Fisherman's Island State Park Campground

This is a beautiful park, with waterfront sites as well as wooded areas. Vault toilets, and pump for water, quiet and great rock beach.

This campground offers 80 sites only 14 sit on lake michigan. We weren't able to get one of those although the day of checkout we scoped the new empty ones they looked less spacious than the one we stayed at in the woods. But the view and lake access would have been worth the loss of space. Lots of bugs in the wooded area sites. They offer many vault toilets and some water pumps but the faults were some of the worst I've seen in awhile. All in all we would definitely stay again but only on a water site. You also can't beat the price at $20 a night.

So far this campground has been my favorite rustic campground. You can't beat the location because it is absolutely gorgeous right on Lake Michigan. Each site is secluded and there are about 10 sites that are directly on Lake Michigan. The beach is sandy with plenty of cool rocks for rock hunting. People complain of the concrete factory but I hardly noticed it.

The cement factory had me worried, but I barely noticed it after awhile. We stayed in the front loop, closest to the park entrance. You could hear the hum of the factory at night, but it didn’t drown out the experience. Most sites are fairly secluded, and the campground was quiet. Sites 2 and 3 don’t have much privacy between them, but we made do. Outhouses were some of the nicer ones I’ve used. The water station was down in the front loop, but there are a couple in the back you can use. Overall, I would recommend!

As good as it gets if u get a beachfront site, but the rest aren’t bad either. No electricity, so have solar ready. Nice trails down to the beach, fount Petosky stones there

We were fortunate enough to snag one of the drive through beach sites. It wasn’t very level but we were able to make it work. Found a good amount of petosky stones. It was secluded, except for a few people walking the beach to look for rocks. I didn’t expect the cement factory right down the shoreline so feel like it took away from the scenery but I don’t remember it being that loud from where we were.

Ah, so many great reviews on this place, so I went. To my surprise, a big concrete factory is right next to the campground. It made loud noises all day and night. Also it makes a constant loud vibration that never stopped. I can't believe not one single person mentioned this in their reviews. Will not be staying here again because of the loud noises from the factory. So many other campgrounds that are much quieter on the water.

Fisherman's Island State campground is an off grid experience. Well maintained sites some on the beach others in the woods. No electric or water hook ups. Outhouses are fairly well maintained. Hiking trails were great! You can find maps on AllTrails. Wonderful beach and swimming areas.

Enjoyed our brief stay here. Camped at one of the 15 beach sites. There’s an additional large beach at the end of the road which is a great place to swim and bring the dog. Camp sites along the beach are spacious, plenty of room to move around and jump in the lake or go rock hunting. Primitive campground without water, electric or dump station. Sunsets were great. Mosquitos almost non-existent at our site on the water. Hiking trail through the park. Easy biking through the campground. Nice area to paddle board or swim.

Private sites with rolling hills to separate the noise from other sites. 5 minute walk to the beach from nearly every site. Each site has a fire ring and table all in good condition. Since the foliage is thick, protect for bugs - run Thermacell. Since we use hot water on demand, the manual hand pump was a pain, but appreciated. I loved how the campground was 8 minutes to downtown Charlevoix which allowed us time to eat as a family and relax and watch the boats. I found a beautiful romantic stream at the far end of the south loop, just drive until the main road ends. Great hike!

Would go again.

Loved our stay here. The South campground was quiet and serene, only a short drive along Lake Michigan from the park entrance, past the north campground. Beach/lake access was a short walk from our campsite just across the dirt road, down a sandy path through the woods. Although the campground was fully booked during our weekend stay, I wouldn’t have noticed. No noise issues like others have mentioned. The site was clean and spacious with a ‘backyard’ of surrounding tall trees. The water was amazing all weekend — we swam multiple times a day. I had a hard time leaving. Maybe next time I’ll try for a waterfront site, but absolutely not necessary to enjoy this place.

Campsites are well maintained and clean. Nice large campfire raised rings. Ranger station has helpful staff.

Trails to beach are easy with endless beautiful water and sand.

We went there tenting as two couples and there was more than enough room for our tents and dogs. With plenty of hiking trails and only a small walk to the beach, we had plenty to do. The vault toilets were not the most well kept, but that was the only downfall to an amazing camping trip right on the lake.

Our family really enjoyed the scenery and the proximity to Charlevoix and Lake Michigan. Unfortunately we just couldn’t quite handle the level of mosquitos there. We found the site to be comfortable and well-kept. The walking trails are beautiful.

Really enjoyed Fisherman’s Island on the shores of Lake Michigan! We were in site 2 and it was very spacious and flat, with a fire pit and picnic table. Mature trees surrounded the whole site, which really gave it a woodsy feel. Site 2 was directly across from a water station and just a few hundred feet from the pit toilet, which was well kept.

A quick (less than 3 min walk) to the beach, which can be accessed by two short paths (one you have to jump down over some roots, so stay on the one to the left). Really nice beach for most of the shoreline and then becomes rockier as you go one way. Beautiful sunsets. The water was cold, but swimmable temperature-wise (not for too long). Lots of rock throwing into the lake, which my 5-year old loves to do (slow-mo video in the pictures).

