North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

4.61

38 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$22/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$22/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

$22.00 - $22.00 / night

Campsite Fees

User reviews list a nightly fee of $22; official fee schedule not provided on the supplied sources.

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

4.61

Top-Rated

Based on 38 reviews

39 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietspaciouswaterlake

Some mention

mosquitoescell service

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the quiet, scenic lakefront sites, large wooded sites with good spacing and excellent opportunities for paddling and fishing. The site is characterized as rustic and remote, which is part of its appeal for those seeking solitude."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

$22/night

Campsite fees

Prices verified December 13, 2025

Prices may vary by season and site type. Always confirm current rates on the official Michigan DNR website.

Best Time to Camp at North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

The Upper Peninsula sky puts on a spectacular show here, with inky-dark nights perfect for stargazing and spotting the Milky Way in all its glory. Summer brings warm days ideal for swimming and paddling, though you'll want to pack bug spray for those persistent midsummer mosquitoes. While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that seasonal roads aren't plowed, making this a true warm-weather destination for most campers.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

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 in winter.

About North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

Escape to North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground, where rustic lakeside sites nestle into 120 acres of pristine northwoods forest in Schoolcraft County. This wonderfully undeveloped gem offers the rare gift of true solitude—picture yourself camping steps from the water's edge, surrounded by towering trees, with nothing but stars overhead and the gentle lap of waves to lull you to sleep.

Rustic, lakeside state forest campground suited primarily to tent camping and primitive/rustic camping; some small trailers/RVs can access sites but there are no RV hookups.

Weather and SeasonsThe Upper Peninsula sky puts on a spectacular show here, with inky-dark nights perfect for stargazing and spotting the Milky Way in all its glory. Summer brings warm days ideal for swimming and paddling, though you'll want to pack bug spray for those persistent midsummer mosquitoes. While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that seasonal roads aren't plowed, making this a true warm-weather destination for most campers.

Natural Features and SceneryGemini Lake's 120-acre expanse provides the stunning backdrop for this primitive camping experience, where mixed northwoods forest meets crystal-clear water. Many sites boast direct lake frontage, while others are just a short stroll through the trees to your own quiet stretch of shore. The gently rolling terrain showcases the best of Michigan's central Upper Peninsula—think towering pines, hardwoods, and that unmistakable north country charm that makes you want to linger just one more day.

Geological RegionCentral Upper Peninsula of Michigan (northwoods forest setting)

Campsite details

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

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 in winter.

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Lake-centered, low‑key recreation: paddling, small-boat use and fishing are primary activities; informal hiking and wildlife viewing in the surrounding state forest are common. Snowmobile and winter opportunities exist but roads are not plowed in winter.

Hiking

Informal hiking and walking on nearby state forest roads and unmarked trails; no major named hiking trails listed from the campground.

Fishing

Gemini Lake supports fishing (reports and state information note walleye, pike, smallmouth bass and perch). Nearby lakes (Ross Lake, Canoe Lake) provide additional opportunities.

Swimming

Many sites have short paths to the lake; swimmers report sandy-bottom access from shore at some sites.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsRemoteness and spotty/weak cell service are commonly reported. Insects (mosquitoes) can be intense in summer. Vault toilets and limited water mean campers must be self-sufficient; seasonal roads are not plowed in winter. Road dust on the access road/loop may be a nuisance in dry conditions.

Weather at North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 77%

Wind: 14 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsRustic facilities (vault/pit toilets that some reviewers found smelly), mosquitoes in summer, limited or spotty cell service, limited signage/access road can be easy to miss, and lack of hookups or modern conveniences.

Campground Map

North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

Driving directionsLocated in Schoolcraft County, ten miles northeast of Melstrand via County Road H-58 and County Road 450.

Accessible via County Road H-58 and County Road 450; remote location with seasonal roads that are not plowed in winter.

Nearby places

Munising and Manistique are the nearest larger towns (distances not specified in source).

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6

38 reviews

Top-Rated

North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the quiet, scenic lakefront sites, large wooded sites with good spacing and excellent opportunities for paddling and fishing. The site is characterized as rustic and remote, which is part of its appeal for those seeking solitude.

Review Summaries

Based on 38 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, uncrowded atmosphere; many lakeside sites with direct or short-path access to Gemini Lake; spacious, wooded sites with good separation; excellent stargazing and loon/waterfowl observations;...

Based on 38 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early or on a weekday to secure desirable waterfront sites; reviewers recommend specific sites (e.g., #8 or sites on the lake-facing outer loop) for best views and lake access. Bring insect...

Based on 38 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Absolutely my most favorite place in the world!!!!!"; "If you can, nab #8. Best views IMHO. The loons will sing you to sleep."; "Very nice campground ... the sites are large with trees or brush in...

Based on 38 reviews