Culhane Lake State Forest Campground
4.7629 reviewsCulhane Lake State Forest Campground
Quick Facts
Price
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
22 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsCulhane Lake State Forest Campground
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Reported $15 per night (pay-at-site self-registration; cash commonly used) per visitor reports.
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) 492-3415
What Campers Say
4.76
Top-Rated
Based on 29 reviews
29 Google reviews
Most mentioned
quietcleanwaterlake
Some mention
cell service
"Reviewer sentiment is strongly positive: campers consistently praise Culhane Lake for being remote, peaceful, clean, and scenic. Reviews highlight the lakefront sites, dark night skies, well-maintained basic infrastructure (vault toilets, hand pump), and low crowding."
Fees & Passes at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground
$15/night
Campsite fees
Prices verified December 13, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Michigan DNR website.
Best Time to Camp at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground
While officially open year-round, Culhane Lake truly shines from late spring through fall, when the campground is accessible and the lake invites exploration. Summer brings those famously long UP twilights and peaceful, star-studded nights—just pack your bug spray, as mosquitoes are enthusiastic participants in the summer experience. Winter transforms the area into a snowy wilderness, though the campground isn't plowed, making it an adventure for only the most intrepid cold-weather campers.
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
- Operating Season: Open year-round; campground is not plowed in winter.
About Culhane Lake State Forest Campground
Escape to Culhane Lake State Forest Campground, where rustic simplicity meets waterfront serenity in Michigan's remote eastern Upper Peninsula. This intimate lakeside retreat offers the ultimate back-to-basics experience, with most sites perched right along the shore—perfect for anglers, paddlers, and anyone craving genuine solitude under star-filled skies.
A rustic, first-come/first-served state forest campground serving tenters and small trailers/RVs with lakeside and wooded sites.
Weather and SeasonsWhile officially open year-round, Culhane Lake truly shines from late spring through fall, when the campground is accessible and the lake invites exploration. Summer brings those famously long UP twilights and peaceful, star-studded nights—just pack your bug spray, as mosquitoes are enthusiastic participants in the summer experience. Winter transforms the area into a snowy wilderness, though the campground isn't plowed, making it an adventure for only the most intrepid cold-weather campers.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to filtered sunlight dancing across Culhane Lake through a canopy of mixed hardwoods and conifers. Many campsites nestle directly on the shoreline, where you can cast a line from your campsite or launch your kayak just steps from your tent. The surrounding forest stretches for miles, dotted with hidden lakes and quiet wetlands that beckon explorers and wildlife enthusiasts. When darkness falls, the absence of light pollution reveals a spectacular celestial show—the kind of night sky that reminds you why you came to the Upper Peninsula in the first place.
Geological RegionEastern Upper Peninsula (Luce County); mixed hardwood and conifer forest surrounding a small inland lake
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Campsite details
Total Campsites22 campsites
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks
Reserving a campsite
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground is not plowed in winter.
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (campground is first-come, first-served; not reservable)
Amenities available
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Quiet lakeside campground focused on backcountry-style lake access, paddling, fishing, hunting access to adjacent state land, and year-round rustic camping (campground not plowed in winter).
Hiking
Nearby trails and forest roads provide hiking opportunities; Two Heart Trail is about five miles southwest and connects to the Pine Ridge Trail. County roads adjacent to the campground allow access to other forest routes.Fishing
Pike and walleye are reported in Culhane Lake; Bodi Lake is a nearby fishing opportunity about 1.5 miles northeast.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Each site reportedly has a fire ring. Visitors must follow Michigan DNR fire rules and any posted seasonal restrictions.
- Quiet hours are Visitors are asked to observe Michigan DNR quiet hours and keep noise to a minimum to preserve the campground's peaceful character.
Hazards
General hazardsRemoteness and limited onsite services (no electric hookups, vault toilets, hand-pump water only) are primary hazards. Seasonal insect issues (mosquitoes) reported by visitors. Visitors should follow posted fire restrictions and bear/wildlife advisories.
Weather at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground
20
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 85%
Wind: 11.6 mph
Overcast
Weather History
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Reveal forecast
Emergency Services
Newberry (~30 miles)
Good to know
Common complaintsRemoteness and access (long dirt/washboard roads), little or no cell service, very rustic facilities (no electric, showers, or dump station), insect presence in summer, and limited site information/availability because the campground is first-come/first-served.
Campground Map
Culhane Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated in Luce County, about 30 miles northeast of Newberry via M-123 and County Road 500. Campground entrance and boat launch are adjacent to Culhane Lake.
Accessible via M-123 and County Road 500; final approach is on unpaved/washboard county roads (drive slowly).Nearby places
Newberry — ~30 miles
Nearby supplies
No nearby services at the campground
nearest supplies and services in Newberry (~30 miles)
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.8
29 reviews
Culhane Lake State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewer sentiment is strongly positive: campers consistently praise Culhane Lake for being remote, peaceful, clean, and scenic. Reviews highlight the lakefront sites, dark night skies, well-maintained basic infrastructure (vault toilets, hand pump), and low crowding.
Review Summaries
Based on 29 reviews
What Campers Love
Quiet, secluded lakeside setting; many sites on or very near the shoreline; clean vault toilets; hand-pump freshwater well; each site typically has a picnic table and fire ring; good for paddling,...
Based on 29 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Arrive early to secure a lakefront site (first-come/first-served); bring cash for self-registration ($15/night reported by visitors), pack in backups for drinking water despite the hand pump, bring...
Based on 29 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
“Best place EVER if you're from Michigan… No phone service or internet. It's all about taking in your surroundings.”; “Self registration—first come, first serve—$15/night (cash).”; “Remote and...
Based on 29 reviewsShow more
Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated December 13, 2025
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