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

Carney 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 Carney Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Carney Lake State Forest Campground has 7 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 Carney Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Is there cell service at Carney Lake State Forest Campground?

Cell phone service at Carney Lake State Forest Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Carney Lake State Forest Campground have?

Carney 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 Carney Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Carney 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 Carney Lake State Forest Campground?

Carney 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 Carney Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Carney Lake State Forest Campground

4.20

38 reviews

Peace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,161 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan DNR

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,161 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

16 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan DNR

Get Directions

Carney Lake State Forest Campground

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

(906) 875-3324

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What Campers Say

4.20

Satisfactory

Based on 38 reviews

30 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietlakesites

"Visitors consistently praise the campground as a quiet, scenic, rustic spot with several lakeside sites and large, private campsites. Most reviews are highly positive (many 5-star), highlighting solitude, lake access, and overall natural setting."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Carney Lake State Forest Campground

45.8923, -87.9412

Nearby places

Iron Mountain — about 14 miles

Nearby supplies

Iron Mountain (approx. 14 miles)

Best Time to Camp at Carney Lake State Forest Campground

Summer is the reliable window here. Daytime highs run 65–80°F, nights drop to the 45–55°F range, and the lake is warm enough for swimming. Fishing, canoeing, and hiking are all at their peak. Spring thaw and rain can turn the access road into a muddy slog that's hard on vehicles. Fall mornings are crisp and colorful, but the campground operates seasonally. Contact the local forest service for exact dates. Weekends in summer draw moderate crowds, so arrive early if you want a lakefront site.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer described as the reliable window; lake warm enough for swimming; peak activities.

Planning Tips

About Carney Lake State Forest Campground

Carney Lake State Forest Campground sits on a small inland lake in Dickinson County's mixed hardwood-conifer forest, about 25 miles north of Iron Mountain. The 16 primitive sites are first-come, first-served, with roughly half claiming lakefront positions. Expect vault toilets, potable water, and a boat launch. Cell service is spotty.

Rustic state forest campground with 16 sites for tent and small trailer use; first-come, first-served; 15-day maximum stay.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the reliable window here. Daytime highs run 65–80°F, nights drop to the 45–55°F range, and the lake is warm enough for swimming. Fishing, canoeing, and hiking are all at their peak. Spring thaw and rain can turn the access road into a muddy slog that's hard on vehicles. Fall mornings are crisp and colorful, but the campground operates seasonally. Contact the local forest service for exact dates. Weekends in summer draw moderate crowds, so arrive early if you want a lakefront site.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies the shoreline of Carney Lake at 1,161 feet elevation, surrounded by a mix of pines, maples, and other northern hardwoods. Lakeside sites open directly onto the water for fishing and paddling access. Interior sites sit farther back in the forest canopy. The lake is clear and suitable for swimming, though the posted swim area can become overgrown by late summer. Wildlife viewing is common in the surrounding woods.

Geological RegionUpper Peninsula (Dickinson County); mixed hardwood-conifer forest surrounding an inland lake

Scenic ViewsLakeside sites provide direct lake access and open lake views; interior sites have filtered views through trees and more wooded privacy.

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 not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Total Campsites16 campsites

Best CampsitesThe lakeside sites. About half the campground. Are the ones people fight for. Direct water access, views, and the ability to launch a boat or cast a line from your doorstep make them worth the early arrival. Reviewers note that sites are large enough to handle small trailers, with good spacing between neighbors.

Amenities available

Rustic campground with basic facilities: vault toilets and a hand-pump providing potable water. No electric or sewer hookups, no showers; first-come, first-served sites and no reservations.

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Rustic lakeside campground offering fishing, paddling/boating access, wildlife viewing, hiking and nearby ORV/ATV trail access. Boat launch and picnic/day-use area adjacent to the campground.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRough/muddy access road conditions and occasional ORV traffic/noise on the designated ORV route; very basic facilities (no hookups) so visitors should be self-sufficient.

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.

Weather at Carney Lake State Forest Campground

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

4.2

38 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Visitors consistently praise the campground as a quiet, scenic, rustic spot with several lakeside sites and large, private campsites. Most reviews are highly positive (many 5-star), highlighting solitude, lake access, and overall natural setting.

Review Summaries

Based on 38 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, secluded setting; about half the sites are lakeside and highly valued; large sites that can accommodate small trailers; convenient boat launch and good fishing; close enough to Iron Mountain...

Based on 38 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure a lakeside site (sites are first-come, first-served). Come self-contained (bring supplies and water if preferred) and expect a rustic experience. Be prepared for a rough,...

