Shelley Lake Campground

4.30

40 reviews

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,017 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Open season from May...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station and District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,017 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

7 campsites

Season

Open season from May...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station and District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Shelley Lake Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees are $10 per night for all sites. No additional fees for amenities.

Standard Site Fee$10.00

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

(231) 745-4631

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.30

Satisfactory

Based on 40 reviews

35 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietwaterlakesites

"User reviews indicate Shelley Lake Campground is a peaceful and rustic destination best suited for individual or small group campers who appreciate natural settings. Reviews highlight fishing, kayaking, and the serenity of the environment, although some negatives include proximity to the highway and lack of maintenance."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Shelley Lake Campground

650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304

Driving directionsFrom White Cloud - Travel north on M-37 for 10 miles. Turn right and travel east on FR 5450 for 0.5 miles. Follow the primitive road to the site.

Access road is primitive and unpaved. The campground is well off the main road, and although close to M-37, forest road 5450 can be challenging for some vehicles. Not maintained in winter.

Nearby places

White Cloud (approximately 10 miles

15 minutes by car)

Nearby supplies

Nearest supplies can be found in White Cloud, approximately 10 miles away, including grocery stores and gas stations.

Best Time to Camp at Shelley Lake Campground

Experience the full spectrum of Michigan's seasons at Shelley Lake, where each visit paints a different portrait of natural beauty. Summer transforms the campground into a warm haven, with temperatures hovering around a comfortable 75°F and minimal rainfall creating perfect conditions for lakeside adventures. As autumn arrives, the surrounding hardwoods burst into a spectacular display of reds and golds. Winter brings a profound stillness to the unmaintained campground, blanketing the landscape in snow and solitude. Spring awakens the forest with fresh growth and the return of migrating birds, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts seeking renewal.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open and busy in summer; fishing and kayaking are peak activities with positive reviews.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Forest setting and campground open through Oct 31; fall foliage and quiet expected.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Opens May 1; late spring fishing season yields positive reviews, early spring closed.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground not maintained in off‑season; limited winter access despite ice fishing possibility.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 1 to October 31; peak during summer months and fishing season.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season from May 1 to October 31. Campground is not maintained in the off-season.
Current Alerts: None mentioned.

About Shelley Lake Campground

Tucked away in the heart of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, Shelley Lake Campground offers an intimate escape into nature with just seven thoughtfully placed sites, including two secluded walk-in spots perfect for tent camping purists. This rustic gem invites you to disconnect from the modern world—no hookups, no potable water, just you and the pristine wilderness. The centerpiece is a tranquil 15-acre lake that beckons anglers and kayakers alike, its calm waters reflecting the surrounding oak and maple canopy. Here, the only sounds you'll hear are paddling oars cutting through glassy water and the gentle rustle of leaves overhead.

Shelley Lake Campground consists of rustic campsites with options for tent camping and walk-in sites. It is suitable for small campers but lacks amenities for RVs or large groups.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the full spectrum of Michigan's seasons at Shelley Lake, where each visit paints a different portrait of natural beauty. Summer transforms the campground into a warm haven, with temperatures hovering around a comfortable 75°F and minimal rainfall creating perfect conditions for lakeside adventures. As autumn arrives, the surrounding hardwoods burst into a spectacular display of reds and golds. Winter brings a profound stillness to the unmaintained campground, blanketing the landscape in snow and solitude. Spring awakens the forest with fresh growth and the return of migrating birds, making it ideal for nature enthusiasts seeking renewal.

ElevationNestled within the gently rolling terrain of Michigan's forested heartland, the campground sits comfortably among mature hardwoods that have stood sentinel for generations. The natural topography creates intimate camping spaces while maintaining easy access to the lake's edge.

Natural Features and SceneryShelley Lake Campground showcases the understated beauty of Michigan's northern forests, where towering oaks and maples create a living cathedral above your campsite. The star attraction, Shelley Lake, stretches across 15 pristine acres with crystal-clear waters reaching depths of up to 15 feet—shallow enough to wade in spots yet deep enough to harbor a healthy fish population. Morning mist often dances across the lake's surface, while afternoons bring dappled sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. Wildlife thrives here, from deer quietly browsing at dawn to great blue herons stalking the shallows, creating endless opportunities for nature observation and photography.

