USDA Forest Service · Michigan

Bear Lake Campsite

USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States

Open on the map Drive there Reserve Official page Directions
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

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January23°10°-16°39°11 of 11
February25°13°-7°50°11 of 11
March36°22°3°58°11 of 11
April46°31°12°72°9 of 11
May61°42°29°76°2 of 11
June71°52°42°83°0 of 11
July77°60°50°96°0 of 11
August76°61°53°87°0 of 11
September70°56°43°81°0 of 11
October53°43°29°71°2 of 10
November39°32°10°55°8 of 10
December30°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

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.