South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

Star4.50
27 reviews
South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

951 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

8 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan DNR site

Official Website
Get Directions
South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Fee amount not specified in provided materials. Sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations).
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

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground
Michigan
Provider
(906) 341-2355
Help improve this page
See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.50

Recommended

Based on 27 reviews

20 Google reviews

Most mentioned

privacyquietcleanlake

Some mention

mosquitoescell service

"Visitors consistently rate the campground highly for its quiet, secluded lakeside setting and simple, primitive experience; most reviews are 4–5 stars praising the fishing, paddling and dark night skies."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

46.4814, -86.3043

Driving directionsLocated 16.8 miles northeast of Shingleton via H-15, H-58, H-52 and County Road 454. Also described as 12 miles northeast of Melstrand via County Roads H-58 and 450.
Access via H-15, H-58, H-52 and county roads (454/450). Reached by forest/gravel roads; seasonal roads not plowed in winter.
Nearby places
Melstrand – ~12 miles
Shingleton – ~16.8 miles

Best Time to Camp at South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, each season brings its own character to this northwoods retreat. Summer and fall offer the full camping experience with accessible roads and flowing well water, while winter transforms the area into a snowy wilderness for the truly adventurous—just know that roads remain unplowed and services become limited. Spring through fall provides the classic Upper Peninsula camping conditions that draw people back year after year.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer offers full access, swimming/wading, paddling and fishing—peak season for this site.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Fall provides accessible roads, scenic foliage and continued good fishing/paddling opportunities.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Spring accessible but roads/conditions may be variable; quieter season for paddling and solitude.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
2.5 / 5

Open year-round but roads not plowed; winter camping possible with limited access and cold conditions.

Planning Tips
  • Operating Season: Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.

About South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

Escape to South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground, where eight intimate walk-up sites nestle along the tranquil southern shore of Gemini Lake. This rustic gem offers the perfect blend of lakeside serenity and wilderness camping, with simple amenities including vault toilets and hand-pumped well water—all available first-come, first-served for stays up to 15 days.
Rustic state forest campground on the southern shore of Gemini Lake with eight sites for tent and small-trailer use; first-come, first-served with a 15-day maximum stay and no reservations.
Advertisement

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers
Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit
15-day maximum stay

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Primary activities are fishing, paddling (non-motorized), and short lakeside hiking. Additional access to ORV/snowmobile trail (Trail 8) and winter camping (campground open year-round though seasonal roads are not plowed).
HikingGemini Pathway (about a 1.5-mile loop) leaves from the campground; short forest walks and lakeside hikes available.
FishingFishing on Gemini Lake for species reported as pike, perch, smallmouth bass and walleye; shoreline and small-boat/kayak fishing common.
SwimmingVisitors report a small sandy-bottom area suitable for wading and cooling off; lake swimming is possible from shoreline.
Boating
Wildlife viewing
Advertisement

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsNo electricity or modern hookups; vault (pit) toilets only. Campground is remote with limited services and seasonal roads that are not plowed. Hunting occurs on surrounding state land (observe hunting regulations).
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground

Reviews

4.5
27 reviews
Recommended
Recommended
South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews
Visitors consistently rate the campground highly for its quiet, secluded lakeside setting and simple, primitive experience; most reviews are 4–5 stars praising the fishing, paddling and dark night skies.
Review Summaries
Based on 27 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, secluded lakeside sites; well-spaced campsites with good privacy; excellent paddling and fishing opportunities; reviewers frequently praise the cleanliness of the pit toilets and the dark...
Show more
Based on 27 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early to secure lakeside sites (sites 4 & 5 are frequently called out as best); bring drinking water or boil hand-pump water; pack supplies, toilet paper and bug spray; expect first-come,...
Show more
Based on 27 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Amazing spot to camp for $15/night.”; “Love this place. Virtually zero light pollution for a super-dark night.”; “Sites 4 and 5 sit right on the water and offer great views.”
Based on 27 reviews

0
0 review
1
2
3
4
5

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.


Last updated February 2, 2026
Advertisement

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Popular campgrounds in Michigan

Campgrounds
South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground