Kneff Lake Campground

Star4.60
55 reviews
Kneff Lake Campground, Crawford County, MI
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,198 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

27 campsites

Season

Open season runs fro...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Huron-Manistee National Forests site

Official Website
Get Directions
Kneff Lake Campground
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Camping fees are set at $15 per night for single sites. No other fee schedules were provided.
Standard Site Fee$15.00
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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
USFS
Provider
(989) 826-3252
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.60

Top-Rated

Based on 55 reviews

53 Google reviews

Most mentioned

cleanlakebeach

Some mention

unlevel

"User reviews paint a mixed picture of Kneff Lake Campground, with generally positive sentiments about its rustic charm, clean amenities, and serene atmosphere. However, some users report issues with unlevel sites and overly strict camp hosts."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Kneff Lake Campground, Crawford County, MI

Kneff Lake Campground

Kneff Lake Campground, Crawford County, MI

Driving directionsFrom Grayling, travel east on M-72 for 6.5 miles. Turn right and travel south on Stephan Bridge Rd. for 1 mile. Turn left and travel east on FR 4003 and drive about 1 mile.
Road access includes paved sections followed by gravel roads. The campground can be challenging to access during rainy conditions, as noted in user reviews about the gravel road becoming soft after rainfall.
Nearby places
Grayling (approximately 7.5 miles, 15-minute drive)
Wakeley Lake Area (distance unspecified)
Mio (distance unspecified, houses ranger station)
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies including groceries and fuel are likely in Grayling, Michigan, approximately 7.5 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Kneff Lake Campground

Each season paints Kneff Lake in dramatically different hues. Summer arrives with gentle warmth and endless blue skies, creating perfect conditions for lakeside adventures and starlit evenings around the campfire. As autumn approaches, the surrounding forest erupts in brilliant colors. Winter transforms the landscape into a hushed wonderland of snow and ice, while spring brings renewal—and occasional rains that soften the forest roads, reminding visitors they've truly left the pavement behind.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer offers ideal conditions for swimming, boating, fishing and stargazing.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Fall is quieter and scenic but may see more rain and fewer services.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.0 / 5
Top 14% in MI

Spring trout stocking makes it a prime season for anglers; water is clear and cool.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground is closed outside May 1–Sep 30 (gated when closed).

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: May 1 - September 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open season runs from May 1 to September 30. Campground is gated when closed.
  • Current Alerts: No active alerts are currently listed.

About Kneff Lake Campground

Tucked away in the heart of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, Kneff Lake Campground beckons those seeking an authentic wilderness escape. This intimate, rustic retreat wraps around a pristine trout-stocked lake, where accessible sandy beaches meet crystal-clear waters. With its thoughtful blend of paved and natural dirt campsites, the campground has earned a devoted following among families who return year after year, drawn by its remarkable tranquility and the promise of memorable moments in nature's embrace.
Kneff Lake Campground offers primitive, tent, and RV camping. Sites are divided into two loops, with the first loop featuring paved spots for RVs and the second loop offering dirt sites primarily for tents and small campers.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Open 24 hours a day
Check-out
Open 24 hours a day
Stay Limit
Camping in developed recreation areas is limited to 14 consecutive days unless posted otherwise.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Kneff Lake focus on outdoor recreation, including fishing, swimming, picnicking, and non-motorized boating. The lake is stocked with trout, making it a popular spot for anglers. A sandy beach provides a relaxing swimming area, and users frequently note its accessibility and quality.
FishingFishing is a highlight at Kneff Lake, with the lake being stocked with rainbow trout in the spring. Users like Heather Hatfield praise the fishing experience but note the lake gets deep very quickly.
SwimmingThe campground features a sandy beach for swimming. Users describe the area as handicap accessible with a ramp and note that the lake is spring-fed, with rumors that the bottom has never been found.
BoatingNon-motorized boating is permitted. Users mention bringing rafts to enjoy floating on the lake.
Beach activitiesBeach activities are a favorite among visitors, with a sandy beach providing opportunities for swimming and relaxation.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include deep water at the beach and unlevel campsites, particularly for tent campers. Gravel roads can be challenging during rain.
Active AlertsNo active alerts are currently listed.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Kneff Lake Campground

Reviews

4.6
55 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Kneff Lake Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews paint a mixed picture of Kneff Lake Campground, with generally positive sentiments about its rustic charm, clean amenities, and serene atmosphere. However, some users report issues with unlevel sites and overly strict camp hosts.
Review Summaries
Based on 55 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive aspects include clean vault toilets, a beautiful lake with a sandy beach, handicap accessibility, and opportunities for fishing and swimming. Users like Heather Hatfield and Michael Donegan...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints involve unlevel campsites, occasional noisy neighbors, and overly strict rules enforced by camp hosts, as highlighted by Kim Rossell.
Based on 55 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring a generator for rustic camping and be aware of strict rules. Users recommend the first loop for RVs and the second loop for tents and small campers.
Based on 55 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is open from May 1 to September 30. Seasonal trends highlight spring and summer as ideal for fishing and swimming, while fall provides a quiet atmosphere but may involve rainy...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. "Rustic camping at its finest. A quiet relaxing campground. Fun beach around the lake." - Heather Hatfield. 2. "Nice cozy campground. The lake has a great beach in the day-use area." - Mike...
Show more
Based on 55 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The first loop is recommended for RVs, with paved spots, while the second loop is better suited for tents and small campers, featuring dirt sites.
Based on 55 reviews

Accessibility Features

Users like Plum Health DPC and Zach Most appreciate the handicap-accessible beach and other features.
Based on 55 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews specifically addressing pet policies or pet-related experiences.
Based on 55 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Kneff Lake Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated January 13, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Michigan

Campgrounds
Huron-Manistee National Forests
Kneff Lake Campground