Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
4.4635 reviewsJackson Lake State Forest Campground
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
18 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
18 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Allowed
Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
No official fee listed in the provided sources. A 2022 Google review mentioned a $20 fee; this is user-reported and not confirmed by official...
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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(989) 785-4388
What Campers Say
4.46
Recommended
Based on 35 reviews
35 Google reviews
Most mentioned
quietcleanshadehiking
Some mention
noisemosquitoesroad noise
"Mostly positive reviewer sentiment emphasizing a quiet, well-kept, rustic lakeside campground with large wooded sites, many with lake access. Reviewers frequently praise clean outhouses, ORV trail access, and scenic privacy; common minor drawbacks include bugs, occasional tent-caterpillar events, and some highway noise."
Best Time to Camp at Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
Pack layers for your northern Michigan adventure—summer days warm into the comfortable 70s and 80s, perfect for lake activities, while evenings cool down enough to make a campfire essential. Spring and fall bring crisp nights and fewer crowds (along with the mosquitoes and black flies that come with warmer weather), and winter transforms the forest into a snowy wonderland with temperatures dipping into the 20s.
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
About Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
Escape to Jackson Lake State Forest Campground, a hidden gem where rustic charm meets lakeside tranquility. This intimate, first-come, first-served retreat offers vault toilets and hand-pump water, keeping things delightfully simple while you enjoy up to 15 days of boating, fishing, and trail exploration right from your campsite.
A rustic (primitive) lakeside state forest campground primarily for tent camping and small trailers; first-come, first-served.
Weather and SeasonsPack layers for your northern Michigan adventure—summer days warm into the comfortable 70s and 80s, perfect for lake activities, while evenings cool down enough to make a campfire essential. Spring and fall bring crisp nights and fewer crowds (along with the mosquitoes and black flies that come with warmer weather), and winter transforms the forest into a snowy wonderland with temperatures dipping into the 20s.
Natural Features and SceneryImagine pitching your tent beneath a canopy of towering hardwoods and pines, where dappled sunlight filters through to your spacious, private site just steps from Jackson Lake's shimmering waters. The campground's generous spacing means you'll feel like you have your own slice of wilderness, with many sites offering direct lake access for morning fishing or sunset paddles. Beyond your campsite, rolling hills blanketed in mixed forest beckon adventurers to explore the interconnected Clear Lake/Jackson Lake Pathway and High Country Pathway, while ORV enthusiasts will find miles of trails winding through this beautiful state forest landscape.
Geological RegionNortheast Lower Michigan (northern Lower Peninsula); rolling to hilly terrain in mixed hardwood and pine forest along Jackson Lake.
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Campsite details
Total Campsites18 campsites
Best Campsites
Curated by campers, for campers
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Reserving a campsite
Stay Limit
15-day maximum stay
Tents
Tents are allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (note: sites are first-come, first-served; no reservations available)
Amenities available
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Cell phone service
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Small, rustic lakeside campground offering fishing, paddling/boating, extensive hiking and mountain biking trails, and direct access to ORV routes. Hunting is permitted on surrounding state land.
Hiking
Clear Lake/Jackson Lake Pathway (about 7.5 miles of rolling-to-hilly terrain) and the High Country Pathway (70+ mile non-motorized loop) are accessible from the campground for hiking and backpacking.Fishing
Jackson Lake offers fishing for smallmouth bass and panfish; additional nearby lakes (Clear Lake, Rush Lake) provide more options.Swimming
Informal shoreline swimming from lake edge (no lifeguard or developed beach).Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
Hazards
General hazardsSeasonal insect outbreaks (mosquitoes, black flies, occasional tent caterpillars reported). Variable/spotty cell service. Proximity to M-33 can cause highway noise at some sites. Minimal facilities (vault toilets, no hookups) require self-sufficiency.
Weather at Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
24
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 88%
Wind: 9.7 mph
Overcast
Weather History
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Good to know
Common complaintsSeasonal insects (mosquitoes, black flies) and occasional tent caterpillar outbreaks reported by some visitors; some sites can hear road noise from M-33; no electric hookups or modern amenities which may be a downside for those expecting developed facilities.
Campground Map
Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated 6 miles north of Atlanta via M-33.
Accessible via M-33 (campground is 6 miles north of Atlanta on M-33).Nearby places
Clear Lake (≈3 miles NE), Rush Lake (≈4 miles NE), Atlanta (6 miles).
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.5
35 reviews
Jackson Lake State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Mostly positive reviewer sentiment emphasizing a quiet, well-kept, rustic lakeside campground with large wooded sites, many with lake access. Reviewers frequently praise clean outhouses, ORV trail access, and scenic privacy; common minor drawbacks include bugs, occasional tent-caterpillar events, and some highway noise.
Review Summaries
Based on 35 reviews
What Campers Love
Quiet, scenic lakeside setting; many large, shaded sites with direct or close lake access; clean vault toilets and functioning hand-pump potable water; direct access to ORV trails and multiuse...
Based on 35 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Arrive early because sites are first-come, first-served; bring lanterns/power banks and supplies (no electricity or hookups), and pack for bugs. Bring a Michigan Recreation Passport for vehicle...
Based on 35 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
"It's my favorite place to camp. It's a rustic camp ground with hand pumped water and outhouses."; "GREAT CAMPING!!!!"; "Quiet place"; "Clean bathroom large camping area"; "Many sites right on the...
Based on 35 reviewsShow more
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Last updated December 13, 2025
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