Gene's Pond State Forest Campground

4.61

25 reviews

Peace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Michigan

Quick Facts

1,155 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026

Quick Facts

1,155 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

March 2026

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

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Michigan

Provider

(906) 786-2351

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What Campers Say

4.61

Top-Rated

Based on 25 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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Gene's Pond State Forest Campground

46.0726, -87.8658

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).

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.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 14% in MI

Reviewers paddled in April; spring offers paddling/fishing as ice thaws and fewer crowds.

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.

Best Campsites

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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).

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsRemote 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

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.6

25 reviews

Top-Rated

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 25 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 25 reviews

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 25 reviews

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Last updated March 8, 2026

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