Is Avery Lake State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Avery Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Avery Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Avery Lake State Forest Campground has 2 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.

Are there showers at Avery Lake State Forest Campground?

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

How many campsites does Avery Lake State Forest Campground have?

Avery Lake State Forest Campground has 16 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Avery Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Avery Lake State Forest Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Avery Lake State Forest Campground?

Avery Lake State Forest Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Avery Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Avery Lake State Forest Campground include Fishing, Swimming, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Avery Lake State Forest Campground

4.17

63 reviews

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

968 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

968 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Avery Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Overnight fees ($20 for most sites) and registration procedures are posted at the information kiosk at each campground.

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(989) 785-4388

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Avery Lake State Forest Campground

44.9317, -84.1871

Nearby places

Atlanta (9 miles SW)

Weather at Avery Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Avery Lake State Forest Campground

Summer is the sweet spot here, with daytime highs in the 75–85°F range and nights dropping to 55–65°F. The lake is warm enough for swimming, and weather is stable for boating and fishing. Bugs (especially mosquitoes) are common in warm months. Arrive early on weekends if you want a lakeshore site. The campground is remote, so plan for limited cell service regardless of season.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is the 'sweet spot' with 75–85°F days; lake warm for swimming and stable boating/fishing weather.

Planning Tips

About Avery Lake State Forest Campground

Avery Lake State Forest Campground offers 16 rustic sites on a quiet lake in northern Lower Peninsula forest, including three walk-in beach sites with direct water access. The campground is first-come, first-served with vault toilets and hand-pump water. It fills quickly on summer weekends.

Rustic, first-come-first-served campground with 16 sites for tent camping and small trailers; three walk-in tent-only lakeside sites; 15-day maximum stay.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the sweet spot here, with daytime highs in the 75–85°F range and nights dropping to 55–65°F. The lake is warm enough for swimming, and weather is stable for boating and fishing. Bugs (especially mosquitoes) are common in warm months. Arrive early on weekends if you want a lakeshore site. The campground is remote, so plan for limited cell service regardless of season.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground wraps around Avery Lake's shoreline at 968 feet elevation, with mixed hardwood forest providing shade and privacy. Several sites sit directly on the water, making it easy to launch a kayak, swim, or fish from your campsite. A small beach and boat launch provide lake access. The forest canopy is dense enough to create real seclusion between sites. Wildlife viewing is best at dawn and dusk.

Geological RegionMontmorency County, northern Lower Peninsula

Scenic ViewsWooded lake views from many sites; several sites are lakefront or close to the water and the walk-in tent sites offer direct beach access and shoreline views.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (Michigan DNR reservation platform) — note: this campground is NOT reservable; sites are first-come, first-serve.

Total Campsites16 campsites

Best CampsitesThe three walk-in beach tent sites are the most sought-after for privacy and direct shoreline access. Several drive-in sites also sit on or near the lake and offer easier gear access if you're bringing a boat or heavier equipment.

Amenities available

There are 16 sites for tent and small trailer use, 10 of which will accommodate a 40-foot long vehicle or trailer, and three walk-in, tent-only sites. There are vault toilets. Potable (drinking) water is available from a hand-pump well. No electrical available.

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Small, rustic lakeside campground offering fishing, paddling/boating, wildlife viewing and access to nearby ORV routes and state land for hunting. On-site amenities include a boat launch, picnic area and lakeside access.

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsTypical lakeside/forest hazards apply: insects (mosquitoes, ticks), wildlife, and remoteness with limited on-site services. ORV traffic on nearby roads/trails may create occasional noise or dust; hunting is allowed on surrounding state lands (observe hunting safety rules).

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.

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

4.2

63 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive (many 5-star comments), highlighting a secluded, well-maintained, scenic lakeside campground with clean vault toilets and large, private sites.

Review Summaries

Based on 63 reviews

What Campers Love

Beautiful, quiet lake setting with good boat launch and lakeside access; well-maintained and clean campground and outhouses; several large, private sites and three desirable walk-in beach tent sites.

Based on 63 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early for best site selection (first-come, first-served). Bring necessary supplies and drinking water containers due to limited on-site services. Expect bugs in warm months and limited cell...

Based on 63 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful"; "Very well taken care of."; "Rustic, small. Perfect for privacy."; "Amazing campground bathrooms but no shower right on the lake."

Based on 63 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Tent campers who can arrive Friday morning on a summer weekend will find the walk-in beach sites worth the hustle. Kayakers and swimmers get immediate lake access; bass, perch, and walleye round out the fishing, with the Thunder Bay River nearby as backup.

Skip if

No showers, no hookups, no dump station, and spotty cell service rule this out for RV travelers expecting any services. Fishing reviews are mixed, and the campground fills fast with no way to reserve ahead.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

3.9

(19)

Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground

Little Wolf Lake State Forest Campground sits on a wooded shoreline 3 miles southeast of Lewiston in Montmorency County. The 24 first-come, first-served sites remain rustic: vault toilets, hand-pump well water, and a 15-day maximum stay. Launch a kayak from your campsite or fish the shoreline without motors or crowds, especially midweek.