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Water

Established Camping

Colwell Lake Campground

About

National Forest

Hiawatha National Forest

Overview

Colwell Lake Campground is situated on Colwell Lake in the center of Michigan's Hiawatha National Forest. Guests of all ages can enjoy nature and the outdoors in this picturesque setting. The campground has much to offer in terms of recreation, such as swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking, and can accommodate families, individuals, small groups, RV and tent campers with several amenities.

Recreation

With an excellent swimming beach, boat access and an accessible fishing pier, Colwell Lake has plenty to offer families and anglers. Largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, perch and bluegill are all available in the lake. The facility also provides a leisurely 2 mile hiking and snowshoeing trail.

Facilities

With an excellent swimming beach, boat access and an accessible fishing pier, Colwell Lake has plenty to offer families and anglers. Largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, perch and bluegill are all available in the lake. The facility also provides a leisurely 2 mile hiking and snowshoeing trail.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the eastern shore of the 145-acre Colwell Lake. The area is forested with a variety of deciduous and conifer trees, and some campsites overlook the water.

Nearby Attractions

Big Island, Fish and Straits lakes are all within 25 miles of the campground.

Fee Info

Discount only applies to base rate.<br><br>Note: A $4.00 per night electrical hookup fee applies to Electric sites.

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Location

Colwell Lake Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Manistique, Michigan, drive north 25 miles on State Route 94 to Forest Road 2246. Turn right (east) and drive 0.5 miles to the campground road.

Address

P.O. Box 171
Munising, MI 49862

Coordinates

46.2216667 N
86.4375 W

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Access

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

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Poor
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2023

Beach front campsites

Most of the campsites here need to be reserved-there are only a handful of first come. Whichever site you get there is beach front access with an actual sandy beach! Very little boat traffic, no homes on this lake, an excellent biking/hiking trail around the lake too. Bathrooms were cleaned daily and camp hosts were very friendly. Cell service is almost non existent and quite a few generators running.

Site27
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Nicole V., August 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Nicole V., August 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Nicole V., August 21, 2023
Reviewed May. 30, 2023

Absolutely Gorgeous Stay

Well set up campground with about 25 sites on a loop with maybe 30 sites for $22/night. Each site on the lake side of the loop has their own access to a path along the lake and a spot to easily tie off a boat. There are paths off the loop so that campers on the other side can access the lake path and the beach. There are also a handfull of walk in sites that I think are free, those have private lake access walks too! Toilets are clean and nicely spaced out, as is water. There is a boat launch before turning left into the camping area and to the right, a hiking trail. The ONE thing I have to say is that the mosquitos came in droves and were absolutely ravenous. We aren't sure if they fog at this place but if not, they most certainly should, at least around spring hatch time. These things were unphased by a number of citronella candles, obscene amounts of bug spray.. Cooking anything was awful.. and they drove all 4 of my brood to the brink of madness at some point or another. However, it is pretty centrally located to a number of things yo do and areas to visit! It's about 35 minutes from camp to Manistique and Kitch-Iti-Kipi. About 65 minutes to Grand Marais and some waterfalls. And about 25 minutes to Munising or Pictured Rocks and Miner's Beach, with a bunch of waterfalls along the way. Most waterfalls are easily accessed just off the road, but Sable Falls does have 168 stairs.

Site11
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2022

Quick Stop

Stopped on our way up to Houghton but would definitely go back for an extended stay. Super spaced out and deep sites, beautiful late, clean bathrooms.

Site5
Month of VisitOctober
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Christina A., September 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Christina A., September 23, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2021

UP MI camping

Nice smaller campground in the UP close to waterfalls and scenic beauty.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Bill M., September 23, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2021

One of the best

I should selfishly say this is a terrible campground with terrible sites and unfriendly host so that it might detour campers from this fantastic area. However, it would be a complete lie.

Site9 and 6
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 4, 2020

Quiet campground with a short hiking loop

Nice quiet campsite with privacy. We had the site next to the entrance so it was a little busy but not too bad. The loop around the lake was a nice walk to start the day.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Ben C., September 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Ben C., September 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Ben C., September 4, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 15, 2017

Perfect getaway

We were looking for a campsite that we could drive up to, but we ended up going with a walk up campsite, thanks to the camp host. It couldn't have been more perfect. We got the closest site, which is not a long walk. It was totally private, with a little private entrance to the lake. Very peaceful. Not far from Munising.

SiteSite 33
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Allison V., August 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Allison V., August 15, 2017
  • Review photo of Colwell Lake Campground by Allison V., August 15, 2017
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Colwell Lake Campground?

Camping at Colwell Lake Campground can cost between $60.00 and $70.00 depending on the site.

Does Colwell Lake Campground have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Colwell Lake Campground has 30 amp electric hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at Colwell Lake Campground?

Colwell Lake Campground allows vehicles up to 60 feet.

Are fires allowed at Colwell Lake Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Colwell Lake Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Colwell Lake Campground have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Colwell Lake Campground does not have wifi.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Colwell Lake Campground?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Colwell Lake Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Colwell Lake Campground, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Colwell Lake Campground?

There are 43 campsites at Colwell Lake Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts