Big Lake State Forest Campground

At $15 per night, Big Lake State Forest Campground gives access to a no-frills Michigan state forest site on the water, but the entrance road demands attention before you commit. Reviewers consistently flag large flooded potholes along the access track, and the route is not recommended for low-clearance or two-wheel-drive vehicles. RVs are limited to 20 feet. The long, winding drive in does filter out casual visitors, and the campground tends to stay quiet as a result.

Sites are spacious, with enough distance between most of them to provide reasonable privacy. A few cluster together, which works well for groups arriving in multiple vehicles. A small craft launch sits within the campground, giving paddlers and anglers direct access to Big Lake, and a small beach is reachable by going all the way to the boat launch area. The North Country Trail runs through this part of the Upper Peninsula, making the campground a workable staging point for section hikes. Sandhill cranes have been noted by recent visitors as a regular morning presence.

Facilities are basic: vault toilets and a hand-operated well pump for drinking water. No showers. One thing worth knowing is that nearby logging has thinned the tree cover in the surrounding area, which affects the forested character some campers expect. Cell service is listed as available. Campers planning a resupply will find a gas station and café within roughly ten miles back on the main highway. Campers wanting more options in the region can also look at Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness or browse campsites near Covington for additional sites in the area.