Garey Lake State Forest Campground

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Garey Lake State Forest Campground
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

886 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
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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

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Michigan
Provider
(231) 276-9511
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Campground Map

Garey Lake State Forest Campground

Garey Lake State Forest Campground

44.7779, -85.9391

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.

Best Time to Camp at Garey Lake State Forest Campground

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Boat access, fishing and trail use make summer a prime season for activities.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Wooded setting and trails suggest strong fall foliage, quieter shoulder-season visits.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring paddling and fishing plus shoulder-season solitude likely make spring appealing.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

No winter amenities noted; primitive facilities limit winter comfort and activities.

Planning Tips

    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.
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    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.
    HikingDirect 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.
    FishingGarey Lake contains perch, pike and bluegill; additional nearby fishing at Glen Lake (~6 miles) and Pearl Lake (~0.5 mile).
    Biking
    Boating
    Wildlife viewing
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsRustic, 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

    Reviews

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    Last updated February 2, 2026
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