Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

Star5.00
12 reviews
Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions
Cusino 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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Michigan
Provider
(906) 341-2355

What Campers Say

5.00

Top-Rated

Based on 12 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleanwater

Some mention

mosquitoescell service

"Reviewers consistently praise the campground's solitude, lakeside setting (all six sites are waterfront), exceptionally dark night skies for stargazing, and a well‑maintained vault toilet and pump. Common negatives are summer mosquitoes, limited cell service, and that the lake is not ideal for swimming."

Read all reviews


Best Time to Camp at Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

Summer is prime time here, though you'll want to pack your most effective bug spray—mosquitoes consider this paradise too. While the campground technically stays open year-round, winter transforms access into an adventure requiring proper vehicles, as neither the seasonal roads nor the campground receive plowing. For most visitors, the ice-free months from late spring through fall offer the sweet spot for enjoying everything Cusino Lake has to offer.

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 and seasonal access roads are not plowed in winter.

About Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

Escape to one of Michigan's best-kept secrets: a tiny, six-site gem tucked along the pristine shores of 140-acre Cusino Lake. This rustic, first-come, first-served campground delivers the ultimate waterfront experience—every single site sits right on the water, surrounded by deep woods and blessed silence.
Very small, rustic lakeside campground with six waterfront sites for tents and small trailers.
Weather and SeasonsSummer is prime time here, though you'll want to pack your most effective bug spray—mosquitoes consider this paradise too. While the campground technically stays open year-round, winter transforms access into an adventure requiring proper vehicles, as neither the seasonal roads nor the campground receive plowing. For most visitors, the ice-free months from late spring through fall offer the sweet spot for enjoying everything Cusino Lake has to offer.
Natural Features and SceneryPicture this: your tent pitched under a canopy of mixed hardwoods, a sandy beach just steps away, and the glassy surface of Cusino Lake stretching before you. All six sites claim prime lakefront real estate with direct water access, making morning paddles and sunset fishing sessions effortless. The lake's 140 acres hold healthy populations of muskie, largemouth bass, and perch, while the surrounding forest creates a natural buffer from the outside world. When darkness falls, the lack of light pollution reveals a spectacular star-filled sky that reminds you just how far from civilization you've traveled.
Geological RegionUpper Peninsula (Schoolcraft County)
Advertisement

Campsite details

Total Campsites6 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 not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground and seasonal access roads are not plowed in winter.
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Small, lakeside campground popular for paddling and fishing with trail and winter access noted.
Hiking
Trail 8 is accessible from the campground; additional hiking and trail opportunities are nearby including Pictured Rocks access within about 10 miles.
Fishing
Cusino Lake is fished for muskie, perch and largemouth bass; shore and small-boat fishing are noted.
Swimming
All six sites have direct water access for paddling or swimming, though visitors note the lake can have soft bottom/weeds and is not ideal for beach-style swimming in places.
Advertisement

Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsSummer mosquitoes can be aggressive; limited or no cell service. Remote dirt and forest roads may be rough. Lake has weed/soft-bottom areas in places—lake is better for paddling and fishing than for swimming. Hunting occurs on adjacent state land (firearm distance restrictions near dwellings apply).

Weather at Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

22
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 12.3 mph
Overcast

Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsAggressive mosquitoes in summer, lack of cell service, limited number of sites (six) which are first-come first-served, and the lake being imperfect for swimming in some spots.

Campground Map

Cusino Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated in Schoolcraft County. 11 miles east of Melstrand via H-52 and Co Road 450. Also described as 24 miles northeast of Shingleton via H-15, H-58 and Russ Lake Road.
Access via county and forest roads (H-52, H-15, H-58, county roads and Russ Lake Road); final approach includes dirt/gravel forest roads.
Nearby places
Melstrand — ~11 miles
Shingleton — ~24 miles
fewer than 10 miles from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (depending on route).

Reviews from booking and map sources

5.0
12 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Cusino Lake State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers consistently praise the campground's solitude, lakeside setting (all six sites are waterfront), exceptionally dark night skies for stargazing, and a well‑maintained vault toilet and pump. Common negatives are summer mosquitoes, limited cell service, and that the lake is not ideal for swimming.
Review Summaries
Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

Peaceful, secluded lakeside sites with direct water access at every campsite; excellent stargazing and quiet; clean, well-maintained vault toilet and hand-pump water; new fire rings and picnic tables...
Show more
Based on 12 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early (sites are first-come, first-served); bring strong insect repellent; pack supplies (remote location, dirt roads); bring carry-in kayaks/canoes for best use of the lake.
Based on 12 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This was the quietest lake, campground I have ever been to."; "All of the sites (6 total) are on water... Nice picnic tables, new fire rings... the cleanest, least smelly, best maintained bathroom...
Show more
Based on 12 reviews

Camper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Magnifying Glass
No reviews availableLeave a review to get started

Last updated December 13, 2025
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Michigan

Campgrounds
Cusino Lake State Forest Campground