Quick drive to Charlevoix. Very easy to access the state park and they sell firewood in the park (actually right next to Site 2).

Amazing site right on the lake. A short walk to the car was worth it for the privacy of the site

Not overly-loaded with campers. Long paved roads for kiddos with bikes, but still really woodsy. We got a site right on Lake Michigan and it was amazing. Rocky beach access, wave sounds lulling me to sleep, view of the lake sunset from my fire.

Fall camped here. First time and it lived up to all the good reviews! Absolutely beautiful fall colors throughout the campground! Got a pull through Lake MI-front site (34). Got to hear waves day and night. Hiked to closed south campground and beach. Colors even more spectacular there! Once south campground gets opened, most of those sites are in woods and not waterfront but very large. Each site with picnic table and fire pit. Bring your own grate as those aren’t provided. Potable water from hand pump and was unable (water bandit didn’t fit) to fill camper water tank which was my only complaint. Pit toilets clean. The summary of this campground is incorrect-there are not showers nor electricity. It is a rustic campground. Will definitely put this campground on my favorites list!!

If you are wanting to camp right on the lake, this is your place. Our site 33 wasn't even the best one. Several sites sit right on the beach. Sites are semi private depending on how loud your neighbors are. We have t mobile and had cell service at our site. There is a cement factory to the right but it couldnt ruin our stay. Pit toilets are spaced out, there is wood for sale for $10 a tub and water is only available toward the front, but the site!!! Lake Michigan is unfortunately above its highest levels and this has resulted in a great deal of erosion. This means the Channel Campground is closed except to foot or bike traffic so if you are willing to hike or bike 2 miles each way, you have access to an empty beach. We loved our stay and will definitely get back here.

Amazing rustic park, DNR was called on us at 9pm for being too loud even thought it was before quiet hours. So if you’re going you can’t be too rowdy. Views are worth it though

Top three things that are best about this state camp ground are as listed:

1. Camp sites are huge. Plenty of room for multiple tents. Also all have trees for shade or a hammock.

2. Camp sites are NOT on top of each other. Usually you only get this in the backcountry. I was very impressed for rustic camping I had privacy and plenty of room.

3. The beach was fantastic. Lovely shoreline. Lots of cool beach rocks. The day use area is also very accessible.

The only major con is that it is next door to a cement facility. So yes you will sorta see if from the beach and you will see it when you drive up to go into the park. Other than that you won’t really know it’s there. I will say if you like airplanes the beaver island is nearby and A LOT of planes do fly by. So if you’re looking for library quite... this isn’t it but it pretty dang close.

The vaulted bathrooms were fine. There was water accessible as well. A great place and I would totally come back!

This park is so pretty! Some of the beach sites offer walk in wooded areas with their own private trails to the water. There is also drive around and pull up sites available for campers and tents. The sites are not overly close together either, which can sometimes be an issue at state parks. Picnic table, fire rings, and wooded areas at each site. Bathrooms available in the main parts. So many beautiful areas to explore around this park as well. I can’t get enough.

Huge selection of sites between 2 different campgrounds, from a huge RV to tents or hammocks, there are power and non-electric sites for fair prices. We made a last minute reservation, so didn't have a site next to the lake, but the walk from our spot (south campground, site 46) to the beach was easy enough. Once we got to the lake we found Petoskey stones and fossils like crazy! It's unbelievable how many there were. The sand was nice and the campground overall was clean and quiet. Rangers were very nice and test the water pumps every day. Beautiful views. Lots of deadfall for firewood for those who chose to gather. Sites are within viewing distance but not completely on top of each other. Would definitely stay again and spend more time on the hiking trails and looking for stones and fossils!

Fishermans is a rustic campground right on Lake Michigan and is very close to Charlevoix and all the town has to offer. Their rustic waterfront sites look gorgeous! If I had gotten one of those, this would be a 5 star review. As it was, the sites off the water are ok. We had a gravel pull through site, which made it hard to find a spot to pitch the tent. If I could get a waterfront site, I’d be back in a heartbeat!

Great place. Awesome hiking and rock picking. Very quiet and left natural. We will be going again.

Driving in to the campground, wear your blinders as there's a concrete plant right next door. I camped this past week and there were signs the park hadn't been used by many at all just yet. On the sites just a few yards away from Lake Michigan, the fall leaves and winter branch droppings remained on most of the sites, which seemed decent sized, but remember I am a tent camper. Pit toilets and water available. I did not meet or see camp host. There are two campgrounds, north and south, and both have a handful of sites right on Lake Michigan. North lakeside sites you can pull into, South lakeside sites some you park on the road. Not to worry, it's maybe 20 steps to the middle of your site, so really isn't an issue. Loved my Lakeside site and had some neighbors, but the low shrubs made for good privacy. Those with small kiddos may want to opt for interior site as lake sites are RIGHT ON THE WATER. Good time, some noise during the day from the cement plant, stores nearby. I will return.

Rustic sites that are a fair ways apart, some sites have more privacy than others. A few spots offer your own trail to get to the somewhat rocky shoreline. This is probably my favorite place to camp at the moment.