Based on 38 reviews

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Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.2

(25)

Gene's Pond State Forest Campground

Gene's Pond State Forest Campground sits on the wooded shores of a Menominee River backwater in Dickinson County's upland hardwood forest. This rustic, first-come first-served site draws campers seeking quiet and easy water access. Sites are primitive with vault toilets and hand-pump water.

Glidden Lake State Forest Campground

Glidden Lake State Forest Campground sits on the eastern shore of a small, quiet lake in Iron County's forested hills. Twenty-three first-come, first-served sites offer direct access to fishing, paddling, and the Lake Mary Plains Pathway trailhead. At $15 per night, the campground is rustic: vault toilets, no trash service, and occasional bugs, but reliably peaceful.

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

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Little Lake State Forest Campground

Little Lake State Forest Campground sits on the eastern shore of Little Lake in Marquette County, offering 16 first-come, first-served sites beneath a mix of hardwoods and conifers. The campground features vault toilets, hand-pumped potable water, and a small sandy beach at the center of the loop. There are no hookups, showers, or trash service.

RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, 8181 US HWY 2, Rapid River, MI 49878, USA

Carr Lake Campsite sits on a grassy clearing in Hiawatha National Forest, large enough for two families at roughly 70 by 40 feet. It's a primitive site with no water or facilities, just a fire ring, picnic table, and the option to buy firewood. The fee is $8 per night. Cell service doesn't exist here, which some visitors consider a feature.

$8.00 - $8.00 / night

8181 US HWY 2, Rapid River, MI, 49878, USA

Lyman Lake Campsites sits on a 67-acre glacial lake in Hiawatha National Forest, offering 10 primitive sites at $8 per night. The campground stays quieter than larger parks, with reservations opening June 21. Sites vary from small to very large, and you'll need to bring your own drinking water.

$8.00 - $8.00 / night

RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, 8181 US HWY 2, Rapid River, MI, 49878, USA

Clear Lake Campsite offers a single primitive site on the eastern shore of a 109-acre lake in Hiawatha National Forest, about 15 miles from Rapid River. The 50-by-30-foot site accommodates up to two families and trailers, with a fire ring but no water, restrooms, or other facilities. It's the only campsite on the lake, though a public boat launch nearby brings occasional vehicle traffic.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

8181 US HWY 2, Rapid River, MI 49878, USA

Bear Lake Campsite sits on a hillside above a 21-acre lake in Hiawatha National Forest, about 15 miles from Rapid River. The single primitive site costs $8 per night and requires a slow, bumpy drive on rough forest roads. No reservations, no running water, no cell service. Just one spacious sandy site with a fire ring and direct access to brook trout fishing.

$8.00 - $8.00 / night

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Lake Nineteen Campsite

8181 US HWY 2, RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, Rapid River, MI 49878, USA

Lake Nineteen Campsite sits on the eastern shore of a 26-acre lake deep in Hiawatha National Forest's Ironjaw Semi-Primitive Area. The single primitive site accommodates up to 8 people for $8 per night. Reviews are split: some campers love the seclusion and scenery, while others report trail access problems, poor maintenance, and disappointment over the lake's unstocked trout population.

$8.00 - $8.00 / night

RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, 8181 US HWY 2, Rapid River, MI, USA

Bass Lake Campsite sits on the western shore of a 290-acre lake within Hiawatha National Forest, about 8 miles from Rapid River. The single primitive site ($8/night) accommodates one small family trailer on a 35x50-foot footprint. No facilities exist. Bring your own water and supplies. Vehicle traffic to the boat access reduces privacy.

$8.00 - $8.00 / night

Campgrounds

Carney Lake State Forest Campground

From Michigan DNR

Official information for Carney Lake State Forest Campground from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

This rustic campground is located on Carney Lake and offer opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, boating and ORV riding. The campground is located on a designated ORV road with several surrounding ATV trails easily accessible from the campground. There are 16 sites for tent and small trailer use. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities includes vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 14 miles northeast of Iron Mountain via M-95 North and Carney Lake Road. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. View Campground closing and opening dates .

Carney Lake State Forest Campground

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Carney Lake State Forest Campground

What Campers Say

Campground Map

Best Time to Camp at Carney Lake State Forest Campground

Planning Tips

About Carney Lake State Forest Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Weather at Carney Lake State Forest Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Camper Quotes

From Michigan DNR

Plan a trip to Carney Lake State Forest Campground

What Campers Say

Best Time to Camp at Carney Lake State Forest Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Camper Quotes