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

Shoepac 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 Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground has 6 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 Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground?

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

How many campsites does Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground have?

Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground has 25 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Shoepac 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 Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground?

Shoepac 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 Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Shoepac 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.

Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

4.42

24 reviews

Top 18% in MIWinter

Summer Destination

Featured in:Forest Camping Michigan Hiking Camping Michigan Spring Camping Michigan +4 more

Quick Facts

856 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

856 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

25 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Shoepac 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) 733-8279

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

45.2393, -84.1715

Nearby places

Onaway (approximately 12 miles)

Millersburg (nearby, distance not specified)

Nearby supplies

Onaway provides fuel and basic supplies

Weather at Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

Summer is the standout season. Daytime highs run mid-60s to low-80s F, with cool nights in the 45–55°F range. Water levels are best, trails dry out for biking, and long daylight stretches mean more time on the lake and for stargazing. Early-morning fishing conditions are calm. Crowds stay low to moderate even in peak season, so you get lake solitude with good weather. Winter and mud season are less practical given the rustic setup and dirt roads.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer is the standout season: best water levels, dry trails, warm days and long daylight.

Planning Tips

About Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground sits on the shore of a 52-acre lake in Michigan's Mackinaw State Forest, offering 25 first-come, first-served sites. The campground keeps things simple: vault toilets, hand-pumped well water, fire rings, and picnic tables. With a 4.8 rating from 24 reviews, visitors come for the quiet, the lake access, and trailhead proximity to the Sinkhole and High Country pathways.

A rustic state forest campground with tent and trailer/RV sites (first-come, first-served).

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the standout season. Daytime highs run mid-60s to low-80s F, with cool nights in the 45–55°F range. Water levels are best, trails dry out for biking, and long daylight stretches mean more time on the lake and for stargazing. Early-morning fishing conditions are calm. Crowds stay low to moderate even in peak season, so you get lake solitude with good weather. Winter and mud season are less practical given the rustic setup and dirt roads.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground fronts Shoepac Lake, a calm, glassy 52-acre body of water suited to paddling, swimming, and fishing. The shoreline is carry-in access only. Beyond the lake, the surrounding Mackinaw State Forest is known for its natural limestone sinkholes and rolling terrain at 856 feet elevation. Towering pines and mixed hardwoods frame the sites. The Sinkhole Pathway starts nearby and leads to dramatic sinkholes carved into the forest floor. The High Country Pathway offers miles of hiking and mountain biking through dense northern woods. Wildlife sightings are common.

Geological RegionMackinaw State Forest / northern Lower Peninsula; area features natural limestone sinkholes and rolling terrain

Scenic ViewsMost campsites are tucked into the woods and do not provide direct lakefront views; clear views of the lake are available at the small day-use/recreation area and beach. Sites are generally wooded and sheltered.

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 camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (campground is first-come, first-served; no reservations)

Total Campsites25 campsites

Best CampsitesReviewers favor deeper, back-in sites set away from the entrance and inner loop for privacy. Sites near campsite 20 are called out as particularly deep and private. Since reservations aren't available, arrive earlier in peak season to claim the better spots.

Amenities available

There are vault toilets. Potable (drinking) water is available from a hand-pump well. No electrical available.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Lake-based recreation (fishing, paddling, swimming) plus extensive nearby trails for hiking and mountain biking; wildlife viewing and winter activities are also noted.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSeasonal biting insects (stable flies noted in visitor reports) can be problematic. The area is used for hunting on surrounding state forest lands during seasons, so campers should be aware of hunting activity and follow applicable safety rules.

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

4.4

24 reviews

Recommended

Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, praising the campground's quiet, rustic character, lakeside recreation and nearby trails.

Review Summaries

Based on 24 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, remote and rustic setting; pleasant lake for swimming, paddling and fishing; large, well-spaced campsites; close proximity to the Sinkhole and High Country pathways; reviewers note clean...

Based on 24 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations) — plan to arrive earlier in peak season. Bring paddling and fishing gear; families note a rope swing and good swimming. Reviewers also describe it...

Based on 24 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Love this little campground. Kids love the rope swing into the water.”; “Was wonderful...lots of trails for hiking...near the sinkhole pathway.”; “Great quiet rustic campground A+”

Based on 24 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Paddlers, swimmers, and hikers who can arrive early on a summer Friday. Shoepac Lake is calm and uncrowded, the Sinkhole Pathway starts right here, and well-spaced wooded sites mean you won't be elbow-to-elbow with neighbors.

Skip if

No electric, no showers, and no way to reserve a site means a long drive for nothing if you arrive late on a peak weekend. Stable flies can also be genuinely brutal in summer, anyone who camps light on bug protection will feel it.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.6

(47)

Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground

Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground sits on the wooded shore of a 40-acre lake in northern Lower Michigan's Presque Isle County. The 25 first-come, first-served sites offer rustic camping with hand-pump water, vault toilets, and a sandy beach. Several sites sit directly on the lake with easy kayak access, and the High Country Pathway runs through the property.