USDA Forest Service · Michigan

Gooseneck Lake Campsites

USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States

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Sites
3
Hookups
3 no hookups
Season
May 15 to October 15
Max RV length
24 ft
Drinking water
No
Restrooms
No
Pets
Yes
Elevation
810 ft
Dark sky
Bortle class 1
Cell coverage
Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
Access road
GOOSENECK LAKE SPUR EA (NFSR 2218EA) · native material · high clearance vehicles
Lake
Hiawatha National Forest
Nearest town
Rapid River
Address
RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, Rapid River, MI, 49878
Phone
906-474-6442 OR 906-387-2512
Activities
Boating, Camping, Fishing, Swimming

3 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.

About

Overview

The Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest offer a variety of camping experiences. Many are located on inland lakes in a rustic forest environment with no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience.

Recreation

Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.

The best swimming opportunities are located at site 3 and site 4.

Site 1 does NOT have good swimming conditions.

Site 3 has good swimming conditions, however there are high banks at this site that block the view of the shoreline from the site.

Site 4 has a very shallow beach area

An improved public boat access is located near site 1. A toilet is nearby, which is shared with site 1. The lake offers a good fishery of walleye, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, sunfish and northern pike.

Facilities

There is NO drinking water available at these sites.

Primitive toilets are available at the campsites:

Site 1 has a primitive toilet, which is located and shared with the public using the boat launch

Site 3 has a primtive toilet.

Lake Name: Gooseneck Lake

Number of Sites: 3

Maximum Number of People Per Site: Site 1 and 4 (8), Site 3 (16)

Toilets: Yes at sites 1 and 3

Boat Access: Back-In near Site 1

Lake Size (acres): 123

Natural Features

Gooseneck Lake is an extremely busy lake with private land and cottages surrounding most of its shores. As a result, pontoon boats, jet skis and water skiers and even occasional fishing boats can be seen and heard on the lake.

There are three campsites on Gooseneck Lake:

Site 1 is set back in a wooded area. Although its small, it is very nice. It is 40 ft. x 30 ft. with rough road access. It is suitable for a single family, but trailers are not recommended.

Site 3 is an excellent camping area at the top of a small sandy bank. It is an open area, 100 ft x 70 ft in size. Access is good and this site is suitable for two families and trailers.

Site 4 is located on the south side of the lake. The site is 70 ft. x 45 ft. and can accomodate one family. The access road is firm, but very narrow with sharp turns and washboard roots. Trailers are not recommended due to the very limited turning space.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information.

Nearby Attractions

There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals.

Weather, month by month

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January23°10°-16°39°11 of 11
February25°12°-8°50°11 of 11
March36°21°3°59°11 of 11
April45°31°12°72°9 of 11
May61°42°29°75°2 of 11
June70°52°41°83°0 of 11
July77°60°50°96°0 of 11
August76°60°52°87°0 of 11
September69°56°42°81°0 of 11
October53°42°29°72°2 of 10
November39°31°9°55°8 of 10
December30°20°-4°50°10 of 10

Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.

Nearby campgrounds

All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.