Ross Lake State Forest Campground

4.58

12 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

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Quick Facts

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Ross Lake State Forest Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

$15 site fee reported by user review; Michigan Recreation Passport required for vehicle entry (per DNR policy for state forest campgrounds).

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

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Michigan

Provider

(906) 341-2355

What Campers Say

4.58

Top-Rated

Based on 12 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanwatersites

"Reviews emphasize a small, beautiful and secluded campground with good fishing, clean well water and clean restrooms. Common minor complaints include lack of showers and seasonal buginess; several reviewers note the campground is tiny but sites are roomy."

Read all reviews

Fees & Passes at Ross Lake 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 Ross Lake State Forest Campground

While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter transforms this spot into a true adventure destination. Snow blankets the unplowed roads, meaning cold-weather campers should come prepared with appropriate vehicles or embrace the journey on snowshoes or skis. Spring through fall offer the easiest access, with each season painting the forest in different colors and bringing its own unique charm to your lakeside escape.

Best

Spring (Mar-May)

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

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 Ross Lake State Forest Campground

Escape the crowds and discover your own slice of wilderness at Ross Lake State Forest Campground. This intimate ten-site retreat nestles in the forest along Ross Lake's peaceful shores, offering the kind of quiet, unplugged camping experience that's increasingly hard to find—all within easy reach of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Rustic state forest campground with 10 sites for tent and trailer (small and large) use; first-come, first-served.

Weather and SeasonsWhile the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter transforms this spot into a true adventure destination. Snow blankets the unplowed roads, meaning cold-weather campers should come prepared with appropriate vehicles or embrace the journey on snowshoes or skis. Spring through fall offer the easiest access, with each season painting the forest in different colors and bringing its own unique charm to your lakeside escape.

Natural Features and SceneryTowering trees create a natural canopy over this secluded lakeside haven, where dappled sunlight filters through the leaves and the forest feels like it's giving you a gentle embrace. Rather than sprawling lake views, you'll find yourself tucked into the woods with narrow footpaths winding down to the water's edge—perfect for those who prefer their nature up close and personal. Ross Lake itself is an angler's delight, teeming with bluegill, pike, and largemouth bass, while paddlers will appreciate the calm waters and easy boat launch just a quarter-mile up the road.

Geological RegionEastern Upper Peninsula (forest-surrounded inland lake)

Campsite details

Total Campsites10 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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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 in winter.

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Amenities available

Potable water

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Quiet, wooded campground focused on paddling and fishing with nearby motorized trail access and year-round (unplowed) availability.

Fishing

Ross Lake is fished for bluegill, pike and largemouth bass.

Boating

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsNarrow, steep footpaths to the lake from some sites (including between sites #3 and #4) can be challenging for people with mobility limitations or when carrying gear. Seasonal roads and campground are not plowed in winter. Expect possible motorized trail traffic when using ORV/snowmobile connections to nearby routes.

Weather at Ross Lake State Forest Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 81%

Wind: 12.8 mph

Overcast

Weather History

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Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Common complaintsNo showers; can be very buggy in summer. Limited number of sites means arriving early is recommended.

Campground Map

Ross Lake State Forest Campground

Driving directionsLocated 22 miles northeast of Shingleton via H-15, H-58 and Russ Lake Road. Also described as 14 miles northeast of Melstrand via County Roads H-58 and 450.

Accessible via H-15 and H-58 with final approach on county/forest roads (Russ Lake Road / County Road 450).

Nearby places

Melstrand — ~14 miles

Shingleton — ~22 miles.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.6

12 reviews

Top-Rated

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

Reviews emphasize a small, beautiful and secluded campground with good fishing, clean well water and clean restrooms. Common minor complaints include lack of showers and seasonal buginess; several reviewers note the campground is tiny but sites are roomy.

Review Summaries

Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

Secluded/quiet setting; close access to Pictured Rocks; good paddling and fishing; clean well water and clean vault toilets; roomy campsites.

Based on 12 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early (10 sites can fill); bring heavy-duty insect repellent; expect rustic conditions and bring supplies for dry camping; use the nearby boat launch for easier kayak/canoe access.

Based on 12 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Beautiful little campground outside of the Pictured Rock National Lakeshore. Nice place to get away from the crowded campgrounds."; "Just wish they had showers."; "$15 + Michigan Recreation fee;...

Based on 12 reviews