State Forest · Michigan
Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 35
- Hookups
- 35 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,040 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 231-922-5270
About
This rustic state forest campground, nestled on Guernsey Lake's north shore amidst oak and pine hills, offers 35 campsites for tents and small trailers, including 8 walk-in sites. The adjacent Sand Lakes Quiet Area is perfect for nature enthusiasts, hikers and anglers. Guernsey Lake is 50 acres and has a maximum depth of 64" feet, and anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, brown trout, perch and sunfish.
From the campground, visitors can access the 8.5-mile Sand Lakes Quiet Area Pathway, a moderate looped trail with varied terrain, that connects to the North Country Trail. Nearby, you'll find the Muncie Lake Pathway and Vasa Pathway.
The campground is located 8 miles west of Kalkaska via Island Lake Road and Campground Road.
35 rustic campsites, $20 a night. 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 Traverse City State Park (231-922-5270).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 13° | -14° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 12° | -9° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 23° | 7° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 33° | 9° | 81° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 66° | 44° | 26° | 80° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 72° | 53° | 40° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 61° | 52° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 60° | 51° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 55° | 41° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 43° | 31° | 73° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 31° | 12° | 60° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 21° | 1° | 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
- Forks State Forest Campground · State Forest · 5 mi · 9 sites
- Rapid River Trail Camp · State Forest · 7 mi
- Schecks Place Trail Group Campground · State Forest · 7 mi
- Whitewater Township Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 8 mi · 55 sites
- Schecks Place State Forest Campground · State Forest · 8 mi · 30 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.