Jackson Lake State Forest Campground

4.46

37 reviews

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

948 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources site

Official Website

Get Directions

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...

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

(989) 785-4388

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What Campers Say

4.46

Recommended

Based on 37 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."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Jackson Lake State Forest Campground

45.0888, -84.1605

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).

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.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Warm 70s–80s and ideal for lake activities; reviewers praise summer experiences.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Wooded hardwoods suggest good fall color and hiking, though fall-specific notes are limited.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.0 / 5

Spring access exists but reviews note bugs and variable conditions in shoulder season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

No winter services mentioned; northern Michigan winters likely cold and facilities are primitive.

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.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

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.

HikingClear 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.

FishingJackson Lake offers fishing for smallmouth bass and panfish; additional nearby lakes (Clear Lake, Rush Lake) provide more options.

SwimmingInformal shoreline swimming from lake edge (no lifeguard or developed beach).

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal 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

Reviews

4.5

37 reviews

Recommended

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 37 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 37 reviews

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 37 reviews

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 37 reviews

0 review

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Last updated February 2, 2026

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