USDA Forest Service · Michigan
Chicago Lake Campsites
USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 4
- Hookups
- 4 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to October 15
- Max RV length
- 32 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 791 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- EIGHTEEN MILE CREEK NORTH (NFSR 2422) · improved 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
4 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 campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.
Swimming conditions vary by site.
Conditions are the best at sites 3 and 4.
Conditions at site 2 are considered fair.
The road leading to sites 3 and 4 are shared by anglers using the public boat launch into Chicago Lake. This boat launch is located adjacent to Site 4 and features an improved gravel ramp for accessing the abundant population of northern pike and bluegills. Largemouth bass and perch are present in smaller quanities.
Facilities
There are primitive toilets available at site 2 and between sites 3 and 4.
There is NO drinking water.
Lake Name: Chicago Lake
Number of Sites: 3
Maximum Number of People Per Site: 16
Toilets: Yes
Boat Access: Back - In
Lake Size (acres): 188
Natural Features
Chicago Lake (188 acres) hosts four campsites and an improved boat launch, all clustered around its north end.
Site #1 is Decomissioned
Site #2 is a larger site in an open area, measuring 55 ft. by 45 ft. It can accommodate 2 families and trailers. There is a primitive toilet at this site.
Site #3 is a larger site surrounded by tall pines and is near the lakeshore. It measures 60 ft. by 50 ft. and is suitable for two families. However, trailer access is difficult because of limited turning area.
Site #4 is a semi-open area that measures 55 ft. by 50 ft. It can accommodate two families and trailers. A primitive toilet is shared with site #4.
There is a boat launch located adjacent to site #4 and features an improved gravel ramp for accessing Chicago Lake.
Nearby Attractions
There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. Within 20 miles 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.
Contact Info
For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23° | 10° | -17° | 38° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 25° | 13° | -9° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 36° | 22° | 2° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 45° | 31° | 11° | 72° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 60° | 42° | 29° | 77° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 70° | 53° | 42° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 60° | 52° | 97° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 61° | 54° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 56° | 44° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 53° | 42° | 29° | 70° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 32° | 6° | 55° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 30° | 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
- Camp Cook Campsite · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- Camp Seven Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 39 sites
- Gooseneck Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 3 sites
- Lyman Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi · 10 sites
- Carr Lake Campsite · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi · 1 sites
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.