Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

Star4.88
20 reviews
Cusino Lake State Forest Campground
Romantic GetawayPeace & QuietStargazingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

922 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
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

Get Notified When Available

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

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Michigan
Provider
(906) 341-2355
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.88

Top-Rated

Based on 20 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

Campground Map

Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

46.4594, -86.2607

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).

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.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Prime season for paddling and fishing; mosquitoes are a common negative.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 15% in MI

Wooded setting and solitude suggest excellent fall colors and quiet visits (limited explicit mentions).

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Spring opens paddling/fishing opportunities but can be buggy and muddy; primitive facilities.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Open year‑round but seasonal roads not plowed; winter visits possible but access limited.

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.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
15-day maximum stay

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.
HikingTrail 8 is accessible from the campground; additional hiking and trail opportunities are nearby including Pictured Rocks access within about 10 miles.
FishingCusino Lake is fished for muskie, perch and largemouth bass; shore and small-boat fishing are noted.
SwimmingAll 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.
Boating
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

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

Weather at Cusino Lake State Forest Campground

Reviews

4.9
20 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 20 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 20 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 20 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 20 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Cusino Lake State Forest Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated February 2, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Michigan

Campgrounds
Cusino Lake State Forest Campground