Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower
4.6773 reviewsBlack Lake State Forest Campground-Lower
Featured in:RV Camping Michigan
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
17 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
17 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsBlack 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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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Michigan
Provider(231) 627-2811
What Campers Say
4.67
Top-Rated
Based on 73 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."
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.
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 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.
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Campsite details
Total Campsites17 campsites
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 are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com
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
Access to Black Mountain Recreation Area trails; Black Mountain Pathway access about one-third mile east of the campground.Fishing
Black Lake supports musky, northern pike, panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass.Swimming
Sandy swimming beach and shallow lake shoreline popular with families and children.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
General hazardsRustic 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
24
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 10.7 mph
Overcast
Weather History
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Good to know
Common complaintsNo showers or electrical hookups (rustic facilities only); occasional noise issues (generators, nearby bar/band) and a few reports of poor management. A reviewer noted the campground phone number listed on Google was incorrect.
Campground Map
Black Lake State Forest Campground-Lower
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).
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.7
73 reviews
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 73 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 73 reviewsShow more
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 73 reviewsShow more
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...
Based on 73 reviewsShow more
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Last updated December 13, 2025
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