How much does camping cost at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground?

Camping fees at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground range from $15/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

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

Culhane 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 Culhane Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Culhane Lake State Forest Campground has 5 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.

What is the best time to visit Culhane Lake State Forest Campground?

Culhane Lake State Forest Campground is open Open year-round; campground is not plowed in winter.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground?

Fire policies at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground: Each site reportedly has a fire ring. Visitors must follow Michigan DNR fire rules and any posted seasonal restrictions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Culhane Lake State Forest Campground have?

Culhane Lake State Forest Campground has 22 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Culhane 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 Culhane Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

4.40

40 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Michigan Hidden Gem Campgrounds Michigan

Quick Facts

673 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

673 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Culhane 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.

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(906) 492-3415

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

46.6948, -85.3598

Nearby places

Newberry — ~30 miles

Nearby supplies

No nearby services at the campground

nearest supplies and services in Newberry (~30 miles)

Weather at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

Summer delivers the most reliable access and warmth, with daytime highs around 65–80°F and cool nights dropping to 45–60°F. Long UP twilight stretches paddling and fishing hours into the evening. Mosquitoes are present and enthusiastic through summer. The campground stays open year-round but roads aren't plowed in winter, limiting access to those prepared for backcountry conditions. Late spring and fall offer fewer bugs but cooler water temperatures.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer offers reliable access, warm days (65–80°F) and long twilight for paddling/fishing.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; campground is not plowed in winter.

About Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

Culhane Lake State Forest Campground sits on a small inland lake about 30 miles southwest of Newberry, tucked into mixed hardwood and conifer forest at 673 feet. The 22-site campground operates first-come, first-served for $15/night (cash at self-registration), with many sites right on the shoreline. Expect no hookups, no showers, vault toilets, a hand-pump well, and little to no cell service.

A rustic, first-come/first-served state forest campground serving tenters and small trailers/RVs with lakeside and wooded sites.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most reliable access and warmth, with daytime highs around 65–80°F and cool nights dropping to 45–60°F. Long UP twilight stretches paddling and fishing hours into the evening. Mosquitoes are present and enthusiastic through summer. The campground stays open year-round but roads aren't plowed in winter, limiting access to those prepared for backcountry conditions. Late spring and fall offer fewer bugs but cooler water temperatures.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground wraps around Culhane Lake, where several sites offer direct shoreline access for launching canoes or fishing from your campsite. Mixed hardwoods and conifers provide shade and a quiet forest backdrop. The surrounding state forest extends for miles with scattered wetlands and small lakes. Because the area is remote and undeveloped, night skies are exceptionally dark. Reviewers consistently mention excellent stargazing when clouds clear.

Geological RegionEastern Upper Peninsula (Luce County); mixed hardwood and conifer forest surrounding a small inland lake

Scenic ViewsFiltered lake views through trees from many sites; best views from lakefront sites on the outer loop.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (campground is first-come, first-served; not reservable)

Total Campsites22 campsites

Best CampsitesLakefront sites on the outer loop fill first. Reviewers recommend arriving early to claim shoreline spots with easier paddling access and unobstructed water views. Sites further from the lake still have easy walking access but lose the direct launch convenience.

Amenities available

Small, rustic state forest campground with minimal infrastructure: vault toilets, a hand-pump freshwater well, picnic tables and fire rings at sites, and no electric hookups, showers, or dump station. Remote location with no on-site Wi‑Fi and reported little or no cell service.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

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

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRemoteness 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.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

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.

Trip Planning Tools

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

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.4

40 reviews

Recommended

Culhane Lake State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% 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 40 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 40 reviews

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 40 reviews

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 40 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Paddlers and anglers who want a lakefront site for pike or walleye fishing get the most out of this place. Arrive Thursday to claim one of the shoreline spots; the dark skies and hand-pump simplicity are the whole point. Bring cash and bug spray.

Skip if

No showers, no electric, no cell signal, and 30 miles of road between you and supplies in Newberry will wear thin fast if any of those are non-negotiables. The washboard access roads also make big RVs a rough fit.

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Mouth Of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground

Mouth of Two Hearted River sits where the legendary river empties into Lake Superior, 36 first-come sites on a remote stretch of the Upper Peninsula shoreline. The campground runs rustic: vault toilets, a hand-pump well, picnic tables, and a boat launch. Anglers and paddlers claim it as a favorite U.P. destination, but GPS often fails here and cell service is nonexistent.