Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground

4.28

53 reviews

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

755 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

35 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

755 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

35 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website

Get Directions

Milakokia Lake 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

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Michigan

Provider

(906) 492-3415

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What Campers Say

4.28

Satisfactory

Based on 53 reviews

47 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleanlake

Some mention

mosquitoessmall

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the quiet, lakeside setting, good fishing and secluded, wooded sites. Most visitors emphasize the campground's rustic character and cleanliness of the maintained vault toilets."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground

46.0842, -85.7927

Driving directionsFrom US-2: follow Pike Lake Grade/East Milakokia Lake Road to the campground. The site is about 7 miles southwest of Gould City and about 20 miles west of Naubinway via US-2 and local roads.

Accessible from US-2; final access via East Milakokia Lake Road and Pike Lake Grade (gravel/seasonal roads).

Nearby places

Gould City (~7 miles)

Naubinway (~20 miles)

Best Time to Camp at Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground

While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter transforms this area into a snowy wilderness accessible only to the most adventurous souls willing to trek in (roads and loops aren't plowed). Plan your visit knowing you'll experience true Upper Peninsula weather—gloriously cool summers, vibrant fall colors, and those legendary spring and early summer mosquito hatches. Pack your bug repellent and window screens from late May through July, and you'll be ready to enjoy everything this northern paradise has to offer.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Best season for paddling, swimming and fishing; reviews skew positive for warm months.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Wooded setting suggests strong fall colors and quieter visitation.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Spring offers fishing and paddling opportunities but can be wet/muddy; fewer amenities noted.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

Open year-round but roads/loops aren't plowed; winter visits require effort and limit services.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; seasonal roads and campground loops are not plowed in winter.

About Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground

Escape to Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground, a hidden gem tucked along the wooded northeast shore where 35 rustic, first-come first-served sites await adventure-seekers. This primitive lakeside retreat features two camping loops, vault toilets, hand-pump well water, and a convenient carry-in boat launch that puts you right on the water for your next paddling expedition.

A rustic state forest campground that accepts tents and trailers/RVs (no hookups). Primitive camping characteristics (vault toilets, no electricity).

Weather and SeasonsWhile the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter transforms this area into a snowy wilderness accessible only to the most adventurous souls willing to trek in (roads and loops aren't plowed). Plan your visit knowing you'll experience true Upper Peninsula weather—gloriously cool summers, vibrant fall colors, and those legendary spring and early summer mosquito hatches. Pack your bug repellent and window screens from late May through July, and you'll be ready to enjoy everything this northern paradise has to offer.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine waking up to sunlight dancing across Milakokia Lake, filtering through the dense forest canopy that surrounds your campsite. This secluded lakeshore haven offers the best of both worlds—many sites provide direct or near-direct water access, perfect for launching your kayak at dawn or casting a line from shore. The thick forest creates an authentic backwoods atmosphere that makes you feel miles away from civilization, offering the kind of peaceful solitude that serious paddlers, anglers, and nature lovers crave.

Geological RegionUpper Peninsula (Mackinac County)

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Amenities available

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

On‑site access to Milakokia Lake supports paddling, small‑boat use, fishing and informal swimming; a central picnic area is provided. The surrounding state forest also provides hunting access and quiet, wooded recreation.

FishingFishing for walleye, perch and pike is reported from the lake and from small boats launched at the campground.

SwimmingInformal lake swimming with several small sandy access areas at sites; lake has a shallow/warm character noted by visitors.

Boating

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal heavy insect activity (mosquitoes) in warm months; roads and loops not plowed in winter (winter access can be difficult). Hunting occurs on surrounding state land — be aware of hunting seasons and wear high-visibility clothing if recreating off-site. Some visitors report variable water quality from the hand-pump well.

Weather at Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground

Reviews

4.3

53 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the quiet, lakeside setting, good fishing and secluded, wooded sites. Most visitors emphasize the campground's rustic character and cleanliness of the maintained vault toilets.

Review Summaries

Based on 53 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, peaceful lakeside setting; many lakeside sites and secluded/wooded campsites; good paddling and fishing; generally clean and well‑kept vault toilets; several reviewers note nice sandy swim...

Based on 53 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

All sites are first‑come, first‑served — arrive early to secure a preferred site. Bring insect repellent, your own drinking water or filtration (well pump reported), and provisions; bring a generator...

Based on 53 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Great price. Very quiet. Clean."; "Lots of lakeside camp sites secluded and surprisingly empty for the fourth of July weekend."; "It's completely rustic which didn't bother me."

Based on 53 reviews

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Last updated February 2, 2026

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