Emily Lake State Forest Campground

4.15

26 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Emily 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

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Michigan

Provider

(906) 288-3321

What Campers Say

4.15

Satisfactory

Based on 26 reviews

26 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanlakewell-maintained

Some mention

mosquitoessmall

"Reviewers consistently describe Emily Lake State Forest Campground as a small, clean, quiet and rustic U.P. campground with picturesque lake views. Commonly reported features include vault toilets, a hand-pump water source, a boat launch/dock, and about nine (often reported as nine or ten) sites; the site is typically first-come, first-served."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Emily Lake embraces all four seasons with classic U.P. character. Summer brings warm days perfect for lakeside lounging—just pack plenty of bug spray, as mosquitoes are enthusiastic visitors during warmer months. Hardy winter campers will find the road typically plowed for access, though facilities remain wonderfully primitive year-round, offering a true cold-weather adventure for those prepared to rough it.

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

About Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Tucked away on the peaceful south shore of Emily Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this intimate nine-site campground offers true northwoods solitude beneath towering conifers and hemlocks. With just vault toilets and a hand-pump well, Emily Lake State Forest Campground is perfect for self-reliant campers seeking an authentic, back-to-basics wilderness experience.

Rustic state forest campground with a very small number of sites (commonly reported as nine or ten). Best suited to tent and primitive camping; first-come, first-served.

Weather and SeasonsEmily Lake embraces all four seasons with classic U.P. character. Summer brings warm days perfect for lakeside lounging—just pack plenty of bug spray, as mosquitoes are enthusiastic visitors during warmer months. Hardy winter campers will find the road typically plowed for access, though facilities remain wonderfully primitive year-round, offering a true cold-weather adventure for those prepared to rough it.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to dappled sunlight filtering through a cathedral of towering hemlocks and conifers, with Emily Lake's quiet waters just steps from your tent. The campground nestles into a lush forest of mixed hardwoods and evergreens, creating that authentic Upper Peninsula seclusion you've been craving. Several sites perch right along the undeveloped southern shoreline, offering front-row seats to the lake's serene beauty and the chance to fall asleep to the gentle lap of water against the shore.

Geological RegionUpper Peninsula (Houghton County), within Michigan state forest lands

Campsite details

Total Campsites9 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Rustic lakeside campground focused on tent camping, fishing, boating, paddling, and quiet wildlife/forest enjoyment. There are informal recreation opportunities on surrounding state forest lands.

Hiking

Informal hiking and exploration on surrounding state forest lands and forest roads; no marked trail system is documented in the sources.

Fishing

Fishing from shore or small boats; reviewers and listings report catches of bluegill, perch, largemouth bass and rainbow trout in Emily Lake.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed
Visitor reports note large fire pits at sites; campers should follow Michigan DNR fire regulations and local fire restrictions.

Hazards

General hazardsMosquitoes and other insects in warm months (multiple visitor reports). Reviews note a weedy/ woody shoreline with sticks that can make swimming/ wading uncomfortable; there is no designated supervised swimming area. Campsites are small and in places close together which can limit privacy.

Weather at Emily Lake State Forest Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Light freezing drizzle

Precipitation: 0.4%

Humidity: 83%

Wind: 13.5 mph

Light freezing drizzle

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsSmall and sometimes closely spaced sites (some reviewers note you can hear neighboring campers); limited or no swimming access and some reviewers describe weedy/wood-strewn shoreline; mosquitoes reported by some visitors; very limited facilities (no showers, no hookups).

Campground Map

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Driving directionsFrom M-26, drive to Emily Lake Road and turn onto it; drive 2.5 miles. The campground entrance is on the left. Emily Lake Road is paved for the first 0.5 mile then becomes gravel.

Accessible from M-26; final approach includes paved then gravel road (Emily Lake Road).

Nearby places

Houghton — ~22 miles

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.2

26 reviews

Satisfactory

Emily Lake State Forest Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently describe Emily Lake State Forest Campground as a small, clean, quiet and rustic U.P. campground with picturesque lake views. Commonly reported features include vault toilets, a hand-pump water source, a boat launch/dock, and about nine (often reported as nine or ten) sites; the site is typically first-come, first-served.

Review Summaries

Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean, well-maintained vault toilets; peaceful wooded setting with large conifers and hemlocks; direct lake access and a usable boat launch/dock; good fishing (bluegill, perch, bass, occasional...

Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Plan for rustic camping: bring drinking water containers despite a hand-pump well, bring bug repellant, and pack out trash if bins are not visible. Expect first-come, first-served operation (no...

Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

Selected reviewer comments: "Gorgeous, quaint rustic campground. Loved waking up with the little lake right by us."; "No reservations. First come first served. Boat launch is just a short walk...

Based on 26 reviews