Gene'S Pond State Forest Campground
4.6721 reviewsGene'S Pond State Forest Campground
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
Gene'S Pond State Forest Campground
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
Total Campsite Fees$0.00
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Michigan
Provider(906) 786-2351
What Campers Say
4.67
Top-Rated
Based on 21 reviews
21 Google reviews
Most mentioned
quietcleanspaciouswater
"Reviewers consistently describe Gene's Pond Campground as quiet, peaceful, scenic and well-maintained. Guests praise the wooded lakeside sites, good fishing and paddling access, and the hand-pump potable water; most note the campground is rustic and first-come, first-served."
Best Time to Camp at Gene'S Pond State Forest Campground
Gene's Pond welcomes adventurers year-round, though winter visitors should note that roads and campsites remain unplowed, adding to the backcountry experience. Summer and fall bring the best conditions for water activities, though the pond's proximity means you'll want to pack insect repellent for those warm-weather evenings. When night falls, you'll be rewarded with inky-dark skies and the kind of profound quiet that only truly remote campgrounds can offer.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
Summer (Jun-Aug)
Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.
Fall (Sep-Nov)
Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.
Planning Tips
- Operating Season: Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter.
About Gene'S Pond State Forest Campground
Escape to Gene's Pond State Forest Campground, where tranquility meets wilderness on the wooded shores of Dickinson County. This intimate, rustic retreat offers the perfect low-key getaway for campers seeking solitude, with shaded sites nestled beneath towering hardwoods and direct access to peaceful paddling and fishing waters.
Rustic, primarily tent-oriented state forest campground with first-come, first-served sites and no utility hookups.
Weather and SeasonsGene's Pond welcomes adventurers year-round, though winter visitors should note that roads and campsites remain unplowed, adding to the backcountry experience. Summer and fall bring the best conditions for water activities, though the pond's proximity means you'll want to pack insect repellent for those warm-weather evenings. When night falls, you'll be rewarded with inky-dark skies and the kind of profound quiet that only truly remote campgrounds can offer.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking to the call of loons echoing across Gene's Pond, a serene backwater of the Menominee River where bald eagles soar overhead and the forest feels like your own private sanctuary. The campground embraces you with a canopy of upland hardwoods, creating naturally shaded, spacious sites that offer true privacy and seclusion. Launch your kayak or canoe from the on-site boat ramp to explore the calm waters, cast a line for your evening catch, or simply settle into your campsite and watch wildlife wander through this peaceful lakeside haven.
Geological RegionUpper Peninsula (Dickinson County); Gene's Pond is a backwater of the Menominee River in an upland hardwood forest setting.
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Campsite details
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
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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
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter.
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com
Amenities available
Potable water
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Calm, wooded pond setting supports paddling/kayaking, boating from a small launch, shore and boat fishing, hiking on the nearby Gene's Pond Pathway, wildlife viewing, hunting access on surrounding state land, and limited winter camping (roads not plowed).
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Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
General hazardsRemote location with potentially limited or spotty cell service; insects in warm months; some trail sections (Gene's Pond Pathway) have been reported as overgrown or tricky to follow. Seasonal road closures/not plowed in winter can limit access.
Weather at Gene'S Pond State Forest Campground
28
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 71%
Wind: 9.9 mph
Overcast
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Good to know
Common complaintsLimited amenities associated with its rustic character: vault/outhouse toilets, no electricity, no showers, no dump station. A few reviewers noted no onsite trash receptacles and one reviewer reported rusty/cloudy drinking water and infrequent outhouse maintenance. Remote location and potential overgrown trail sections were also cited.
Campground Map
Gene'S Pond State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated 6.5 miles northwest of Felch via County Road 581 (G-67) and County Road 422 in Dickinson County.
Accessible via County Road 581 (G-67) and County Road 422 (seasonal roads).Nearby places
Felch — approximately 6.5 miles
Sagola — gas station/supplies reported ~10 miles away.
Nearby supplies
Fully stocked gas station in Sagola (reported ~10 miles away).
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.7
21 reviews
Gene'S Pond State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers consistently describe Gene's Pond Campground as quiet, peaceful, scenic and well-maintained. Guests praise the wooded lakeside sites, good fishing and paddling access, and the hand-pump potable water; most note the campground is rustic and first-come, first-served.
Review Summaries
Based on 21 reviews
What Campers Love
Quiet, secluded atmosphere; clean and well-kept sites; boat launch and easy paddling/fishing access; many reviewers praise the hand-pump water as clear and good-tasting; sites described as spacious...
Based on 21 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Arrive self-contained with supplies; expect first-come, first-served; prefer waterfront or near-water sites for best views and quick access to fishing/paddling; bring bug spray and plan for limited...
Based on 21 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
“Extremely well maintained campground with a nice boat landing adjacent.”; “Very quiet and clean camp sites.”; “A hand pump...provided very clear and good tasting water.”; “The water is terrible -...
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Last updated December 13, 2025
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