Kayaking, paddle boarding, and lakeside camping are the main draws at Bob Lake Campground, a Forest Service site set within Ottawa National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Several sites sit directly on the water, giving paddlers easy access to launch without a formal boat ramp. A sandy beach lies a short walk to the east, and the Beaver Lodge Interpreted Trail System connects to the long-distance North Country Trail for hikers looking to cover more ground. Birders have reported sandhill cranes and other wildlife in the area.
Sites are spread apart and wooded, with picnic tables and fire rings at each. Vault toilets are on-site but may not be serviced daily. Cell service is essentially nonexistent here, so downloading maps and any other needed content before arriving is strongly recommended. The campground tends to see low occupancy, with multiple reviewers arriving to find only one or two other groups present, even on summer weekends.
The forest road into the campground narrows considerably as you get closer, and recent rain can leave muddy sections. One camper brought a 38-foot Class A RV and found the roads manageable except for the final quarter mile. Mosquitoes are a consistent presence, particularly in June and July, so pack accordingly. Courtney Lake Campground sits about 6 miles north if Bob Lake is full or the access road conditions are a concern. Reservations are available, and the season runs from Memorial Day through September.
Description
Bob Lake Campground located in Houghton County is 18 miles southeast of Ontonagon, MI, in the Ontonagon Ranger District. This campground features a single loop with 17 campsites which are spaced with natural vegetation for screening. Many of the sites are situated near the lake. These drive in sites can accommodate tents, trailers or motor homes. Each site offers a wood picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. The camping loop contains three vault toilets, one of which is accessible. Drinking water is provided by a hand pump which is located near the campground entrance. Adjacent to the campground are the Day Use Picnic area, a beach, a boat landing with a parking area and the trailhead to the 1.2 mile long Beaver Lodge Interpretive Trail. Bob Lake is a shallow lake with depths averaging 3 to 10 feet with deepest at 17 feet. Walleye, small mouth bass, and perch are to be had for fishermen from shore or boat.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBob Lake Campground is located in Michigan near Nisula
Directions
From Ontonagon, Mi., travel east on M38 for approximately 20 miles. Turn right (south) onto FH 16 and travel approximately 6 miles. Turn right (west) onto FR 1640 (Pori Road). Travel approximately 2 2 1/4 miles and turn left (south) on FR 1470. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn left onto FR 1478 and travel approximately 8/10 tenths of a mile to the campground.
Coordinates
46.66200044 N
88.91400082 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
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 35 min from Wausau, WI
- 3 hrs 7 min from Green Bay, WI
- 3 hrs 14 min from Duluth, MN
- 3 hrs 23 min from Appleton, WI
