How much does camping cost at Monocle Lake?

Camping fees at Monocle Lake range from $24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Monocle Lake first-come first-served or reservation?

Monocle Lake accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Monocle Lake before I book?

Yes! Monocle Lake has 13 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Monocle Lake?

Monocle Lake is open May 14 to September 12. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Monocle Lake?

Monocle Lake does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Monocle Lake have?

Monocle Lake has 41 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Monocle Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Monocle Lake. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Monocle Lake?

Monocle Lake offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Monocle Lake?

Popular activities at Monocle Lake include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Boating. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Monocle Lake

Q: Can I have a campfire at Monocle Lake?

Fire policies at Monocle Lake: Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.50

215 reviews

12600 E Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715, USA

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Michigan Pet-Friendly Campgrounds Michigan Best Campgrounds Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

696 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

41 campsites

Season

Open season starts M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Hiawatha National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

696 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

41 campsites

Season

Open season starts M...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Hiawatha National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Monocle Lake

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $24.00; TENT ONLY NONELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$24.00

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

906-203-9872

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

12600 E Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715, USA

Monocle Lake

12600 E Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715, USA

Nearby places

Bay Mills (6 miles, approximately 15 minutes), Sault Ste. Marie (25 miles, approximately 35 minutes), Tahquamenon Falls (35 miles, approximately 50 minutes)

Weather at Monocle Lake

Current alerts(4)

Click here for more information on the Hiawatha National Forest
Opening day for Monocle Lake has been postponed to June 12th, 2026, due to a Forest Service paving project. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
Reservations cannot be traded for walk up sites.
This location does not have an office. It has a self pay station. Reservations cannot be changed at this location.

Best Time to Camp at Monocle Lake

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather for lakeside recreation — expect daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F (roughly 65–78°F) with cool, breezy nights in the 40s–50s°F. This is peak season for swimming, boating, and casting for bass and pike on Monocle Lake, plus long daylight for hiking and wildlife viewing beneath the mixed hardwood canopy. Expect moderate crowds (busiest on July weekends) and full services from the campground between May 23 and September 14, so reserve or plan Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Peak season: warm lake temps, swimming, boating and busy but enjoyable per reviews.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 14 to September 12. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season starts May 23, 2025. Peak season ends September 14, 2025. No reservations available out of season.

About Monocle Lake

Monocle Lake sits within Hiawatha National Forest near Bay Mills, offering wooded tent and RV sites at the edge of a quiet inland lake. Operated by the Forest Service, the campground provides vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings for seasonal campers seeking fishing, swimming, and boating access. Large, private sites and proximity to Lake Superior and Tahquamenon Falls make it a practical base for exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Monocle Lake Campground provides both tent and RV camping options within a rustic setting. Sites are available for reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliable weather for lakeside recreation — expect daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-70s°F (roughly 65–78°F) with cool, breezy nights in the 40s–50s°F. This is peak season for swimming, boating, and casting for bass and pike on Monocle Lake, plus long daylight for hiking and wildlife viewing beneath the mixed hardwood canopy. Expect moderate crowds (busiest on July weekends) and full services from the campground between May 23 and September 14, so reserve or plan Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation696 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies mixed hardwood forest at 696 feet elevation, where quaking aspen, sugar maple, paper birch, and pines create a dense canopy. Monocle Lake sits at the heart of the campground, its waters stocked with man-made reefs that support bass and pike fishing. The forest provides heavy shade and visual screening between sites. Private residences occupy portions of the lakeshore, visible from some campsites, but the wooded buffer maintains a secluded atmosphere. Lake Superior's vast expanse lies nearby, influencing the local microclimate and offering access to landmarks like Point Iroquois Lighthouse two miles away.

Lodging & AccommodationsOnly campsite accommodations are provided at Monocle Lake; no hotel-style lodges or cabin rentals are available.

Programs & ActivitiesInterpretive displays along hiking trails provide educational opportunities. Nearby attractions like the Point Iroquois Lighthouse contribute to the cultural experience.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

You may stay up to 14 nights during a visit at this campground.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Standard campsite occupancy varies
exact maximum guest limit is not specified.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov.

