Kingston Lake State Forest Campground
4.3441 reviewsKingston Lake State Forest Campground
Quick Facts
Price
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
16 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
16 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
No Service
Pets
Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsKingston Lake State Forest Campground
$15.00 - $15.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Per-night fee reported in visitor reviews; official fee not listed in the scraped DNR content.
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
Get Notified When Available
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes
167,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications
Share this campground
Michigan
Provider(906) 341-2355
What Campers Say
4.34
Recommended
Based on 41 reviews
41 Google reviews
Most mentioned
viewsprivacypeacefulspacious
Some mention
smallcell service
"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the campground's secluded, lakefront setting, spacious and private sites, strong paddling/fishing access, and peaceful atmosphere. Many reviewers describe it as rustic but well-maintained and note limited amenities."
Fees & Passes at Kingston Lake State Forest Campground
$15/night
Campsite fees
Stay Limit: 15-day maximum stay
Prices verified December 13, 2025
Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Michigan Department of Natural Resources website.
Best Time to Camp at Kingston Lake State Forest Campground
While officially open year-round, this campground truly shines during the warmer months when the seasonal access roads are passable. Winter adventurers should note that roads and the campground itself aren't plowed, so snow may limit access during colder months—though for those willing to ski or snowshoe in, the solitude can be magical.
Best
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
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
- Operating Season: Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.
About Kingston Lake State Forest Campground
Discover a hidden gem on Kingston Lake where 16 rustic campsites nestle along a scenic peninsula, most with stunning waterfront views. This first-come, first-served campground managed by Indian Lake State Park offers the perfect blend of peaceful lakeside camping and easy paddling access, complete with vault toilets and hand-pumped well water.
Small rustic state forest campground primarily for tent campers and small trailers on a lake peninsula; first-come, first-served.
Historical SignificanceLocated on the northern edge of the Kingston Plains, an area shaped by late-1800s logging that left a "sea of stumps" and influenced local forest composition.
Weather and SeasonsWhile officially open year-round, this campground truly shines during the warmer months when the seasonal access roads are passable. Winter adventurers should note that roads and the campground itself aren't plowed, so snow may limit access during colder months—though for those willing to ski or snowshoe in, the solitude can be magical.
Natural Features and SceneryYour campsite on this slender peninsula puts you right where the Kingston Plains meet the crystal-clear waters of Kingston Lake. Wake up to gentle waves lapping at the shore from one of the many lakefront sites, surrounded by a peaceful mix of second-growth forest and sandy pine uplands. As evening falls, listen for the haunting calls of loons echoing across the calm water, then look up to find yourself under some of the darkest, most star-filled skies you've ever seen. The open, sandy terrain dotted with pines creates an airy, northwoods atmosphere that feels worlds away from everyday life.
Geological RegionNorthern edge of the Kingston Plains (Upper Peninsula, Alger County)
Advertisement
Campsite details
Total Campsites16 campsites
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 are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com
Amenities available
Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Quiet, water-focused campground on a peninsula in Kingston Lake offering paddling, fishing, hiking access, and seasonal winter recreation. Trail and trailhead access nearby make it a base for exploring Pictured Rocks and local forestlands.
Hiking
Fox River Pathway departs from the campground; hikers can go about 4 miles north to Lake Superior or use the longer route toward Seney (about 27.5 miles total).Fishing
Anglers fish Kingston Lake for muskie, bluegill, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and walleye; nearby lakes (Gemini, Beaver) offer additional fishing opportunities.Advertisement
Campground rules
- Pets are allowed
- Follow state firewood rules to prevent transporting pests; no specific campground fire ban information provided.
Hazards
General hazardsLimited to no cell service at the campground; surrounding state land is open to hunting. Seasonal road closures/being unplowed in winter can limit access.
Weather at Kingston Lake State Forest Campground
22
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 74%
Wind: 13.5 mph
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
Detailed 7-Day Forecast
Powered by AI weather analysis
Reveal forecast
Good to know
Common complaintsRustic facilities only—no showers or hookups; hand-pump well water can be discolored or taste metallic (visitors often bring their own drinking water); no or very poor cell service; small campground (16 sites) fills up quickly and is first-come, first-served.
Campground Map
Kingston Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsAccessible via H-58; located about 16.5 miles southwest of Grand Marais (via H-58).
Direct access from H-58; seasonal roads and campground access are not plowed in winter.Nearby places
Grand Marais — ~16.5 miles SW via H-58
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.3
41 reviews
Kingston Lake State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the campground's secluded, lakefront setting, spacious and private sites, strong paddling/fishing access, and peaceful atmosphere. Many reviewers describe it as rustic but well-maintained and note limited amenities.
Review Summaries
Based on 41 reviews
What Campers Love
Peaceful, secluded peninsula setting with many lakefront sites; excellent paddling/canoe/kayak access; spacious, well-spaced sites with good privacy and lake views; proximity to Pictured Rocks and...
Based on 41 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
Arrive early (sites fill fast, even on weekdays); bring your own drinking water or a filter due to brown/metallic-tasting pump water; plan for no cell service; bring insect repellent and your own...
Based on 41 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
"One of my favorite campgrounds ever."; "No cell reception which is awesome."; "Bring your own water... the stuff out of the pump is brown and smells horrible!"
Based on 41 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5
Last updated December 13, 2025
Advertisement