State forest campgrounds near Black River offer rustic accommodations with limited amenities. Ossineke State Forest Campground provides direct Lake Huron waterfront access with sites about 30 yards from the shoreline. The area maintains cell coverage for remote workers, though service can be spotty in more forested locations. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October with limited winter options.
What to do
Lake activities: Campers Cove RV Park offers boat and kayak rentals with waterfront sites. "There is a fishing pond, a camp store, nice workers, they pick up trash at the camp sites, they will drain your camper tanks for you at your site for $10, there are boats and kayaks to rent," notes Alexandra M.
Golfing: Thunder Bay Golf and RV Resort features a full golf course with package deals for campers. "The resort does not have a playground and there's not much to do for small kids, which is a plus for us. We again enjoyed our short stay, especially playing this fun and challenging golf course," reports MickandKarla W.
Hiking and biking: Explore the 9-mile bike path from Browns Landing into Tawas. "There is a bike path that goes all the way into Tawas. About 9 miles. It goes thru the woods and is just lovely with jasmine and lilac bushes and views of Lake Huron," writes tammy.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Ossineke State Forest Campground offers direct Lake Huron shoreline. "About half the sites have waterfront access, beautiful beach, nice wooded sites. Picnic table, fire ring, nice outhouse, town not too far," explains Rachel K.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at state forest sites. "Most are well spaced and offer lots of privacy. Many sites offer lake front access. The vault toilets were clean, odor was minimal and they had hand sanitizer," states Joseph R. about Ossineke State Forest Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Alcona Park provides excellent fishing access. "Caught lots of fish from walleye to crappie, even a 6.3lb small mouth bass! Very nice campground that I will continue to camp at and recommend!!" says Ralph E.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds have nearby train tracks. "Typical KOA clean orderly but a train does run right next to the camp," writes Mike G. about Oscoda-Tawas KOA. Another camper adds, "The train does run late and sometimes in the middle of the night but the conductor comes and stands on the platform and waves to all the kids!"
Water access varies: Not all sites with "waterfront" have easy swimming access. At Ossineke State Forest Campground, "Beautiful woodsy sites. Most are well spaced and offer lots of privacy. Many sites offer lake front access," but campers should note the shoreline is mostly rocky.
Internet and cell coverage: Northern Bear Paw RV Park offers good connectivity. "Traveling in from Indiana, the country side relaxes your big city anxieties while calming the busy lifestyle in your rear view mirror," notes Colin L., who specifically mentioned being able to relax while still having basic amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Kids' activities: Campgrounds with dedicated children's areas provide entertainment. "Campers Cove in Alpena is so nice! Some great things include: putt putt, most sites are on water, there is a fishing pond, a camp store, nice workers," reports Alexandra M.
Beach quality considerations: Not all Lake Huron access points are kid-friendly. "We tent-camped in August and swam twice a day in that beautiful crystal clear water," says Mary H. about Ossineke State Forest Campground, showing that water conditions are typically good for swimming.
Budget-friendly options: State forest campgrounds offer affordable rates with basic amenities. "Sites are large, and some humongous. The campground is quiet, and the lake is right behind the campground. A nice sandy shoreline and shallow water makes for a relaxing day," explains DonW about Ossineke.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Check site specifications before booking. "The sites are level and adequately spacious," reports Gerard about Oscoda-Tawas KOA, which matters significantly for RV setup.
Hookup limitations: Many state forest campgrounds lack water and electrical hookups. Even established RV parks may have limited amp service. "20 amp electricity on most sites," notes one camper about Alcona Park, which can be insufficient for larger RVs with multiple appliances.
Tank services: Some campgrounds offer convenient tank pumping. "They will drain your camper tanks for you at your site for $10, there are boats and kayaks to rent," explains Alexandra M. about Campers Cove, which eliminates the need to break camp and drive to a dump station.
