Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Star4.27
34 reviews
Emily Lake State Forest Campground
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,204 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
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

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Michigan
Provider
(906) 288-3321
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What Campers Say

4.27

Satisfactory

Based on 34 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."

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Campground Map

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

46.8568, -88.8561

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

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.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Warm days ideal for lakeside lounging and paddling; mosquitoes can be plentiful.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Classic Upper Peninsula fall colors, quiet conditions and good shoulder-season camping.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Good for early-season fishing/exploration; seasonal mud and increasing bugs noted in sources.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

Open in winter but primitive facilities and likely access/amenity limitations reduce appeal.

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.
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    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.
    HikingInformal hiking and exploration on surrounding state forest lands and forest roads; no marked trail system is documented in the sources.
    FishingFishing from shore or small boats; reviewers and listings report catches of bluegill, perch, largemouth bass and rainbow trout in Emily Lake.
    Boating
    Wildlife viewing
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes 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

    Reviews

    4.3
    34 reviews
    Satisfactory
    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 34 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...
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    Based on 34 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...
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    Based on 34 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...
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    Based on 34 reviews

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    Last updated February 2, 2026
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