4.0015 reviewsPrice
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$15/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
10 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Ross Lake State Forest Campground
46.4849, -86.2661
Paddlers and bass fishers who want a quiet base near Pictured Rocks will find this fits well. Sites are spacious despite the small count, water from the hand-pump well is consistently praised as clean, and the boat launch is a quarter-mile out.
No showers and no hookups are the floor here. Ten sites fill fast with no reservation option, so anyone who can't arrive early on a summer weekend may drive out empty-handed. Heavy bug pressure mid-summer also turns off campers who packed light on repellent.
Official information for Ross Lake State Forest Campground from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
This rustic campground is located on Ross Lake and offers excellent paddling and fishing opportunities. The lake is often fished for bluegill, pike and largemouth bass. The forested campground does not provide views of the lake, but there is a narrow, steep pathway between sites #3 and #4 that lead down to the lake. Some campsites also have narrow, steep pathways that provide water access. A boat launch is less than ¼ mile north of the campground where kayaks and canoes can be launched easily. The campground is fewer than 10 miles from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore . There are ten sites for tent, small trailer and large trailer use. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 22 miles northeast of Shingleton via H-15, H-58 and Russ Lake Road. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. View Campground closing and opening dates .
Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.
Summer brings daytime highs around 65–80°F and cool nights in the mid-40s to low-60s, making it the best window for boating and fishing. Water access is easiest then, and long daylight hours stretch your time on the lake. Bugs can be intense, so bring serious repellent. Winter transforms access entirely. Unplowed roads mean you'll need the right vehicle or plan to ski or snowshoe in. Spring and fall offer easier access with fewer people, though the water stays cold into early summer.
Best season for boating and fishing; comfortable temps (65–80°F) and long daylight.
Rustic 10-site campground with vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. No reservations (first-come, first-served); 15-day maximum stay. Managed by Indian Lake State Park; located on Ross Lake with nearby boat launch.
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