USDA Forest Service · Michigan

East 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
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

MonthTypical highTypical lowColdest nightHottest dayYears with a night below 32°F
January22°11°-15°39°11 of 11
February25°13°-9°50°11 of 11
March35°21°6°57°11 of 11
April46°31°12°73°9 of 11
May62°41°28°78°2 of 11
June71°51°40°84°0 of 11
July78°60°49°96°0 of 11
August77°60°51°88°0 of 11
September70°56°42°82°0 of 11
October53°42°29°72°2 of 10
November39°31°9°55°9 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 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.