Ossineke State Forest Campground

4.57

82 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

42 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Ossineke State Forest Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

One reviewer reported a $15 fee; campsites are self-registered at the campground (cash or check only).

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

(989) 734-2543

What Campers Say

4.57

Top-Rated

Based on 82 reviews

78 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulspaciouslakebeach

"Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the sandy Lake Huron beach, spacious and well‑spaced wooded sites, peaceful/quiet atmosphere, and a helpful campground host. Common practical drawbacks are rustic facilities (vault toilets, no hookups or showers), limited/spotty cell service, and wildlife/critters raiding food."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at Ossineke 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 DNR website.

Best Time to Camp at Ossineke State Forest Campground

While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that seasonal roads remain unplowed when snow falls. Summer brings warm days perfect for beach lounging, though you'll want to pack a sweatshirt for those crisp evening campfires—Lake Huron has a way of cooling things down after sunset. Spring and fall offer spectacular shoulder-season beauty, and yes, the mosquitoes are as much a part of the Great Lakes experience as the stunning sunsets. Weather on these big waters can shift quickly, so come prepared for anything Mother Nature might send your way.

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.

About Ossineke State Forest Campground

Escape to a peaceful cedar-forested retreat where the woods meet Lake Huron's sandy shores. This rustic campground offers generously spaced sites nestled among the trees, with a scenic boardwalk leading you to the water's edge. A friendly campground host is on-site throughout the season to ensure your stay is memorable.

Rustic state forest campground directly on Lake Huron with 42 sites sized for tents and small to large trailers; first-come, first-served (no reservations).

Weather and SeasonsWhile the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that seasonal roads remain unplowed when snow falls. Summer brings warm days perfect for beach lounging, though you'll want to pack a sweatshirt for those crisp evening campfires—Lake Huron has a way of cooling things down after sunset. Spring and fall offer spectacular shoulder-season beauty, and yes, the mosquitoes are as much a part of the Great Lakes experience as the stunning sunsets. Weather on these big waters can shift quickly, so come prepared for anything Mother Nature might send your way.

Natural Features and SceneryWake up to the sound of Lake Huron's waves lapping against a pristine sandy beach that stretches before you. The campground embraces its natural character—think towering cedars and native woodland vegetation that create shady, private pockets between sites rather than manicured lawns. A charming boardwalk winds through the forest to the shoreline, where Thunder Bay's stunning waters await. This is Great Lakes camping at its most authentic: simple, beautiful, and deeply connected to the landscape.

Geological RegionLake Huron / Thunder Bay shoreline; Great Lakes coastal beach forest with cedar and mixed woods.

Campsite details

Total Campsites42 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

Picnic tables

Cell phone service

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Lakeside, rustic campground offering beach access and water-based recreation, plus nearby trail and winter activities. Suitable for quiet beach visits, paddling, fishing and shoreline exploration.

Hiking

Informal walking and exploring along the shoreline and wooded campground roads/paths.

Fishing

Access to nearby waters; Devil's River (just north) is a popular fishing spot for trout, smallmouth bass and chinook salmon.

Swimming

Sandy Lake Huron beach and boardwalk provide beach swimming when conditions and temperatures allow.

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsVariable Lake Huron conditions (waves, wind), limited cell service for some carriers, wildlife (visitors report bold squirrels), and unplowed seasonal roads in winter.

Weather at Ossineke State Forest Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 60%

Wind: 10.1 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsRustic facilities only (vault toilets, hand-pump water, no electricity or showers), spotty cell reception for non‑Verizon users, occasional bold wildlife (squirrels, raccoons) that will take unsecured food, and insect issues in lowland areas.

Campground Map

Ossineke State Forest Campground

Driving directionsLocated one mile east of Ossineke via US-23 S and Ossineke Road. Follow signage from US-23 to the campground entrance.

Accessible directly from US-23; campground is one mile east of Ossineke on Ossineke Road.

Nearby places

Alpena: approximately 10 miles north (campground is roughly 10 miles south of Alpena).

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6

82 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive: visitors praise the sandy Lake Huron beach, spacious and well‑spaced wooded sites, peaceful/quiet atmosphere, and a helpful campground host. Common practical drawbacks are rustic facilities (vault toilets, no hookups or showers), limited/spotty cell service, and wildlife/critters raiding food.

Review Summaries

Based on 82 reviews

What Campers Love

Fantastic sandy beach and beach access from many sites; spacious, private-feeling sites in a cedar/wooded setting; peaceful nights with lake sounds; visible, helpful campground host noted by multiple...

Based on 82 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early (first-come, first-served; no reservations). Bring secure food storage to deter squirrels/raccoons, bring drinking water or treat pump water as some users report rusty/cloudy pump water,...

Based on 82 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Will always be my favorite campground. On the shores of lake huron with a pristine beach." — reviewer; "No electricity or showers. Vault toilets." — reviewer noting facilities.

Based on 82 reviews