Is Emily Lake State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Emily Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Emily Lake State Forest Campground has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Fire policies at Emily Lake State Forest Campground: Visitor reports note large fire pits at sites; campers should follow Michigan DNR fire regulations and local fire restrictions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Emily Lake State Forest Campground have?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground has 9 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Emily Lake State Forest Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Emily Lake State Forest Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

4.03

34 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Michigan

Quick Facts

1,204 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,204 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(906) 288-3321

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

46.8568, -88.8561

Nearby places

Houghton — ~22 miles

Weather at Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, spectacular color, and low bug pressure. Expect crisp days in the 40s–60s°F and nights near freezing by October. Deciduous understory and aspen or maple pockets around Emily Lake peak in late September to early October, making hiking, photography, and quiet shoreline fishing especially rewarding. Crowd levels drop compared with summer, but be aware of hunting activity on surrounding state forest lands. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. Summer brings mosquitoes that reviewers describe as enthusiastic. Winter access is possible. The road is typically plowed. But facilities remain unmaintained and you'll need snowshoes or a snow shovel.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Fall offers comfortable weather, notable color and low bug pressure; reviewers highlight fall as best.

Planning Tips

About Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Emily Lake State Forest Campground sits on the south shore of Emily Lake, 22 miles north of Houghton in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Nine primitive sites nestle beneath towering conifers and hemlocks, equipped only with vault toilets, a hand-pump well, fire rings, and picnic tables. First-come, first-served operation keeps the place quiet and uncrowded.

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 SeasonsFall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, spectacular color, and low bug pressure. Expect crisp days in the 40s–60s°F and nights near freezing by October. Deciduous understory and aspen or maple pockets around Emily Lake peak in late September to early October, making hiking, photography, and quiet shoreline fishing especially rewarding. Crowd levels drop compared with summer, but be aware of hunting activity on surrounding state forest lands. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. Summer brings mosquitoes that reviewers describe as enthusiastic. Winter access is possible. The road is typically plowed. But facilities remain unmaintained and you'll need snowshoes or a snow shovel.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a mixed forest of hemlock, conifer, and hardwood at 1,204 feet elevation. Several sites sit directly on the undeveloped south shoreline of Emily Lake, with water views through the trees. The shoreline is weedy in places with downed wood, and there's no designated swimming beach. Reviewers mention good fishing for bluegill, perch, bass, and occasional trout. A small boat launch and dock provide lake access. Night skies are dark, and sunsets over the water draw consistent praise.

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

Scenic ViewsPicturesque lake views from multiple campsites; several sites are adjacent to or overlook Emily Lake and provide easy water access and sunset views.

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 camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Total Campsites9 campsites

Best CampsitesLakeside sites (reviewers mention 6, 8, and 9) offer the best water views. Two isolated sites past the main cluster also sit on the shoreline. Sites 1 and 2, and 3 and 4, are close enough to work for groups camping together.

Amenities available

Small, rustic state forest campground with basic facilities: vault toilets, a hand-pump water well, picnic tables and large fire rings. No electricity, showers, or hookups.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

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

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

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.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

34 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 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...

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...

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...

Based on 34 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Tent campers who fish or paddle will find this place hard to beat in fall: bass, perch, bluegill, and occasional trout from a usable dock, bugs mostly gone, and sunsets over the water that reviewers keep mentioning. Get there early on weekends, no reservations, nine sites.

Skip if

No showers, no hookups, no designated swim beach, and a weedy shoreline with 'no swimming' signs. Summer mosquitoes are genuinely bad. If you need cell service, count on nothing, you're 22 miles north of Houghton in state forest land.

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