Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

4.65

84 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping Michigan

Quick Facts

728 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026

Quick Facts

728 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026

Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

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

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Michigan

Provider

(231) 627-2811

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What Campers Say

4.65

Top-Rated

Based on 84 reviews

73 Google reviews

Most mentioned

hikingwaterlakebeach

Some mention

noise

"Reviewers consistently praise the lakefront setting, large sites, and rustic, quiet character of the Lower campground; many 5-star comments highlight swimming, boating and family-friendly shallow water. Common negatives mentioned in reviews include lack of hookups/showers, occasional generator noise, and variable on-site management or nearby noise."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

45.4908, -84.2664

Nearby places

Onaway (~11 miles)

Nearby supplies

Onaway and Cheboygan (small towns offering supplies, fuel and dining).

Best Time to Camp at Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

Summer transforms this campground into a sought-after destination, with weekends often seeing every site claimed by early arrivals eager to secure their spot on the lake. While the campground welcomes visitors throughout the warmer months (specific seasonal dates vary), your best strategy for snagging a site is arriving early in the week or coming prepared with backup plans during peak summer season.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer is peak season: sandy beach, swimming, boating and full campsites on weekends reported.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring offers access to trails and early-season lake use, but amenities are basic and crowds increase toward summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Forested rolling hills likely offer good fall color and quieter visits, though explicit fall reviews are limited.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Snowshoeing/trail use mentioned, but campground is rustic with limited winter amenities and unclear availability.

Planning Tips

About Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

Escape to the peaceful northern shore of Black Lake at this rustic, first-come-first-serve campground featuring 17 sites nestled among towering hardwoods. With its back-to-basics charm—vault toilets, potable water, and a welcome break from ORV noise—this lower unit offers the perfect summer retreat for campers seeking tranquility on Michigan's seventh-largest inland lake.

Rustic, first-come/first-served campground with tent and trailer-capable sites and no reservation option for the Lower unit.

Weather and SeasonsSummer transforms this campground into a sought-after destination, with weekends often seeing every site claimed by early arrivals eager to secure their spot on the lake. While the campground welcomes visitors throughout the warmer months (specific seasonal dates vary), your best strategy for snagging a site is arriving early in the week or coming prepared with backup plans during peak summer season.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking up to sunlight dancing across Black Lake's expansive waters, framed by rolling hills blanketed in mixed hardwood forest. Your campsite sits just steps from a sandy beach where you can launch your boat or kayak to explore nearly 10,000 acres of pristine water. Anglers will find themselves in pursuit of trophy northern pike and elusive muskellunge, while paddlers can spend hours discovering quiet coves and scenic shorelines. The combination of forest shade, lakefront access, and natural beauty creates an idyllic northern Michigan experience.

Geological RegionNorthern Lower Peninsula; Cheboygan County state forest setting with rolling hills and mixed hardwood forest along Black Lake.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Lakefront, rustic campground offering paddling, boating, fishing and swimming access on Black Lake, plus trail access to the nearby Black Mountain Recreation Area for hiking, mountain biking and snowshoeing. Hunting access to surrounding state forest lands is noted in park material.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRustic facilities (vault toilets, no hookups), potential strong winds on the lake, and occasional visitor-reported issues such as poison ivy and generator noise. ORV traffic/noise originates from the Upper unit.

Weather at Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

Trip Planning Tools

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

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.7

84 reviews

Top-Rated

Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the lakefront setting, large sites, and rustic, quiet character of the Lower campground; many 5-star comments highlight swimming, boating and family-friendly shallow water. Common negatives mentioned in reviews include lack of hookups/showers, occasional generator noise, and variable on-site management or nearby noise.

Review Summaries

Based on 84 reviews

What Campers Love

Beautiful lakefront sites and sandy beach; roomy/large campsites (many users describe sites as 'huge'); good swimming for kids due to shallow water; close trail access for hiking, mountain biking and...

Based on 84 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early on summer weekends—sites are first-come, first-served and fill quickly. Bring water/ supplies and be prepared for vault toilets and no hookups. Use the Upper unit if you need ORV access;...

Based on 84 reviews

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Last updated March 8, 2026

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