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Established Camping

Grass Lake State Forest Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Grass Lake State Forest Campground near Thompsonville, MI, is surrounded by forested terrain and offers a natural setting for campers. The area experiences temperatures ranging from the 20s in winter to the 80s in summer. Nearby attractions include the Betsie River Pathway and Crystal Mountain Resort, providing opportunities for hiking and skiing.

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Location

Grass Lake State Forest Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

44.59271584 N
85.84993299 W

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Connectivity

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    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

For Vehicles

  • Sewer Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2024

Updated Info

Updating this information. We live 3 miles from this camp. All MI State Forest Campgrounds are nor $20/night.

There is not a RV dump or hookup of any kind in this campground. One could easily bring a 30 ft trailer but sites this size are limited.

This camp is on the Betsie River and the Grass Lake Flooding. There is a gravel/sand ramp to launch smaller fishing boats. Great area to kayak and float tube. 1000's of acres of State Forest surrounding this spot with miles of trails for atv, cars, trucks and horses. There are no horst facilities at this camp.

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2019

Nice quiet primitive camp

This is a great little find.  All sites are first come first served and paid via an envelope into a lock box.  They do come around pretty much every day to check that you paid, so make sure you stop and pay up.  These sites are not like the state run campgrounds where you're packed in like sardines!  You have space and depending on which site you luck out with, you won't be able to hear your neighbors.  The sites that are like 8-11 (i think) are the best ones and you have more privacy.  But there are other sites directly on the water.  I was there for the July 4th long weekend and there were only like 5 sites occupied, but when we had called before showing up, they said some weekends they do get full.

There is a well hand pump for water.  I'm not sure if i would drink it though...I saw no mention of whether it was potable or not.  But I used it to wash my hands, dishes and wash my hair.  

There are at least 2 vault toilets.  They have plenty of toilet paper, and aren't that smelly.

The road is a dirt road to get there.  But there are lots of ATV roads on the way to the camp ground - so make you stay on the all dirt road to get there instead of turning onto a dirt ATV trail with lots of grass in the middle.  You don't have to have a 4 wheel drive to get there or anything, but just take the road slow so you don't break an axle. 

Bring a bike or kayak and enjoy the solitude while you're there!  It's great!

There is a dumpster to dump your garbage on the way out.

The site was relatively clean, but there was some litter that I could tell had just blown out of someone's car or something.  So leave the place cleaner than when you showed up and pick up the trash.

All sites have at least one picnic table, a fire ring and a grill.  But no grate to put over the fire pit, we brought charcoal to cook with or transferred hot coals from the firepit.

I have AT&T and had full cell service when I was there, so that made making evening plans easy.

Site10
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Grass Lake State Forest Campground by Mar S., July 8, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make reservations for Grass Lake State Forest Campground?

Grass Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservation system. To secure a site, simply arrive at the campground and select an available spot. This means during peak seasons or weekends, arriving early is recommended to ensure you get a site. For the most current information on availability or potential policy changes, contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

What are the fees for camping at Grass Lake State Forest Campground?

The camping fee at Grass Lake State Forest Campground is $20 per night. Payment is collected via a self-registration system where you fill out an envelope and deposit it in a lockbox at the campground. Rangers regularly check for payment, so be sure to display your receipt properly after paying. A Michigan Recreation Passport may also be required for entry. For the most accurate and current fee information, verify with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before your trip.

What amenities are available at Grass Lake State Forest Campground?

Grass Lake State Forest Campground offers basic amenities in a rustic setting. The campground features vault toilets and water pumps. Sites are well-spaced, providing more privacy than typical state park campgrounds. The campground is situated on the Betsie River and Grass Lake, making it ideal for fishing and water activities. There are no RV hookups or dump stations available. While the campground is primitive, its natural setting and spacious sites make it an appealing option for those seeking a more peaceful camping experience.