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Nature
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Water
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Roads
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Activities

Established Camping

Shelley Lake Campground

About

National Forest

Huron-Manistee National Forests

Shelley Lake is a 15-acre lake, surrounded by National Forest land, the family-style campground is the only access to the lake. A foot-bridge over the creek leads to one of the sites. This campground is very popular during fishing season. Sites are surrounded by an oak and maple forest. The lake is only 15-feet at its deepest point.

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Location

Shelley Lake Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

From White Cloud - Travel north on M-37 for 10 miles. Turn right and travel east on FR 5450 for .5 miles. Follow the primitive road to the site.

Coordinates

43.71233476 N
85.81093336 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

Reviews

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3.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

R. B.
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2021

inexpensive overnight spot

The road to the park off 37 is unmarked and easy to miss. With the exception of the two walk-ins, the sites feel like they are right on the road. This wasn't really a big deal as it's pretty hidden and not too busy, still could have been uncomfortable if the campground was full. Narrow roads, no large RVs. No water access (without filtering devices to use the lake water) and pit toilet (no door, no roof, behind a fence). Some sites have lake views, the best sites seem to be the walk-in sites on the lake. There are trash bins by the check-in but still quite a bit of litter around the sites and on the road. Quiet and decent price for overnight or a plan B if other FFS campgrounds are full.

Site2
Month of VisitOctober
Jonathan B.
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2021

Easy peasy

Table, fire ring, metal hanger/post, clean sites. A bit of road noise but otherwise nice and peaceful.

Site5
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Jonathan B., September 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Jonathan B., September 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Jonathan B., September 11, 2021
Brian N.
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2020

If you’re overlanding and just

need a quiet crash the night spot. It’s with ok sized sites. But for $10..... how can you not give this 5 stars. Couple hiking trails and ground to explore and relax after driving all day. Probably wouldn’t recommend any big rigs.

  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Brian N., August 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Brian N., August 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Brian N., August 11, 2020
  • (5) View All
Ryan M.
Reviewed Jul. 4, 2020

Small and Rustic

This campground has 7 sites, two are walk ins and two are side by side. The lake is beautiful but the best swimming is from the two walk in sites, the only other access is by the bridge and boat launch and has gravel for boat trailers. As you get deeper it’s less rocky and more mucky. It would probably be difficult to park a large camper in any of these spots. Their is one bathroom in the secluded site across the bridge and one by the check in sign. The bathrooms are not vaults they are true outhouses with fencing for walls and no roof. Bring your own toilet paper and water. To find the site look for the dirt lot just be for the 11th street turn for Nichols lake. There is no sign by the road and it’s easy to miss. We’ve been here many times.

  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Ryan M., July 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Ryan M., July 4, 2020
  • Review photo of Shelley Lake Campground by Ryan M., July 4, 2020
  • (4) View All
Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Aug. 3, 2019

Very rustic with a really narrow road

First we didn’t find a sign- just a gravel circle next to the road. At the back of the gravel we found a small sign pointing down a narrow road (it didn’t say any names). We drove down it but it’s a narrow fit with few turn-outs- picture a classic, small 2-track trail. I would hesitate to take a larger camper here. After a drive we came upon the fee sign and 2 direction choices. 

We drove right and only found a few campsites. They were large and we were able to drive right into them. We actually found it easier to drive into the campsite to make the turn than to stay on the two-track. The trees are right next to the road. The lake wasn’t visible from this side. There was a walk-in site at the end of this track. It was far enough that none of the campsite was visible from the turnaround. 

The lack of signs and less well kept nature left us feeling a little less than comfortable here.

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