Lake Nineteen Campsite

Star3.60
12 reviews
8181 US HWY 2, RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, Rapid River, MI 49878, USA

Quick Facts

804 ft

Price

$8/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

1 campsites

Season

Open for reservation...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Lake Nineteen Campsite
$8.00 - $8.00 / night
Campsite Fees
The nightly rate for a tent-only nonelectric site is $8. Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, taxes, or incremental charges.
Standard Site Fee$8.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
906-474-6442.
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What Campers Say

3.60

Mixed Reviews

Based on 12 reviews

1 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peaceful

"User reviews for Lake Nineteen Campsite are highly mixed. Some reviewers appreciate the pristine and secluded nature of the site, while others highlight issues such as inaccessible trails, lack of maintenance, and unfulfilled expectations for fishing activities."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

8181 US HWY 2, RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, Rapid River, MI 49878, USA

Lake Nineteen Campsite

8181 US HWY 2, RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, Rapid River, MI 49878, USA

Driving directionsFrom the intersection of US-2 and Forest Highway 13 (about 14 miles east of Rapid River): drive north 18.7 miles on Highway 13 to County Road 440. Turn right (east) on CR 440 and drive 4.6 miles to FR 2733. Turn left (north) and drive 1.3 miles to the parking area.
The road access is firm but steep, especially at the boat access point, which requires trailers to be backed down to the lake. Parking is restricted to a small area at the top of the hill.
Nearby places
Rapid River (14 miles, approximately 20-minute drive)
Nearby supplies
Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, boat rentals, ice, licenses, deli, and restaurants are available approximately six miles away on Forest Highway 13.

Best Time to Camp at Lake Nineteen Campsite

From late spring through early fall, Lake Nineteen transforms into a camper's paradise, with pleasantly moderate temperatures and refreshingly low humidity creating perfect conditions for outdoor adventures. Summer days invite long hours of fishing and exploring, while crisp autumn mornings paint the surrounding hardwoods in brilliant golds and reds. When winter arrives, the landscape shifts dramatically as heavy snowfall blankets the forest in pristine white, making this a fair-weather destination best enjoyed between May and September when nature shows its gentler side.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Open May–Oct; pleasant temps and active season, but more visitors and maintenance complaints arise in summer.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Mature hardwoods imply strong fall color; quieter shoulder season likely improves solitude and scenery.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open from mid-May; late spring offers good temps but trail usability and maintenance issues are reported.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is closed outside May 15–Oct 9, so winter rating not applicable.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 15 - October 9, 2025.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open for reservations from May 15 - October 9, with reservable dates starting June 21.
  • Current Alerts: User reviews mention difficulty finding the site due to poorly maintained trails and signage.

About Lake Nineteen Campsite

Tucked away on the eastern shore of a pristine 26-acre trout lake, Lake Nineteen Campsite beckons those who crave authentic wilderness experiences. This semi-primitive retreat within the Hiawatha National Forest delivers exactly what solitude-seekers dream of: rustic charm without the crowds, crystal-clear waters teeming with trout, and the kind of profound quiet that only comes from being truly removed from civilization. Here, your closest neighbors are the whispering pines and the occasional splash of a jumping fish.
Lake Nineteen Campsite is a rustic, primitive site designed for tent camping. It is the only designated campsite on the eastern shore of Lake Nineteen. The site is best suited for campers seeking a secluded and semi-primitive experience.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
11:00 AM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Limit
14-day stay limit during any single visit.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

The Lake Nineteen Campsite offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and berry picking. However, the swimming area is noted to be in poor condition.
HikingThe campsite is located approximately 2.5 miles from the Pine Marten Run Middle Trailhead, and hiking trails are accessible from this area. However, users have reported challenges with trail maintenance, and some trails are noted to be in disrepair.
FishingFishing is available at Lake Nineteen, which has been stocked with rainbow trout. However, recent user reviews mention that the lake primarily contains panfish and no longer maintains its former reputation for trout fishing.
SwimmingWhile swimming is an option, the swimming area is described as being in poor condition.
BoatingBoating access is available, but the boat launch is steep, and trailers must be backed down to the lake. There is no turn-around area at the base of the hill.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo toilets or drinking water available. The swimming area is noted to be in poor condition. Steep boat access requires caution; parking is limited.
Active AlertsUser reviews mention difficulty finding the site due to poorly maintained trails and signage.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Lake Nineteen Campsite

Reviews

3.6
12 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Lake Nineteen Campsite has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews for Lake Nineteen Campsite are highly mixed. Some reviewers appreciate the pristine and secluded nature of the site, while others highlight issues such as inaccessible trails, lack of maintenance, and unfulfilled expectations for fishing activities.
Review Summaries
Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

Reviewers who enjoyed their stay noted the beautiful and peaceful surroundings. One reviewer described it as "a beautiful spot in an amazing area."
Based on 12 reviews

Common Concerns

Multiple users expressed frustration with inadequate trail maintenance and difficulty accessing the site. For example, one user wrote, "We spent the whole first night trying to find it and around...
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Based on 12 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers are advised to bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water, as none is provided on-site. It's also recommended to confirm trail access and navigation ahead of time to avoid...
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Based on 12 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Seasonal reviews suggest potential usability challenges due to trail conditions. Summers may attract more visitors, and this is when most negative reviews about maintenance were recorded.
Based on 12 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We were never able to find the site because the trail that went around was almost nonexistent." "It was a beautiful spot in an amazing area." "The lake has no trout, only panfish."
Based on 12 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The single site, numbered 001, is the focus of all reviews. Feedback varies, with some emphasizing its beauty and others criticizing its inaccessibility and lack of upkeep.
Based on 12 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific reviews address accessibility for individuals with disabilities, but the site is generally described as challenging to access.
Based on 12 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific mentions of pet-related policies or experiences are found in the reviews.
Based on 12 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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