22/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 8 users
    Last on 8/22/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

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Reviews5 Camper Reviews - Avery Lake State Forest Campground

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5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited this quiet lakefront campground for its peaceful atmosphere and lack of crowds. Many mentioned the large wooded sites with lake views and clean facilities including vault toilets and boat launch.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2024

No lake sites

Good campground on a nice fishing lake. Large wooded sites but none that have lake access unfortunately

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2021

Not busy

This place rarely gets busy. Nice sites with great views of Avery lake. Clean privy, cold water. Quiet. Alot of state forest roads to explore around here

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Sep. 3, 2019

Little Rustic Campground

This place was really nice and not very busy. It’s on a beautiful lake that is great for swimming and boating. It has a few walk in sites that have beach access. All sites include picnic table and fire pit. Shared rustic vault toilets available. There is a nice boat launch located within the campground as well.

  • Review photo of Avery Lake State Forest Campground by Kate K., September 3, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

Rustic camping beautiful lake

very quiet low key campground. Not to busy. The lake is amazing with several islands to explore and one of the islands has a campsite. No busy roads near by so you really feel like you’re deep in the woods.

Showing results 1-5 of 5 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Avery Lake State Forest Campground?

Avery Lake State Forest Campground offers basic rustic amenities. Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table and fire pit. The campground features shared vault toilets (outhouses) and access to cold water. There's a boat launch located within the campground for easy lake access. While the amenities are minimal, the campground provides the essentials for a true wilderness experience with clean facilities in a quiet setting. Cell service is available at the campground with some visitors reporting good coverage (3 bars).

Is Avery Lake State Forest Campground part of a larger forest recreation area?

Yes, Avery Lake State Forest Campground is part of Michigan's extensive state forest system. The campground is surrounded by state forest lands with numerous forest roads available for exploration. This connection to the broader state forest provides visitors with expanded recreational opportunities beyond just the campground and lake. The area offers a genuine wilderness experience while still being accessible. Visitors looking to extend their adventure beyond the campground will find plenty of forest land to explore in the vicinity.

Where is Avery Lake State Forest Campground located in Michigan?

Avery Lake State Forest Campground is located in northern Michigan near Atlanta, MI. The campground sits directly on Avery Lake, surrounded by wooded state forest land. Its remote setting away from busy roads creates a genuine wilderness experience, making campers feel like they're deep in the woods. The location offers privacy and tranquility while still being accessible for visitors exploring Michigan's northern forests.

What recreational activities can visitors enjoy at Avery Lake?

Avery Lake offers excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. The lake features multiple islands to explore, with one island even having its own campsite. Fishing is popular, with the lake known for good catches. Visitors can launch boats from the campground's boat launch. Beyond water activities, the surrounding area has numerous state forest roads perfect for exploration and hiking. The campground's quiet atmosphere also makes it ideal for nature observation, photography, and stargazing.

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