Is Round Lake State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Round Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Round Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Round Lake State Forest Campground has 14 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Round Lake State Forest Campground?

Round Lake State Forest Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Round Lake State Forest Campground have?

Round Lake State Forest Campground has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Round Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Round Lake State Forest Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Round Lake State Forest Campground?

Round Lake State Forest Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Round Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Round Lake State Forest Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Round Lake State Forest Campground

4.00

23 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Michigan

Quick Facts

938 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

938 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Round Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Overnight fees ($20 for most sites) and registration procedures are posted at the information kiosk at each campground.

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(989) 732-5485

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Round Lake State Forest Campground

45.1344, -84.4534

Nearby places

Vanderbilt — 14 miles (via Sturgeon Valley Road and Round Lake Road)

Gaylord — nearby town (distance not specified).

Weather at Round Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Round Lake State Forest Campground

Summer delivers the best conditions: daytime highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit, nights cooling into the 50s and 60s. Swimming, boating, and fishing are all viable from June through August, and the small site count keeps crowds manageable even on busy weekends. Arrive early on summer Saturdays if you want a lakeside spot. Spring and fall are quieter but bring unpredictable weather and cooler water temps. Bug pressure, including ticks, picks up in late spring and early summer; pack repellent and check yourself after hikes.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer best: swimming, boating and fishing are viable; daytime highs in 70s–80s noted.

Planning Tips

About Round Lake State Forest Campground

Round Lake State Forest Campground sits on the shore of Round Lake in Michigan's Pigeon River Country State Forest, 10 primitive sites scattered among mature pines and hardwoods at 938 feet elevation. The campground operates first-come, first-served with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Direct lake access and a quiet, well-spaced layout make it a solid choice for anglers and paddlers who don't mind rustic conditions.

A small, rustic state forest campground primarily for tent camping and small trailers; no modern hookups.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the best conditions: daytime highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit, nights cooling into the 50s and 60s. Swimming, boating, and fishing are all viable from June through August, and the small site count keeps crowds manageable even on busy weekends. Arrive early on summer Saturdays if you want a lakeside spot. Spring and fall are quieter but bring unpredictable weather and cooler water temps. Bug pressure, including ticks, picks up in late spring and early summer; pack repellent and check yourself after hikes.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies forested shoreline on Round Lake, sites tucked under a canopy of mature hardwoods and pines. The lake itself is clear enough for swimming off a small beach and supports shore fishing for bass and panfish. Spacing between sites is generous by state-forest standards, with enough vegetation to create privacy even in a 10-site footprint. The High Country Pathway, a multi-mile hiking and biking trail through northern Michigan forest, runs nearby. Wildlife sightings are common in the surrounding Pigeon River Country. Expect deer, varied birdlife, and the occasional loon call across the water at dusk.

Geological RegionPigeon River Country State Forest

Scenic ViewsLakeside views of Round Lake; many sites overlook or are within short walking distance of the water. Interior forest sites provide more shade and privacy.

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 not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

Total Campsites10 campsites

Best CampsitesLakeside sites offer direct water views, easy swimming access, and the best fishing. Interior sites trade the view for more shade and better privacy under the forest canopy. No specific site numbers are called out in reviews, but getting close to the water is the main draw.

Amenities available

There are 10 sites for tent and small trailer use. There are vault toilets. Potable (drinking) water is available from a hand-pump well. No electrical available.

Potable water

Fire rings

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Small, rustic lakeside campground offering shoreline access to Round Lake and nearby trails. Popular activities include fishing, paddling, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsArea is in public forest land open to hunting (firearm hunting not allowed within 450 feet of an occupied dwelling). Visitors have reported ticks; remote, rustic setting means limited services and variable cell reception.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.0

23 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Most reviews are highly positive, praising a peaceful, quiet lakeside setting with spacious, well-spaced sites, good fishing and kayaking. A minority of reviews call out maintenance issues (overflowing trash, unclean vault toilets) and tick presence.

Review Summaries

Based on 23 reviews

What Campers Love

Peaceful, secluded lakeside location; scenic views; spacious and private sites; good shore fishing; suitable for kayaking and swimming.

Based on 23 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

This is rustic, first-come/first-served camping — bring supplies (including toilet paper), insect repellent, and be prepared for limited services. Choose lakeside sites for views and swimming or...

Based on 23 reviews

Camper Quotes

"A slice of heaven in Michigan. Beautiful park."; "Nice and peaceful. Great small lake to float around on the kayak."; "Outhouses had garbage all over in them... No one showed up at all in the 3 days...

Based on 23 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Anglers and paddlers who can arrive early on summer Saturdays will find the lakeside sites hard to beat. The Pigeon River runs about a mile west with brown, brook, and rainbow trout, and the lake itself handles kayaks and bass fishing without a crowd.

Skip if

Vault toilets here have drawn real complaints: no toilet paper stocked, cleaning inconsistent, trash sometimes overflowing. Bring your own supplies and low expectations for facilities, or the rustic reality will grate fast.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.1

(34)

Pigeon Bridge State Forest Campground

Pigeon Bridge State Forest Campground sits along the Pigeon River in Michigan's Pigeon River Country State Forest, about ten miles north of Vanderbilt. The campground has ten primitive sites available first-come, first-served, with vault toilets and a hand-pump well. Several sites face the river directly.