Garey Lake Trail Camp

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Garey Lake Trail Camp
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

886 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

2 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
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Garey Lake Trail Camp
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
(800) 447-2757
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Campground Map

Garey Lake Trail Camp

Garey Lake Trail Camp

44.7779, -85.9391

Driving directionsLocated 8 miles southeast of Empire via M-72, Plowman Road and Pettengill Road.
Accessible via M-72 with local roads (Plowman Road and Pettengill Road) to the site.
Nearby places
Empire — about 8 miles
Glen Lake — about 6 miles north
Pearl Lake — about 0.5 mile southeast.
Nearby supplies
Empire, Maple City

Best Time to Camp at Garey Lake Trail Camp

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Prime season for hiking, paddling, fishing and meadow/lake enjoyment; primitive but well suited to summer use.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Northern hardwoods and orchard setting imply strong fall color and crisp, quiet conditions.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Spring offers trail access, migratory activity and lakeshore renewal, though site remains primitive and wet in spots.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.0 / 5

No winter services; primitive camp may be usable by experienced users but not promoted for winter sports.

Planning Tips

    About Garey Lake Trail Camp

    Escape to Garey Lake Trail Camp, a hidden gem tucked into a historic apple orchard along pristine lakefront, just 8 miles southeast of Empire. This rustic group camping destination welcomes equestrians and boaters to its open, meadow-like setting where picket poles replace traditional campsites and adventure takes priority over amenities. Come prepared for primitive camping at its finest—this is true backcountry territory where self-sufficiency meets tranquil lakeside beauty.
    A rustic, primitive Shore‑to‑Shore equestrian trail camp set in a former apple orchard on Garey Lake; functions primarily as a large group/equestrian site rather than individually numbered modern campsites.
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    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Vault toilets
    Group Sites

    Activities you can enjoy

    Equestrian-focused Shore‑to‑Shore trail camp with access to Garey Lake for fishing and small‑boat use; suitable for hiking, paddling/boating, and hunting on surrounding state forest lands. The site functions as a large group/equestrian camp rather than numbered individual sites.
    HikingDirect access to the Shore‑to‑Shore Trail for day hikes and multi‑day travel; trail also serves equestrians.
    FishingFishing in Garey Lake for perch, pike, and bluegill; additional nearby lakes (Glen Lake, Pearl Lake) noted in sources.
    Boating
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    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsHunting activity on surrounding state land during seasons (obey hunting restrictions and wear high-visibility clothing); horse traffic and associated manure in the camp; variable or unreliable potable water availability.

    Weather at Garey Lake Trail Camp

    Reviews

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    Last updated February 2, 2026
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