USDA Forest Service · Michigan
Bear Lake Campsite
USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 1
- Hookups
- 1 with water, 1 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to October 15
- Max RV length
- 24 ft
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 709 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
- WOLF LAKE SPUR AA (NFSR 2696AA) · 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
- Camping, Fishing
1 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 the designated campsites located on the Hiawatha National Forest. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.
There is a carry - in boat launch at the day use area on the south end of the lake. This is intended to prevent the overfishing of this excellent brook trout fishery, which is maintained by annual stocking.
Swimming is marginal with a thin layer of sand covering a mucky bottom.
Facilities
There is NO drinking water available at these sites.
There are NO toilets.
Lake Name: Bear Lake
Number of Sites: 1
Maximum Number of People per Sites: 8
Toilets: No
Boat Access: Carry in ONLY Boat Access to the South of the site. There is a Boat Launch on the East side of the lake down FR 2633.
Lake Size (acres): 21
Natural Features
The Bear Lake campsite is situated on the gorgeous 21- acre Bear Lake, high upon a hill overlooking the lake. The site is surrounded by spectacular paper birch, aspen and oak tree species.
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.
Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available five miles northeast on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake Area.
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° | -16° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 25° | 13° | -7° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 36° | 22° | 3° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 46° | 31° | 12° | 72° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 61° | 42° | 29° | 76° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 71° | 52° | 42° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 60° | 50° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 61° | 53° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 56° | 43° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 53° | 43° | 29° | 71° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 32° | 10° | 55° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 30° | 20° | -4° | 51° | 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
- Carr Lake Campsite · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 1 sites
- Lyman Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 10 sites
- Gooseneck Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 3 sites
- Camp Seven Lake Campground · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 39 sites
- Jackpine Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 2 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.