State Forest · Michigan
Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 25
- Hookups
- 25 no hookups
- Season
- April 1 to November 20
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
- Elevation
- 853 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · AT&T weak · Verizon weak (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 989-733-8279
About
Nestled along the serene shores of the 40-acre Tomahawk Lake, the rustic campground offers 25 sites for tents and trailers of all sizes. There is a beautiful, sandy shoreline with picnic tables centrally located in the campground. Many visitors enjoy the opportunity to watch a variety of birds and wildlife that live near the lake, including elk, bear and whitetail deer.
Visitors also enjoy hiking along the High Country Pathway, which passes through the campground. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in the chance to spot elk, bear, whitetail deer, and a variety of birds that call the lake home.
The campground is located 13 miles southeast of Onaway via M-33 South and Tomahawk Lake Highway.
25 rustic campsites, $20 a night. Closed November 20 to April 1. 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 Onaway State Park (989-733-8279).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27° | 11° | -10° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 26° | 11° | -18° | 48° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 22° | 4° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 33° | 10° | 84° | 9 of 11 |
| May | 65° | 44° | 27° | 85° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 73° | 53° | 44° | 95° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 80° | 61° | 52° | 93° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 60° | 53° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 55° | 42° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 42° | 31° | 75° | 2 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 31° | 9° | 62° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 22° | -3° | 60° | 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
- Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 1 mi · 25 sites
- Tomahawk Creek Flooding State Forest Campground · State Forest · 1 mi · 47 sites
- Clear Lake – Upper and Lower Campgrounds · Michigan State Parks · 7 mi
- Jackson Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 10 mi · 18 sites
- Ess Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 12 mi · 27 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.