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Nature
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Water
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Roads
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Activities

Established Camping

Hovey Lake Campsites

Campers are Saying

Hovey Lake Campsites, near Hiawatha National Forest, is a serene spot that offers a peaceful escape for campers looking to unwind. With its beautiful surroundings and a lovely lake, it’s a great place to kick back and enjoy nature.

This location features basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for gathering around the fire after a day of exploring. Visitors have noted the clean facilities, including well-kept toilets, which add to the overall comfort of the stay. One camper mentioned, “For free camping with privvys, firepits, picnic tables and pump water, you can't beat this campground with a stick.”

While the lake is shallow, it’s still a nice spot for kayaking, though fishing and swimming might not be the best options. The area is also known for its peaceful vibe, making it a great choice for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle. Reviewers appreciated the quiet atmosphere, with one stating it was “absolutely beautiful” and off the beaten path.

If you’re up for some adventure, there are ATV trails nearby, and while hiking trails are scarce, the natural beauty of the area makes for a lovely stroll. Just keep in mind that the sites can fill up quickly on weekends, so plan accordingly. Hovey Lake Campsites is a solid pick for anyone looking to enjoy a free camping experience in a tranquil setting.

General Overview

National Forest

Hiawatha National Forest

This isolated, quiet, family type camping area is located on the east side of Hovey Lake. It is a good place for canoeing, bird watching, or just enjoying nature__s surroundings. There are 4 campsites, each with a table and fire ring. Toilets and drinking water are available. Swimming conditions in this lake are not good due to shallow water and the mucky bottom. Some northern pike, black bass, and panfish can be caught here. The 99 acre Hovey Lake is the headwaters of the Indian Wild and Scenic River and offers good trout fishing. There is a carry-in boat access near the entrance of the campground.

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Location

Hovey Lake Campsites is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

From the intersection of M-28 and M-94 drive southwest on M-94 6.4 miles to Forest Road 2254. Turn left (south) and drive 4 miles southeast on FR 2254 to Forest Road 2473. Turn right (south) on 2473 and drive 0.5 mile to FR 2367 where you turn right (west) and continue to the campsites.

Coordinates

46.288597 N
86.698681 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Available

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2023

Beautiful Campground

Absolutely beautiful campground, off the beaten trail and very quiet. The lake itself is gorgeous but it’s so shallow it’s not very good for kayaking (we tried) and I can’t imagine it’d be much good for fishing either.

Site3
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Jeff V., July 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Jeff V., July 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Jeff V., July 23, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2022

Small and fills up on the weekend

Tight bumpy road into and through camp. The road to it isn’t bad though. All the sites were taken when we came through on a Thursday of an upcoming holiday. This looks like you would have your own private space with a few campers in the area. There is a small store/restaurant nearby too. We didn’t see hiking trails but we found a lot of atv trails. Some people were walking along the road.

  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Art S., July 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Art S., July 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Art S., July 18, 2022
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2022

Great free campsite

One of my favorite free campgrounds. Smaller sites on lake. I had 21’ travel trailer and anything bigger would have been tight. Picnic tables and fire ring. Lake is very shallow. Good for kayaking. Not good for fishing or swimming.

Site2
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Eric G., June 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Eric G., June 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Eric G., June 11, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2021

Can't beat it

For free camping with privvys, firepits, picnic tables and pump water, You can't beat this campground with a stick. Has a water pump. The privvys are actually in good shape and do not stink. However it was good I had TP because they did not have enough. I had the site as soon as you pull in. It had a path to the water and sunset was beautiful. This will become a go to for me.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Corey O., July 14, 2021
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Corey O., July 14, 2021
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Corey O., July 14, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 25, 2020

Peacefully Remote

Directions were a little sketchy but worth the extra effort.  There's a total of 7 campsites and when I arrived 2 were already taken.  I chose mine and settled in for the night.  The lake was close although there were no paths down to it from my site.  Views, as the sun went down, were beautiful.  Warning, all the sites were very unlevel!

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Frank  M., April 25, 2020
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Frank  M., April 25, 2020
  • Review photo of Hovey Lake Campsites by Frank  M., April 25, 2020
  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Hovey Lake Campsites have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Hovey Lake Campsites does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Hovey Lake Campsites?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is available.