Down a dirt and sand road off Twin Lakes Truck Trail, about 15 minutes from the nearest paved route, South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground sits within the Shingleton State Forest Area alongside one of the Upper Peninsula's quieter lakes. The campground runs a simple loop with around eight sites total. Two of those sites sit directly on the water; the rest are set back in the trees, flat and reasonably private.
"Gorgeous lake surrounded by dense forest," is how Mitch + Kristi N. describe it, and the layout backs that up. Lakeside sites fill first, often by early evening on summer weekdays, so arriving by mid-afternoon gives the best shot at a waterfront spot. The campground draws a notably low-key crowd. After Labor Day, some visitors have found only one other site occupied. Boats can launch from the area, though activity on the water tends to stay light.
Amenities are minimal but functional. Vault toilets were reported as fairly clean and stocked on recent visits. The hand pump well is on site, though at least one reviewer noted sandy water quality and suggested bringing bottled water as a backup. There are no hookups, no showers, and no cell signal to speak of. Campfires are allowed, picnic tables are provided, and pets are welcome. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration on arrival, though reservations are also available.
Road access deserves attention before the trip. GPS directions have sent some visitors down closed routes. Following posted signage rather than navigation apps is the more reliable approach. A standard passenger vehicle handles the drive fine in dry conditions, but some alternate routes into the area call for higher clearance or four-wheel drive. North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground sits less than a mile north and offers a comparable fallback if sites here are taken.
The campground sits within reasonable driving distance of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, making it a practical base for day trips to the area. Campers planning to explore campgrounds around Munising will find this cluster of state forest sites a lower-cost alternative to the heavily booked national lakeshore campgrounds. The season runs April through October; mid-week visits in late summer or early fall tend to offer the most space and the least competition for lakeside spots.
Description
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
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSouth Gemini Lake State Forest Campground is located in Michigan near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Directions
Located 5 mi E of Melstrand.
Coordinates
46.48069046 N
86.304449 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&T5GExcellent Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 28 min from Green Bay, WI
- 3 hrs 48 min from Appleton, WI
- 4 hrs 15 min from Traverse City, MI
- 4 hrs 40 min from Wausau, WI
















