Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

Star4.65
84 reviews
Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower
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
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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."

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Campground Map

Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower

45.4908, -84.2664

Driving directionsLocated 11 miles north of Onaway via M-211, County Road 489, Black Mt. Road and Doriva Beach Road.
Access via M-211 and county/local roads (County Road 489, Black Mountain Road, Doriva Beach Road).
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: sandy beach, swimming, boating and full sites; 'sought-after destination' in summer.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.0 / 5

Forested hills imply good fall color and quieter camping, but fewer specific mentions in reviews.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Shoulder season offers quiet and access, though muddy/variable conditions likely; limited specific info.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Snowshoeing and winter trail use nearby noted, but campground is rustic and services limited in winter.

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.
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    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.
    HikingAccess to Black Mountain Recreation Area trails; Black Mountain Pathway access about one-third mile east of the campground.
    FishingBlack Lake supports musky, northern pike, panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass.
    SwimmingSandy swimming beach and shallow lake shoreline popular with families and children.
    Biking
    Boating
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    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

    Reviews

    4.7
    84 reviews
    Top-Rated
    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...
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    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;...
    Show more
    Based on 84 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "Favorite place to camp ❤️ Rustic bathroom."; "Huge lots! It's rustic, so pit toilets and no electricity or water."; "Sites along the lake were all claimed so we stayed in the upper campground. Sites...
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    Based on 84 reviews
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    Last updated February 2, 2026
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