State Forest · Michigan
Black Lake State Forest Campground Lower
State Forest · Michigan, United States · in Black Lake State Forest
- Sites
- 17
- Hookups
- 17 no hookups
- Season
- May 7 to October 14
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
- Elevation
- 702 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · AT&T good · T-Mobile none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 231-627-2811
About
On the northern shores of Michigan's seventh-largest inland lake, Black Lake (Lower) State Forest Campground offers 17 sites for tents and trailers. Surrounded by rolling hills and hardwood forests, the shallow lake is ideal for paddling and fishing, including Northern pike and muskellunge. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water. This popular campground fills up quickly in the summer, especially on weekends.
The Black Mountain Pathway is located about one-third mile east of the campground.
While ORVs must remain on trailers within the rustic campground, ORVs are permitted to operate between the Black Lake (Upper) State Forest Campground and nearby trails.
The campground is located 11 miles north of Onaway via M-211, County Road 489, Black Mt. Road and Doriva Beach Road.
17 rustic campsites, $20 a night. Closed October 14 to May 7. First come, first served; register at the campground kiosk on the day you arrive. Vault toilets and a hand-pump well for drinking water; no electricity or hookups. One camping unit and six people per site, 15 nights at most. Managed from Cheboygan State Park (231-627-2811).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 14° | -7° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 13° | -11° | 46° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 22° | 6° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 48° | 33° | 13° | 74° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 62° | 43° | 29° | 80° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 70° | 54° | 44° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 63° | 55° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 77° | 62° | 56° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 71° | 56° | 47° | 83° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 44° | 34° | 74° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 33° | 15° | 61° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 24° | 4° | 59° | 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
- Black Lake State Forest Campground Upper · State Forest · 0 mi · 35 sites
- Black Lake Trail Camp State Forest Campground · State Forest · 3 mi · 8 sites
- Twin Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 3 mi · 11 sites
- Onaway · Michigan State Parks · 4 mi
- Aloha – North, Middle and South Sections · Michigan State Parks · 10 mi
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.