Glidden Lake State Forest Campground

Star4.41
51 reviews
Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,348 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

23 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
Get Directions
Glidden Lake State Forest Campground
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Reported standard nightly fee $15 (per Google review); Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry/parking at state forest campgrounds. Sites are...
Show more
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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Michigan
Provider
(906) 875-3324
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.41

Recommended

Based on 51 reviews

43 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanlake

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Reviewers consistently describe Glidden Lake State Forest Campground as peaceful, quiet, and scenic with a true rustic feel. Guests praise lakeside sites, good fishing and paddling, and direct access to the Lake Mary Plains Pathway; main drawbacks noted are basic facilities (vault toilets, no trash service) and seasonal insects or occasional noisy neighbors."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Glidden Lake State Forest Campground

Glidden Lake State Forest Campground

46.0715, -88.2379

Driving directionsLocated in Iron County: about 6 miles east of Crystal Falls and 1 mile south of Highway M-69 on Lake Mary Road (campground on the eastern shore of Glidden Lake).
Approximately 1 mile south of M-69 on Lake Mary Road; 6 miles east of Crystal Falls.
Nearby places
Crystal Falls (6 miles)

Best Time to Camp at Glidden Lake State Forest Campground

Pack a warm fleece even in summer—classic U.P. weather means cool, comfortable nights perfect for campfire stories, though you'll want bug spray handy during late spring and summer when mosquitoes make their presence known. The beauty of this spot is its year-round appeal: warm-weather hikers and bikers give way to cross-country skiers and snowshoers once winter blankets the trails in white.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Cool nights and paddling/swimming opportunities; watch for mosquitoes in late spring/summer.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 15% in MI

Upper Peninsula fall colors, quieter crowds and great hiking make fall a top season.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Cool temps and emerging greenery make spring attractive, though mosquitoes appear in late spring.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Multi-season trail use implies possible winter recreation, but campground is rustic and cold; limited facilities.

Planning Tips

    About Glidden Lake State Forest Campground

    Tucked into the tall pines along Glidden Lake's eastern shore, this intimate Upper Peninsula gem offers the kind of peaceful, back-to-basics camping experience that feels increasingly rare. With just a handful of rustic sites, direct trail access, and nothing but forest sounds and lapping water to disturb your stay, it's the perfect escape for campers who value solitude over amenities.
    Rustic state forest campground with 23 first-come, first-served sites along the eastern shore of Glidden Lake; suited to tent campers and small trailers rather than developed RV camping.
    Advertisement

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
    Reveal picks

    Reserving a campsite


    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Vault toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    Forest-and-lake setting offering hiking, paddling, fishing, and multi-season trail use via the adjacent Lake Mary Plains Pathway. Small, calm lake suitable for non-motorized and small-boat recreation; campground functions as a trailhead for a multi-use pathway.
    HikingTrailhead for the Lake Mary Plains Pathway is adjacent to the campground — over 9 miles of marked trail for hiking through rolling U.P. terrain.
    FishingGlidden Lake supports panfish and bass (largemouth and smallmouth); anglers fish from shore and from small boats.
    SwimmingSandy shoreline and small beach/day-use area at Glidden Lake provide spots for swimming and shore recreation.
    Biking
    Boating
    Wildlife viewing
    Advertisement

    Policies & Safety

    Hazards & AlertsTypical U.P. hazards: mosquitoes/insects in warmer months, spotty cellular coverage in some areas, and presence of wildlife (white-tailed deer, black bear and other fauna noted in regional descriptions). Surrounding state forest is open to hunting—observe season/safety rules.

    Weather at Glidden Lake State Forest Campground

    Reviews

    4.4
    51 reviews
    Recommended
    Recommended
    Glidden Lake State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers consistently describe Glidden Lake State Forest Campground as peaceful, quiet, and scenic with a true rustic feel. Guests praise lakeside sites, good fishing and paddling, and direct access to the Lake Mary Plains Pathway; main drawbacks noted are basic facilities (vault toilets, no trash service) and seasonal insects or occasional noisy neighbors.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 51 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Calm, small lake ideal for canoeing/kayaking and fishing; many lakeside or near-lake sites with nice views; direct trailhead access to 9+ miles of multi-use trails; clean, well-kept rustic sites with...
    Show more
    Based on 51 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Arrive early (23 sites are first-come, first-served) to secure a lakeside site; pack out all trash; bring bug spray and layers for cool nights; small boats, kayaks, or canoes are recommended; the...
    Show more
    Based on 51 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    "One of the most peaceful campgrounds I've ever been to."; "No trash available so pack in, pack out."; "Peaceful lake, good hiking, calm water."
    Based on 51 reviews

    0
    0 review
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5

    Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

    Been to Glidden Lake State Forest Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


    Last updated February 2, 2026
    Advertisement

    Nearby Campgrounds

    Campgrounds you may also like

    Popular campgrounds in Michigan

    Campgrounds
    Glidden Lake State Forest Campground