Is Maple Bay State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Maple Bay 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 Maple Bay State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Maple Bay 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 Maple Bay State Forest Campground?

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

How many campsites does Maple Bay State Forest Campground have?

Maple Bay State Forest Campground has 35 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Maple Bay State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Maple Bay 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 Maple Bay State Forest Campground?

Maple Bay 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 Maple Bay State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Maple Bay State Forest Campground include Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Maple Bay State Forest Campground

4.08

105 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Fishing Camping Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

650 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

35 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

650 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

35 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Michigan DNR

Get Directions

Maple Bay State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

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 to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(231) 238-9392

Been here recently?

Campers like you keep our info accurate. Fix a detail in under 30 seconds.

Plan a trip to Maple Bay State Forest Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

What Campers Say

4.08

Satisfactory

Based on 105 reviews

94 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewspeacefulcleanlake

Some mention

noisemosquitoes

"Reviewers consistently praise the beautiful lakeside setting, sandy beach and outstanding sunrise/sunset views from front lakeside sites. Common negatives emphasize the rustic facilities (vault toilets, hand-pump water), swampy/muddy back sites with heavy mosquitoes, and limited prime lakeside sites that fill quickly on summer weekends."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Maple Bay State Forest Campground

45.4876, -84.7080

Nearby places

Brutus — ~3.5–4 miles west

Petoskey — mentioned as a short drive (distance not specified).

Best Time to Camp at Maple Bay State Forest Campground

Summer brings the warmest and most reliable conditions. Daytime highs run 70–85°F, with water temps often reaching 65–75°F by mid-summer. Long evenings suit campfires and watching sunsets over the lake. The low elevation and proximity to water mean the campground stays damp, especially after rain. Mosquitoes and black flies are active in warm, wet periods. Bring good repellent. Holiday weekends draw moderate crowds, but weekdays stay quieter.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Warmest, most reliable season; water temps 65–75°F and beach/boating are prime in summer.

Planning Tips

About Maple Bay State Forest Campground

Maple Bay State Forest Campground sits on the western shore of Burt Lake, offering 35 first-come, first-served sites with vault toilets and hand-pump water. The draw is the sandy beach and direct water access. Front lakeside sites fill quickly on summer weekends.

Rustic state forest campground with 35 sites suitable for tents, small trailers and large trailers. First-come, first-serve sites; no reservations.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the warmest and most reliable conditions. Daytime highs run 70–85°F, with water temps often reaching 65–75°F by mid-summer. Long evenings suit campfires and watching sunsets over the lake. The low elevation and proximity to water mean the campground stays damp, especially after rain. Mosquitoes and black flies are active in warm, wet periods. Bring good repellent. Holiday weekends draw moderate crowds, but weekdays stay quieter.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies wooded terrain at 650 feet elevation along Maple Bay. Front sites open onto Burt Lake with views across the water and direct access to a sandy beach. A grassy day-use area sits nearby. Interior sites back into denser forest on low-lying, often swampy ground that holds moisture. The setting is classic northern Michigan: tall hardwoods, quiet water, and plenty of bugs when it's warm and wet.

Geological RegionNorthern Lower Michigan (west shore of Burt Lake)

Scenic ViewsFront lakeside sites provide direct sunrise/sunset views over Burt Lake/Maple Bay; many reviewers highlight these waterfront views as a major attraction.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15 days

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (note: this campground is first-come, first-served; no reservations)

Total Campsites35 campsites

Best CampsitesFront lakeside sites are the most sought-after. They offer open views over Maple Bay, easier beach access, and drier ground than back sites. Arrive early to claim one, since the campground operates first-come, first-served.

Amenities available

Rustic state forest campground with 35 wooded, generally private sites on the west shore of Burt Lake. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well; no reservations (first-come, first-serve) and a 15-day maximum stay. On-site boat launch, sandy shoreline and adjacent day-use/ grassy recreation area.

Potable water

Vault toilets

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Primary activities include boating and paddling (on-site boat launch and carry-in access), fishing on Burt Lake, swimming and beach use at a sandy shoreline and adjacent grassy recreation area, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. The campground also provides access to nearby state land for hunting (follow state hunting regulations).

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHigh mosquito and other biting insect populations (especially in back/swampy sites); boggy/muddy ground in low areas; poison ivy around some sites and picnic areas; raccoons active at night that may access food if not secured.

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 Maple Bay 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

105 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Reviewers consistently praise the beautiful lakeside setting, sandy beach and outstanding sunrise/sunset views from front lakeside sites. Common negatives emphasize the rustic facilities (vault toilets, hand-pump water), swampy/muddy back sites with heavy mosquitoes, and limited prime lakeside sites that fill quickly on summer weekends.

Review Summaries

Based on 105 reviews

What Campers Love

Front lakeside sites with open views over Maple Bay/Burt Lake; sandy beach and nearby grassy recreation area; easy boat access and on-site launch; many reviewers call it a peaceful, scenic 'hidden...

Based on 105 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure front lakeside sites (first-come, first-serve). Bring strong insect repellent and plan for mosquitoes in warm/wet periods. Secure food and coolers against raccoons. Expect...

Based on 105 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Nearby Campgrounds

Burt Lake Group Camp is a single primitive tent site in Burt Lake State Park that accommodates up to 25 campers. The park sits on the southern shore of Burt Lake near Indian River, offering direct access to a sandy beach and the Inland Waterway system. Vault toilets are the only on-site facility. Call the park office directly to reserve.