Geological RegionSituated within the vast Huron-Manistee National Forests ecosystem, Shelley Lake represents a perfect example of Michigan's glacially carved landscape. The shallow basin that cradles the 15-acre lake was sculpted by ancient ice sheets, leaving behind this jewel-like body of water with its gentle 15-foot maximum depth. The surrounding forest floor tells the story of centuries of oak and maple dominance, their deep roots anchored in the rich, well-drained soils typical of this region. This geological heritage has created an ideal habitat where water, forest, and earth converge in perfect harmony.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Open 24 hours a day
no specific check-in time.

Check-out

Open 24 hours a day
no specific check-out time.

Stay Limit

No explicit stay limit mentioned.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No explicit guest limits mentioned.

Groups

Group camping is not supported
the campground is best suited for small groups or individuals.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground consists of 7 rustic sites, with two walk-in sites accessible via a footbridge. Sites are relatively spread out, providing privacy.

Reservation PlatformsNot available for reservations; first-come-first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system.

Cancellation PolicyWalk-in only; reservations are not available.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned for Shelley Lake Campground.

Site SizeThe sites are small and rustic, suitable for tents and small campers. "Great little campground, they only have a few sites u can get into with a camper but there are walk-in sites for tents," according to Billy Bob.

PrivacySites are mostly spread out and secluded, but two are clustered together. "Sites are mostly spread out, 2 are together," notes Ari Adler.

Total Campsites7 campsites

Recommended SitesIf privacy and proximity to water are important, campsite #3 is recommended. Walk-in tent sites provide additional seclusion.

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Shelley Lake Campground provides opportunities for rustic recreational activities like fishing, kayaking, non-motorized and motorized boating, and hunting in the surrounding forests. "Small lake for kayaking and recreational fishing," notes user Ari Adler.

FishingFishing is a highlight here, with opportunities for lake and pond fishing, as well as ice fishing in winter. Kesha Dowdell enthusiastically states, "Great fishing!! Has several different kinds of fish to catch."

BoatingBoth non-motorized and motorized boating are possible on the lake. The shallow lake (15 feet at its deepest) accommodates small boats only.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include close proximity to water, broken glass as mentioned in user reviews, and seasonal wildlife.

Active AlertsNone mentioned.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyNo specific fire policies mentioned.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours not explicitly stated.

Emergency ServicesBaldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station and District (Address: 650 North Michigan Ave. Baldwin, MI 49304, Phone: (231) 745-4631)

Trash & RecyclingNo advanced trash or recycling facilities were noted in the official records or user reviews.

Water FeaturesShelley Lake is adjacent to the campground, offering opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and small boating. Maximum depth of the lake is 15 feet.

Camp HostNo campground host information available.

Weather at Shelley Lake Campground

Reviews

4.3

40 reviews

Satisfactory

Shelley Lake Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews indicate Shelley Lake Campground is a peaceful and rustic destination best suited for individual or small group campers who appreciate natural settings. Reviews highlight fishing, kayaking, and the serenity of the environment, although some negatives include proximity to the highway and lack of maintenance.

Review Summaries

Based on 40 reviews

What Campers Love

Users praise the campground's seclusion and quiet atmosphere, as well as its proximity to a small lake ideal for fishing and kayaking. Alex H mentions, "Secluded and a few nice camp sites on the...

Based on 40 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints include lack of maintenance (e.g., trash and broken glass), limited site availability, and basic restroom facilities. User Kodi Veldheer says, "The site was trashed when we got there. It...

Based on 40 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing trash bags to clean up sites and choosing walk-in tent sites for the best experience. Stefanie DeYoung recommends campsite #3, describing it as "a walk in surrounded by...

Based on 40 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Positive reviews are most common during fishing season, and some quieter experiences are reported in summer. However, winter conditions can limit access due to unmaintained roads and lack of...

Based on 40 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful little spot away from it all. Fully rustic and first come first serve." - Liberty Belle; "Pit toilets available. $10 per night." - Ari Adler; "Small boats only and no actual swim beach." -...

Based on 40 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite #3 is frequently mentioned for its unique location surrounded by water. "Campsite #3 is a walk in surrounded by water, very cool spot," says Stefanie DeYoung. Conversely, a review mentions...

Based on 40 reviews