What is the max vehicle length at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground?

Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground allows vehicles up to 30 feet.

Are fires allowed at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground?

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

Is there cell phone reception at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground?

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

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Reviews

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Nature

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Water

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Roads

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Activities

Established Camping

Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground

5 Reviews

Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground, near Grayling, Michigan, is a scenic spot that draws visitors with its beautiful views and rustic charm. The campground is surrounded by towering pines and rolling hills, providing a picturesque backdrop for your outdoor adventures.

This place is known for its lovely swimming spots right at many of the campsites, making it a hit for families looking to enjoy the water. Campers have mentioned the convenience of having picnic tables and fire rings at their sites, perfect for evening gatherings and s'mores under the stars. One visitor raved, “Most sites have an amazing view,” highlighting the natural beauty that surrounds you here.

For those who enjoy exploring, the campground is a great launching point for activities like canoeing on the AuSable River, with local outfitters nearby to help you out. While it can get busy, especially during peak times, the vibrant atmosphere adds to the experience for many. Just keep in mind that some sites can be swampy after rain, so it’s wise to choose your spot carefully.

With its mix of water access and wooded trails, Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground offers a solid option for those looking to connect with nature while still having access to nearby amenities in Grayling. Whether you're pitching a tent or parking your RV, this campground has a little something for everyone.

Description

State Park

Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html

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Location

Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground is located in Michigan

Directions

From junction Hwy 93 & Hwy 72: Proceed 5 miles west on Hwy 72, turn south on Mcintyres Landing and continue for 1/4 mile. Next, turn west onto a gravel road and continue for 2 miles.

Coordinates

44.65589066 N
84.81601028 W

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The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

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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
Unknown
Verizon
Available
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Reservations

(800) 447-2757

Drive Time

49 min from Traverse City
1 hr 21 min from Midland
1 hr 23 min from Bay City
1 hr 33 min from Saginaw

Lydia T.

Legend

Reviewed May. 21, 2024

Beautiful state forest campground

This has been one of my favorite rustic state forest spots. Most sites have an amazing view. The campground is so pretty with huge Pines and hills overlooking the lake. You can swim right at most of the sites.

Month of VisitMay

(14) View All

Mariah R.

Traveler

Reviewed Feb. 2, 2021

Great for families, probably

I seek out solitude and this is a very busy campground. Great for boaters with families. Lake Margrethe is a beautiful, clean lake. Nice woods, a fun sand area and plenty to do in the area.

Bill W.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2020

Great campground but some swampy sites

Being right on the lake was wonderful. It’s close to town (we recommend Paddle Hard Brewing in Grayling) and we used it as a launching site to canoe the AuSable River with a helpful car spot from Birchers Livery.

The sites along the lake are gorgeous and have many little paths down to the water. That said, stay away from the interior sites (#24-28) because they are basically little islands in a marsh. It rained a couple days before we arrived and our site was a swamp.

Kate K.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2019

Best swimming in the area!

We like this place because they have a killer beach for swimming and wading. A good amount of the sites are water sites and some are up on a hill with really nice views. The campground is conveniently located but this means it’s a very busy place. We usually opt for another rustic campground a bit more off the beaten path, but if you can get a spot, this place is nice.

dh W.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 5, 2018

Loud, party campground with loud artillery noise from Camp Grayling.

If you're looking for a beautiful, quiet, secluded place to camp, this is most definitely not it. Lake Margrethe is a large lake full of power boaters, jet skiers, and folks on pontoon boats drinking heavily, and the campground is full of folks who bring enormous RV's (despite the sites only being appropriate for tents medium-sized rigs) and their loud music speakers. Maybe it was our mistake for visiting on a Friday night, but it was absolutely terrible. It felt like we were plopped down into folks' family reunion bbq's. The enormous group on one side was drinking until very late and the folks on the other side were getting stoned (which was fine except I had to explain the smell to my kid).

On top of that, nearby Camp Grayling provided almost constant noise from machine gun fire. The folks at the next campsite kept drunkenly yelling "Hold Your Fire!!!" and then laughing uproariously. It was hilarious, guys, thanks. To be fair, the artillery sounds ended around 8 PM and started up again at 9 AM (on a Saturday morning).

If you need another reason not to go, there is a health advisory about swallowing any of the foam in the water because of PFAS contamination. So, although the site was absolutely beautiful to look at, the rest of the surroundings made it a terrible location. We will never, ever be going back.

Site30

Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the max vehicle length at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground?
Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground allows vehicles up to 30 feet.
Are fires allowed at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground?
Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.
Is there cell phone reception at Lake Margrethe State Forest Campground?
According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is unknown.

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