AccessibilityAccessible vault toilets and an elevated boardwalk along the Monocle Lake Trail provide options for campers with disabilities.

Site SizeThe campsites are spacious, with some accommodating large RVs up to 43 feet in length. Site #1 is noted as particularly large, fitting a 35' fifth wheel and longbed crewcab dually.

PrivacyPrivacy is a key feature of this campground. Sites are well-separated, heavily wooded, and provide a sense of seclusion for campers.

Total Campsites41 campsites

Recommended SitesSites 11 and 32 are noted as less desirable due to size and location. Sites 21 and 34 are praised for privacy and space.

Best CampsitesSite 1 stands out for size, accommodating a 35-foot fifth wheel and longbed dually truck. Sites 3, 38, and 34 receive consistent praise in reviews. Some sites feature rockier ground that requires sturdy tent stakes.

Need help booking Monocle Lake?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Monocle Lake Campground offers a range of amenities designed for rustic camping. Facilities include heavily shaded single-family sites for tent and RV camping, equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets are available throughout the campground, as well as drinking water via hand-pump spigots.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Monocle Lake Campground offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Cultural and historic sites like the nearby Point Iroquois Lighthouse add educational value.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Cultural and Educational Programs

Winter Activities

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground; vault toilets are the primary restroom facilities.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Fire PolicyDon't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection is provided, but recycling information is not explicitly mentioned.

Cell CoverageLimited cell reception is reported, particularly for Verizon users. Some users have noted they needed to travel to Sault Ste. Marie for reliable service.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.5

215 reviews

Top-Rated

Monocle Lake is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Monocle Lake Campground highlight spacious sites, cleanliness, and excellent privacy. Many campers praise the friendly hosts and relaxing atmosphere. Concerns include generator noise and the lack of modern facilities like showers and hookups.

Review Summaries

Based on 215 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 215 reviews.

Site #38Loved
Site #38 is described as spacious and private, while site #32 was criticized as poorly located.
Site #1Mentioned
Site #1 is noted for accommodating large vehicles.

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include clean vault toilets, large wooded sites providing privacy, a peaceful and quiet environment, close proximity to attractions like Lake Superior and Tahquamenon Falls, and...

Based on 215 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints involve generator noise during non-quiet hours, limited cell phone reception, and early arrival fees, which charge for a full previous day.

Based on 215 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend reserving well ahead for popular weekends, exploring nearby attractions such as the Point Iroquois Lighthouse, and bringing appropriate tent stakes due to rocky ground at certain...

Based on 215 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are described as busy but enjoyable, with warm lake water and well-maintained facilities. Fall offers quieter camping experiences. Winter camping is not addressed.

Based on 215 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The vault toilets are the cleanest we have experienced during our camping tour of the Great Lakes.' 2. 'The sites are huge and very woodsy. We used site 38 and we barely even noticed that we had...

Based on 215 reviews

Accessibility Features

The campground's accessible boardwalk and vault toilets provide options for campers with disabilities. However, users with mobility restrictions may find uneven terrain challenging.

Based on 215 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Monocle Lake Campground is pet-friendly, with users mentioning positive experiences camping with their dogs.

Based on 215 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

You want a quiet, wooded base camp near Lake Superior with lake access and privacy between sites.

Skip if

You need RV hookups or want to avoid generator noise during daytime hours.

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Monocle Lake Campground

Monocle Lake Campground, Forest Rd. 3699, Michigan

Monocle Lake Campground sits on the southern shore of its namesake lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, 42 sites spread along a single loop through mixed hardwood forest. The campground operates in Hiawatha National Forest near Brimley, offering access to both the 172-acre lake and Lake Superior's shoreline. Sites cost $16–22 per night and accommodate RVs up to 30 feet.

Monocle Lake

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Overview

About the campground

Seasons & access

Facilities

Water activities

RV information

Directions

Plan a trip to Monocle Lake

Current alerts(4)

Best Time to Camp at Monocle Lake

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Need help booking Monocle Lake?

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns