USDA Forest Service · Michigan
East Lake Campsites
USDA Forest Service · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 3
- Hookups
- 3 no hookups
- Season
- May 15 to October 15
- Max RV length
- 40 ft
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- No
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 692 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
- EAST LAKE (NFSR 2650) · 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.
East Lake has fishing for largemouth bass, perch, bluegill and bullheads. Boat access is located just past site 1. It is unimproved, shallow and sandy. Carry-in access is recommended.
Swimming at Site 3 is excellent, but is not recommended at sites 1 and 2.
Facilities
There is NO drinking water at this location. There are primitive toilets located at sites 1 and 2.
Lake Name: East Lake
Number of Sites: 3
Max Number of People per site: Site 1 (24), Site 2 and 3 (8)
Toilets: Sites 1 and 2
Boat Access: Back-In launch just past site 1 down FR2650
Lake Size (acres): 53
Natural Features
There are 3 campsites located on different shores of the 53-acre East Lake:
Site 1 is located in a wooded area, on a hill, overlooking East Lake. It is located on the western shore of the lake. The site is 100 ft. x 75 ft. and is suitable for up to three families.
Site 2 is located on wooded site on the northeast side of the lake. It is 45 ft. x 35 ft. and would be suitable for one family. The access road to this site is narrow and winding, but can be traversed by small trailers.
Site 3 is located at an open area the extends into East Lake. It is 55 ft. x 50 ft. and is suitable for one family. Trailers are NOT recommended due to the very narrow and winding access road.
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.
Gasoline, groceries, fishing and camping supplies, boat rentals, ice and MDNR licenses are availalbe at Steuben, approximately two miles northwest, on County Road 437.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22° | 11° | -15° | 39° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 25° | 13° | -9° | 50° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 35° | 21° | 6° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 46° | 31° | 12° | 73° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 62° | 41° | 28° | 78° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 71° | 51° | 40° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 78° | 60° | 49° | 96° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 77° | 60° | 51° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 56° | 42° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 53° | 42° | 29° | 72° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 39° | 31° | 9° | 55° | 9 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
- Steuben Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 2 sites
- Indian River Campground And Day Use Area · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Little Bass Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- Little Bass Lake Campsites · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 5 sites
- Bass Lake Campsite · USDA Forest Service · 3 mi · 1 sites
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.