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Nichols Lake South Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Reservations are available at Nichols Lake South Campground, though half the sites run first-come, first-served, making it worth arriving with a plan either way. At $30 per night, this US Forest Service campground operates from early May through early October within Manistee National Forest, with a camp host on site selling ice and firewood. Navigation deserves attention before arrival: multiple GPS systems route drivers to a dead end, and the correct approach comes from the south off 11 Mile Road. RVs up to 65 feet can fit, but the access road has a reputation for rough conditions.

Sites here are large and well-spaced, with paved pads, picnic tables, and lantern posts at each one. The campground connects to Nichols Lake via boardwalks that lead to a shallow swimming beach, a small boat launch, and a fishing pier. Anglers, paddlers, and swimmers all have direct water access. Trails also branch out from the campground toward nearby fishing spots and connect to the North Country Trail. Nearby, Huron-Manistee/Nichols Lake provides an additional option for campers who want to compare sites on the same lake.

Facilities run a step above what the "rustic" label might suggest. Flush toilets and showers are on site, the women's restroom has drawn consistent positive mentions for cleanliness, and cell service is available. Quiet hours are enforced. As loujimi47 notes, "camp manager was helpful and watchful." No dump station is on site; the nearest is roughly 10 miles away. This campground works well for families and anglers who want lake access with above-average amenities for a national forest setting.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsNichols Lake South Campground is located in Michigan near Bitely

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Directions

From Baldwin, take M-37 south for 13.5 miles to 11 Mile Road. Turn right. Go west approximately 4.5 miles to the campground entrance. From White Cloud, take M-37 north for 13 miles to 11 Mile Road. Turn west for 4.5 miles to the campground.

Address

P.O. Box 69
Manistee, MI 49660

Coordinates

43.7230556 N
85.9025 W

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Connectivity

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Connectivity

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

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

Drive Time


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Reviews7 Camper Reviews - Nichols Lake South Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

29%
71%
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4.5

out of 5

7 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2025

Needs to maintain standards of operation

Facility at Office quite nice. Camp host was running his generator all night long. Women routinely take their dogs with them into the restroom. We’re not talking about outhouses but flush toilet bathroom with shower.

Site16
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2023

Beautiful park

Such beautiful huge sites. Our family had two sites next to each other and it seemed like half an acre! Some very uneven areas. Quiet time was strictly observed, camp manager was helpful and watchful. Women's bathroom was clean and well stocked. Many opportunities for nature walks, even adjoining the NCT. Boardwalks available to walk to the lake with great swimming, floating, kayaking and fishing opportunities .

Site23 and 24
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by loujimi47 , July 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by loujimi47 , July 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by loujimi47 , July 18, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 19, 2021

Great peaceful spot.

Nice campground, Paved pads, showers and flush toilets

No hookups. Getaway. Some spots have openings good for solar

Half are frist come frist server. Others are reservations

Campground manger on site. , Sell ice and wood at campground

Picnic table and lantern postcard each site

No dump station nearest one 10 miles away

Site23
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Jeff F., May 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Jeff F., May 19, 2021
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Jeff F., May 19, 2021
Reviewed May. 18, 2021

Great national forest campground

May 17. Not many rigs 3-5 smaller campers. Some fishing. Lake us right here, it's own boat lunch

Water, flush toilets showers hit water

Site24
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2019

An upgrade for a rustic forest campground

Nice place for a rustic forest campground. Nice beach with a shallow weed free swimming area. The sites are large and semi-private, quite a bit of space between the sites. In addition, this rustic campground has showers and flush toilets! Nice upgrade. Just be careful with navigation, all the systems have this road that does not exist, very strange. Approach for the south off 11 mile road. If your nav system is directing you north override it, it will take you to a dead end. Both google and apple maps have the problem.

  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Bret J., August 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Bret J., August 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Bret J., August 12, 2019
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2019

Family friendly camping on a lake

Be clear on your directions. We found ourselves down a dead end dirt road and had to drive back out around town. Once here we discovered a wonderful campground. 

Campsites are nicely laid out and we found a bunch of open sites even many were already taken. It was clear that families camp here - bikes and children abound. There is even a basketball hoop by the host’s campsite. There are a few hiking trails that lead to the beach or to some close by fishing spots. The host sells firewood but there is also an ice freezer with bags for sale (a bit pricy though). Vault toilets and water are available. 

There are other local lakes and campgrounds. ATV, as well as off-road, driving trails are plentiful. Take some time to explore the small towns. 

This is a campground that is nicer than some of the other campgrounds we found in the area but it doesn’t feel as rustic either.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Art S., August 3, 2019
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Art S., August 3, 2019
  • Review photo of Nichols Lake South Campground by Art S., August 3, 2019
  • (11) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a map available of Nichols Lake Campground?

Maps of Nichols Lake South Campground are available through the U.S. Forest Service, as this is a national forest campground. Visitors should check the official Huron-Manistee National Forests website for the most current campground layout. The campground features a logical layout with sites arranged to provide good spacing and privacy. For navigation purposes, having a map is recommended as some visitors have reported taking wrong turns on dirt roads while trying to locate the campground.

Are there photos of Nichols Lake South Campground to view before visiting?

Photos of Nichols Lake South Campground can be found on the U.S. Forest Service website and various camping platforms including The Dyrt. These images typically showcase the campground's spacious sites, beach area, boat launch, and wooded surroundings. For the most current visual representation of the campground, check official Forest Service resources or camping websites. Photos help illustrate the campground's rustic forest setting and large semi-private sites that many visitors appreciate.

What do reviews say about Nichols Lake South Campground?

Nichols Lake South Campground is highly regarded as a beautiful rustic national forest campground with large, semi-private sites that offer plenty of space between neighbors. The campground features paved pads, a nice beach with a shallow weed-free swimming area, a small boat launch, and fishing pier. Though rustic, it offers surprising amenities including showers and flush toilets. The campground manager maintains the facilities well, sells ice and firewood on-site, and enforces quiet hours. Each site includes a picnic table and lantern post, making it popular with families.

Where is Nichols Lake South Campground located in Michigan?

Nichols Lake South Campground is located in the Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan, near Bitely. The campground sits directly on Nichols Lake, offering immediate lake access for swimming and fishing. The location can be tricky to find, so careful attention to directions is important as some visitors have reported ending up on dead-end dirt roads. The campground's forest setting provides opportunities for nature walks on adjoining trails while maintaining proximity to the lake's recreational offerings.