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

Ess 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 Ess Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Ess Lake State Forest Campground has 3 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 Ess Lake State Forest Campground?

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

How many campsites does Ess Lake State Forest Campground have?

Ess Lake State Forest Campground has 27 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Ess Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Ess 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 Ess Lake State Forest Campground?

Ess 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 Ess Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Ess Lake State Forest Campground

4.16

40 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Camping Michigan

Quick Facts

863 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

27 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

863 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

27 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Ess Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Overnight fees ($20 for most sites) and registration procedures are posted at the information kiosk at each campground.

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(989) 785-4388

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Ess Lake State Forest Campground

45.1095, -83.9816

Nearby places

Hillman, MI (reported in reviews as under ~5 miles)

Atlanta, MI (about 16 miles).

Nearby supplies

Hillman, MI (nearest small town with services per user reports)

Weather at Ess Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Ess Lake State Forest Campground

Summer brings the best conditions, with daytime highs in the low-70s to mid-80s°F and nights in the 50s–60s°F. The lake is warmest for swimming and the beach is usable during these months. Weekends get busier in summer. Fall mornings turn crisp, and the surrounding state forest sees hunting activity during designated seasons. The campground's seasonal availability varies, so confirm dates before planning a trip.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer is best: warm lake, usable beach, peak paddling and swimming conditions.

Planning Tips

About Ess Lake State Forest Campground

Ess Lake State Forest Campground sits on 27 rustic sites about 16 miles southwest of Atlanta in Michigan's Northern Lower Peninsula. The campground offers direct lake access with a boat launch, vault toilets, and hand-pump water. It operates first-come, first-served with no hookups or showers.

Rustic state forest campground primarily for primitive tent camping with lake access; no electric/water/sewer hookups.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the best conditions, with daytime highs in the low-70s to mid-80s°F and nights in the 50s–60s°F. The lake is warmest for swimming and the beach is usable during these months. Weekends get busier in summer. Fall mornings turn crisp, and the surrounding state forest sees hunting activity during designated seasons. The campground's seasonal availability varies, so confirm dates before planning a trip.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground borders Ess Lake at 863 feet elevation, surrounded by state forest. Reviews consistently describe the water as clear and clean. A small sandy beach provides lake access, though the shore transitions from grassy to sandy in places. Mixed forest creates a wooded, quiet setting. The lake supports bass, trout, and panfish, with paddling and small-boat fishing popular activities.

Geological RegionNorthern Lower Peninsula / state forest lands

Scenic ViewsWooded sites with some lake-adjacent or lake-view sites; shoreline and forest views.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

There are 27 sites for tent and small trailer use. There are vault toilets. Potable (drinking) water is available from a hand-pump well. No electrical available.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Water-centered recreation on Ess Lake (boating, paddling, swimming, fishing) plus access to nearby state forest recreation and ORV/ATV routes; small beach and picnic area on-site.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRustic facilities (no electricity), limited services and potentially weak cell reception due to remote forest location; surrounding state forest is open to hunting so users should observe seasonal hunting safety practices.

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

Rate Ess Lake State Forest Campground

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From Booking Sources

4.2

40 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Reviews are largely positive and emphasize clear water, a quiet wooded setting, and well-maintained rustic facilities. Many visitors call it a hidden gem ideal for rustic camping, paddling and fishing.

Review Summaries

Based on 40 reviews

What Campers Love

Clear, clean lake; quiet, wooded and rustic setting; on-site boat launch, small beach and picnic area; well-kept vault toilets/outhouses and generous-sized sites; good paddling and boating...

Based on 40 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

This is a rustic, first-come/first-served state forest campground—arrive prepared and early. Bring self-contained camping gear (no hookups), water containers or use the hand-pump, water shoes for the...

Based on 40 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful crystal clear lake. Campground is rustic but very nice."; "This is a perfect hidden gem!"; "No hook ups or dump station. But hey, you are camping right?"

Based on 40 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Kayakers, paddlers, and anglers targeting bass, pike, or panfish will get the most from this place. The on-site boat launch and clean water are the real draw, and summer nights in the 50s make tent camping genuinely comfortable.

Skip if

RVs over about 25 feet will have trouble on the narrow access road, and without showers, hookups, or a dump station, anyone expecting more than vault toilets and a hand-pump will be disappointed before they unpack.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.2

(37)

Jackson Lake State Forest Campground

Jackson Lake State Forest Campground sits on the shores of Jackson Lake, six miles south of Atlanta in northeast Lower Michigan. The 18 primitive sites are first-come, first-served, with vault toilets, hand-pump water, and no hookups. Many sites have direct lake access.