Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper

Star4.30
23 reviews
Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

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Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Michigan
Provider
(906) 353-6558

What Campers Say

4.30

Satisfactory

Based on 23 reviews

23 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefullakesites

Some mention

bugsmosquitoes

"Reviews are generally positive: visitors praise the scenic, quiet lakefront setting, large sites, and good paddling/fishing access. Common criticisms focus on primitive facilities (vault toilets, no hookups), bugs, and rough access roads."

Read all reviews


Best Time to Camp at Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper

The Upper Peninsula's four distinct seasons each bring their own character to Big Lake. Fall transforms the campground into a waterfowl hunter's paradise, with increased activity as ducks and geese follow their ancient migration routes overhead. Summer and late spring bring warm days perfect for paddling—just pack your bug spray, as mosquitoes and their friends consider this prime real estate too. Come prepared for U.P. weather's famous unpredictability, and you'll be rewarded with an authentic northwoods experience.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

    About Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper

    Tucked along the peaceful eastern shore of Big Lake, this intimate Upper Peninsula retreat offers the kind of quiet that only Michigan's northwoods can deliver. Whether you're launching a kayak at dawn, casting for your dinner, or using it as base camp for ORV adventures on the nearby Baraga Plains Trail, this rustic getaway puts you right where the forest meets the water.
    Rustic, primarily tent and small‑trailer lakefront camping on 15 sites; first‑come, first‑served (no reservations).
    Weather and SeasonsThe Upper Peninsula's four distinct seasons each bring their own character to Big Lake. Fall transforms the campground into a waterfowl hunter's paradise, with increased activity as ducks and geese follow their ancient migration routes overhead. Summer and late spring bring warm days perfect for paddling—just pack your bug spray, as mosquitoes and their friends consider this prime real estate too. Come prepared for U.P. weather's famous unpredictability, and you'll be rewarded with an authentic northwoods experience.
    Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking up beneath a canopy of mature northwoods trees, with Big Lake's gentle waters just steps from your tent. Several campsites nestle right against the shoreline, where you can sip your morning coffee watching mist rise off the glassy surface. This is a paddler's and angler's lake—calm, scenic, and blissfully free from the roar of heavy motorboat traffic. The forest wraps around you in that classic Upper Peninsula way: quiet, shaded, and utterly peaceful.
    Geological RegionWestern Upper Peninsula (Baraga County)
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsites15 campsites

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
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    Reserving a campsite

    Stay Limit
    15-day maximum stay
    Tents
    Tents are allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are not allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (note: campground is first-come, first-served; no reservations)

    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Vault toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    Quiet lakeside, multi‑use setting: paddling and small‑boat use, fishing, hiking access (North Country Trail noted nearby), ORV trail access and seasonal hunting opportunities.
    Hiking
    North Country Trail connects to/near the campground (visitor reports).
    Fishing
    Fishing on Big Lake for perch, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass (sources also mention walleye in reviews).
    Swimming
    Swimming from the shoreline; a sand beach can appear when lake levels are lower (noted by visitors).
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed
    • Fire rings/fire pits provided at sites (reviewers noted fire pits at each site); follow posted fire regulations.
    • Quiet hours are Obey posted quiet hours; expect some ORV noise when trails are active.

    Hazards

    General hazardsSeasonal ORV and snowmobile noise when trails are active; fall hunting activity nearby (observe safety zones); insects can be intense in warm months; remote location with potentially limited cell coverage and variable road conditions (muddy/gravel).

    Weather at Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper

    29
    °F
    Dec 26
    Friday
    Light freezing drizzle
    Precipitation: 0.4%
    Humidity: 79%
    Wind: 10.5 mph
    Light freezing drizzle

    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

    Detailed 7-Day Forecast
    Powered by AI weather analysis
    Reveal forecast

    Good to know

    Common complaintsPrimitive/limited amenities (no electricity, no showers, no dump station); vault toilets sometimes infrequently pumped; heavy mosquitoes/bugs in season; muddy/rough park road and tight access for large rigs reported by some visitors.

    Campground Map

    Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper
    Driving directionsLocated on the east shore of Big Lake. From M-28 drive north on Baraga Plains Road; the junction is 5.5 miles west of the US-41 and M-28/US-141 junction. Continue north on Baraga Plains Road (paved) ~5 miles, then right on Big Lake Road (gravel) ~3 miles. The campground is about 9.2 miles north of Covington via M-28 West, West Plains Road and Big Lake Road.
    Accessible from M-28 via Baraga Plains Road (paved) and Big Lake Road (gravel); final approach includes unpaved/gravel roads.
    Nearby places
    Covington – ~9.2 miles

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.3
    23 reviews
    Satisfactory
    Satisfactory
    Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviews are generally positive: visitors praise the scenic, quiet lakefront setting, large sites, and good paddling/fishing access. Common criticisms focus on primitive facilities (vault toilets, no hookups), bugs, and rough access roads.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 23 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Beautiful, peaceful lakefront; large well‑spaced sites (several lakefront); good fishing and paddling; picnic tables and fire pits at sites; potable hand‑pump well available.
    Based on 23 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Arrive early (first‑come, first‑served); bring water or extra water, toilet paper, and bug protection (screen porch/head net recommended); small boats only; expect a remote location and limited...
    Show more
    Based on 23 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    “Great campground, beautiful lake.”; “Very nice campground if you like to rough it.”
    Based on 23 reviews

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    Last updated December 13, 2025
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