Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

4.63

40 reviews

Peace & QuietStargazingSummer 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

Opens Michigan DNR site

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

Opens Michigan DNR site

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.

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) 492-3415

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What Campers Say

4.63

Top-Rated

Based on 40 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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

46.6948, -85.3598

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)

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.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

5.0 / 5

Top 6% in MI

Shines late spring–fall; summer is ideal for paddling, fishing and long UP twilights.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Forested UP setting promises strong fall color and quieter conditions.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 14% in MI

Late spring access increases use; lake and trails become active for paddling/fishing.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Open year-round but not plowed; winter camping possible but access is limited.

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

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

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).

HikingNearby 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.

FishingPike and walleye are reported in Culhane Lake; Bodi Lake is a nearby fishing opportunity about 1.5 miles northeast.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

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.

Weather at Culhane Lake State Forest Campground

Reviews

4.6

40 reviews

Top-Rated

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 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

0 review

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Last updated February 2, 2026

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