State Forest · Michigan
Garey Lake Trail Camp
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- Group rates apply; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
- Elevation
- 942 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 231-276-9511
About
This charming trail camp offers group camping in the middle of what was once an apple orchard. The campground consists of a group camping area designed for equestrians riding the Shore-to-Shore Trail, a 420-mile trail system open to hiking and horseback riding, that stretches east-west from Empire to Oscoda with two additional northern and southern spur trails.
The group area has a maximum capacity of 200 people. Amenities include picket poles and a submersible pump that requires a 5,000-watt generator. The campground is located 8 miles southeast of Empire via M-72, Plowman Road and Pettengill Road.
If the group will utilize multiple campgrounds along the trail, please contact the Cadillac Operations Service Center at 231-775-9727, ext. 6006.
This campground is maintained with the help of the Michigan Trail Riders Association.
A group camp (equestrian - group); group rates apply. Open all year; the road may not be plowed in winter. 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 Interlochen State Park (231-276-9511).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27° | 17° | -3° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 28° | 17° | 2° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 26° | 10° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 48° | 34° | 17° | 74° | 7 of 11 |
| May | 59° | 44° | 30° | 78° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 68° | 55° | 44° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 75° | 63° | 54° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 75° | 64° | 57° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 59° | 50° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 56° | 46° | 36° | 70° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 35° | 19° | 61° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 26° | 8° | 57° | 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
- Garey Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 0 mi · 12 sites
- Empire Township Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 3 mi · 60 sites
- Lake Ann State Forest Campground · State Forest · 6 mi · 30 sites
- White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits · National Park Service · 7 mi · 7 sites
- Veterans Memorial State Forest Campground · State Forest · 8 mi · 24 sites
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.