Maple Bay State Forest Campground, near Brutus, Michigan, is a rustic spot that offers a laid-back camping experience right by Burt Lake. With a mix of lakeside and forested sites, it’s a great place to kick back and soak in the natural beauty.

The campground features basic amenities like pit toilets and seasonal water spigots, so you can stay comfortable without the frills. Campers appreciate the easy access to the water, with a boat launch right next to the campground, making it a breeze to bring your watercraft along. As one visitor noted, “The view from the front sites overlooking Maple Bay are some of the best I’ve seen.”

For those who enjoy fishing or just lounging by the lake, this place has you covered. While some sites are on the smaller side, the peaceful atmosphere and stunning views make it worth it. Plus, you’re just a short drive from Petoskey, where you can find supplies or explore local attractions.

Visitors have mentioned that the campground can fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so arriving early is a smart move. Whether you’re here for a quick getaway or a longer stay, Maple Bay offers a charming escape into nature.

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/buy-and-apply/rec-pp

Maple Bay State Forest Campground

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Brutus

The Best Camping Near Brutus, Michigan

Gorgeous without modern conveniences. This is an absolute breathtaking campsite. Yes, it is rustic. Yes, you have outhouses. Yes, you have to use the pump to get water. Yes, you are sleeping but a few feet from the water. Yes, you can hear the waves as you sleep. Yes, you have AMAZING views of the bay. Yes, this place is beautiful if you can sacrifice some modern conveniences...but you're camping, isn't that the 💡

A diamond in the sand

For tent campers this is a fine weekend spot. Burt lake is beautiful. When we went mayflies were hatching (May). This campground seemed to fill up quickly, it is first come first serve so come before Friday afternoon to get a spot.

Burt lake is such a large lake that finding a good fishing spot can be quite difficult. No one we talked to had luck the weekend we were there. Supposedly a hotspot is on either side of the campground.

This campground had some rustic features. The water pumps here did not drain well, the nearby dumpster did smell like a dead animal. The crowd here seems to get rowdy with frequent sand bar parties from the locals. We love camping so nothing can stop us from enjoying the great sites next to the water where you can anchor your boat. Just understand the bare necessities of this campground with a beautiful view.

Would recommend as an overnight fishing spot not a place for a week long camp. The state forest management did routinely pop in and check tags and clean bathrooms.

Basic rustic campground 

There are approximately 32-38 campsites on a first come first serve basis. You can moor your boat right at the campground. The public launch was redone a few years ago and its a great one. The view from the front sites overlooking Maple Bay are some of the best I’ve seen.

Peaceful and beautiful campground with pit toilets and water pumps

This campground has tiny campsites that are very uneven. We camp in a tent so that was not ideal. There are about 8 lake side sites which are right across the road from the lake. Those were the best sites for size and view. The lake is really large so it is great for boating. The boat launch is right in the campground and it has two launches so it makes for quick access. You can anchor your boat in the water if you choose. If you have a boat you can access the Indian River which takes you to Mullett lake. Also you can take the crooked river to crooked lake but you have to pay a $10 fee for the locks. The water has leeches which was a pain with my 2 year old. She got one every time she went in the water. The campground does not have a host and dnr only came in the morning to check tags. The week we were here we had fireworks and a lot of noisy campers well past midnight. 

Mediocre

It was just before Labor Day and we had hoped to make it up to the Upper Peninsula before nightfall.  This didn't happen, so we tried a couple of state parks, but everything was already full.  Then, for $15 a night, we found this beauty along the northwest shore of Burt Lake, one of the larger inland lakes in northern Michigan. 

  

The campground offers lakeside sites as well as forested, more private sites, to enjoy the forest. Unlike many lakeside campgrounds however, the large beach area along the shore is common space, so everyone in the campground gets equal access to the water regardless of where you’re camped.  Bathrooms are simple pit-toilets and water was available from seasonal spigots.

  

The boat launch is right next to the campground so bringing along your toys is easy to do. Burt Lake has a well-developed lake shore with cabins and houses, so local trail opportunities were limited. It is however, centrally located to make day trips to many popular outdoor recreation areas that the north county has to offer. 

  

The popular tourist town of Petosky is within a 20-minute drive, which offers all the services you would expect from a large regional center.

Respite when all the state parks were overflowing!

Pros:  Location!   25 minutes from Mackinaw City, 10 Minutes from Pellston for supplies.  Right on Burt Lake.  Clean pit toilets.  Generally not too crowded.

Cons:  Small sites, especially for a Statr Forrest Campground.   Can be pretty loud. 

Smallish sites, great location

Had a great time, except the mosquitos were horrible

Photos of Maple Bay State Forest Campground

Real photos from real campers