Is King Lake State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

King Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at King Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! King Lake State Forest Campground has 5 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at King Lake State Forest Campground?

King Lake State Forest Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at King Lake State Forest Campground?

Fire policies at King Lake State Forest Campground: Visitor reports indicate fire rings/pits and picnic tables at sites; campers should follow Michigan DNR fire regulations. (No specific formal fire policy printed on the scraped page.). Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does King Lake State Forest Campground have?

King Lake State Forest Campground has 6 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at King Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at King Lake State Forest Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at King Lake State Forest Campground?

King Lake State Forest Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at King Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at King Lake State Forest Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

King Lake State Forest Campground

4.06

37 reviews

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,680 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Michigan DNR

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,680 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Michigan DNR

Get Directions

King Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No fee is listed on the official DNR campground page provided. Visitor reviews report a $15 site fee and an additional $9 nonresident/out-of-state...

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) 353-6558

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What Campers Say

4.06

Satisfactory

Based on 37 reviews

25 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietshadelakesites

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Reviewers consistently praise the campground's seclusion, lakeside setting, wildlife and good fishing. Common negatives are heavy mosquitoes in season and limited/primitive facilities (vault toilets, occasional garbage or toilet maintenance issues)."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

King Lake State Forest Campground

46.5310, -88.4021

Nearby places

Covington ~14.8 miles

Michigamme ~13 miles (to the M-28/US-141 junction mentioned in directions).

Driving directionsAccess off US-41/M-28 on King Lake Road (gravel). From Covington the campground is about 14.8 miles east via US-141 North, US-41 South and King Lake Road. The road junction is 5 miles east of the US-14 and M-28/US-141 junction and 13 miles west of Michigamme; the campground is at the end of King Lake Road (about 5 miles down).

Access via US-41/M-28 onto King Lake Road (gravel). The campground is reached by approximately 5 miles down King Lake Road; road is unpaved/gravel.

Best Time to Camp at King Lake State Forest Campground

Fall delivers the best conditions: mid-40s to mid-60s°F days and 20s–30s°F nights from September through October, with dramatically reduced mosquito activity and peak foliage color. Summer brings the heaviest bug pressure. Black flies and mosquitoes are intense enough that multiple reviewers call them the campground's main drawback. The campground remains open year-round without official closures, though winter access on the dirt road may be challenging.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 25% in MI

Described as best season: cool days, reduced mosquitoes and peak foliage color.

Planning Tips

About King Lake State Forest Campground

King Lake State Forest Campground sits on the north shore of 498-acre King Lake in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering six first-come, first-served sites for tents and small trailers. The rustic setup includes vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. A simple boat launch provides lake access, and the five-mile gravel approach road keeps crowds thin.

Rustic, small campground with six sites intended for tent camping and small trailers; first-come, first-served.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions: mid-40s to mid-60s°F days and 20s–30s°F nights from September through October, with dramatically reduced mosquito activity and peak foliage color. Summer brings the heaviest bug pressure. Black flies and mosquitoes are intense enough that multiple reviewers call them the campground's main drawback. The campground remains open year-round without official closures, though winter access on the dirt road may be challenging.

Natural Features and SceneryKing Lake spreads out with scattered rocky islands dotting the surface, surrounded by dense northern hardwood forest that blazes orange and red each fall. The largely undeveloped shoreline and surrounding mixed woods support moose, deer, bald eagles, and loons. The elevation sits at 1,680 feet, and the forested setting provides ample shade across the campground. Paddlers navigate between islands while anglers work the shoreline for good fishing.

Scenic ViewsLakeside views of King Lake and its rocky islands from several sites; most desirable sites are those adjacent to the water.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Total Campsites6 campsites

Best CampsitesLakeside sites offer direct water views and easier launch access. Reviewers emphasize arriving early to claim these spots, as all six sites fill quickly on fall weekends despite the remote location. Sites are described as large and well-shaded.

Amenities available

Small, rustic campground with basic amenities: vault toilets, a hand-pump well for potable water, picnic tables and fire rings at sites; no electricity or hookups. Six tent/small-trailer sites; first-come, first-served, no reservations.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Activities center on water access and wildlife viewing: fishing, paddling and small-boat use on King Lake, plus informal walking/woods exploring and hunting access on surrounding state land.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHunting occurs on surrounding state land (observe firearm/no-shoot buffers). Mosquitoes can be heavy in season. Wildlife such as moose may be present.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Weather at King Lake 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

4.1

37 reviews

Satisfactory

King Lake State Forest Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the campground's seclusion, lakeside setting, wildlife and good fishing. Common negatives are heavy mosquitoes in season and limited/primitive facilities (vault toilets, occasional garbage or toilet maintenance issues).

Review Summaries

Based on 37 reviews

What Campers Love

Very private and quiet; scenic lake with rocky islands ideal for paddling; good fishing; several lakeside sites and large, shaded sites; simple boat launch.

Based on 37 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure a lakeside site; bring bug repellent and be well stocked (no services on-site); small trailers, vans or tents recommended over large rigs; expect a gravel/dirt 5-mile road in.

Based on 37 reviews

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Nearby Campgrounds

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Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper

Big Lake State Forest Campground-Upper sits on the eastern shore of Big Lake near Covington in Baraga County's northwoods. The 15 primitive sites are first-come, first-served, and several perch right on the waterline. Visitors come for the fishing, the quiet paddling, and the large, well-spaced sites under mature forest canopy.