Garey Lake State Forest Campground

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Garey Lake State Forest Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

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Garey Lake State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
No fee amounts provided in source materials. As a state forest campground a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry (per Michigan DNR).
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
(231) 276-9511



About Garey Lake State Forest Campground

Tucked away on the wooded shores of Garey Lake, this hidden gem of a campground invites you to step back in time where apple orchards once flourished. With its rustic charm, vault toilets, and hand-pump water, this first-come, first-served retreat managed by Interlochen State Park delivers an authentic back-country experience without the crowds.
Rustic state forest campground primarily for primitive/tent camping with equestrian and trail access; no modern hookups.
Historical SignificanceThe campground sits on land that was formerly an apple orchard. It is managed as a state forest campground (management provided by Interlochen State Park) and functions as a low-key access point to regional trails and lakes.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking up beneath a canopy of trees with the morning mist rising off Garey Lake just steps from your tent. The campground offers a perfect blend of sun-dappled and shaded sites, some with filtered views of the shimmering water and convenient access to a boat ramp for launching your kayak or canoe. Beyond your campsite, thousands of acres of state forest await exploration, with the renowned Shore-to-Shore Trail and Lake Ann Pathway beckoning hikers and mountain bikers, while nearby Glen Lake and Pearl Lake offer additional opportunities for fishing, paddling, and discovering the natural beauty of northern Michigan's lake country.
Geological RegionState forest lands adjacent to Garey Lake near the Sleeping Bear region.
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Campsite details


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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
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Quiet, rustic lakeside camping with on-site boat access, fishing, multi-use trail access (including the Shore-to-Shore Trail), and nearby opportunities for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use. Good for paddling and panfishing on Garey Lake.
Hiking
Direct access to the western spur of the Shore-to-Shore Trail; Lake Ann Pathway (about 6 miles NE) offers ~5.75 miles of rolling hiking terrain.
Fishing
Garey Lake contains perch, pike and bluegill; additional nearby fishing at Glen Lake (~6 miles) and Pearl Lake (~0.5 mile).
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsRustic, off-grid conditions: vault toilets (maintenance can be variable), limited or unreliable cell service reported by users, and nearby state forest hunting seasons (observe safety and distance regulations).

Weather at Garey Lake State Forest Campground

30
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 59%
Wind: 14.6 mph
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Campground Map

Garey Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsAbout eight miles southeast of Empire via M-72, Plowman Road and Pettengill Road.
Accessible from M-72; reach campground via Plowman Road and Pettengill Road from Empire.
Nearby places
Empire ~8 miles
Glen Lake (lake area) ~6 miles north
Pearl Lake ~0.5 mile SE.

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Last updated December 13, 2025
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