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

Sunrise 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 Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground has 10 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.

What is the best time to visit Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground?

Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground is open Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground?

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

How many campsites does Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground have?

Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground has 17 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Sunrise 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 Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

4.37

49 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Michigan

Quick Facts

1,302 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,302 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(989) 539-3021

I manage this campground

Ask Camp Sage about Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

Availability, what to pack, similar spots — ask anything and get an instant answer.

Campground Map

Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

44.0285, -85.3334

Nearby places

LeRoy — 6 miles west of the campground.

Weather at Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

Summer brings the warmest and most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and nights cooling into the 50s and 60s. June through August is prime time for swimming, boating, and fishing on Sunrise Lake. The tree canopy keeps sites comfortably shaded on hot days. The campground remains open year-round, but roads and sites go unplowed in winter, making access difficult. Mosquitoes and other insects appear seasonally, so pack repellent. With only 17 sites, summer weekends fill quickly. Arrive early or plan a weekday visit.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Prime season: warm days for boating, fishing and (reported) swimming; reviewers praise summer visits.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter.

About Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground sits on a wooded bluff near LeRoy with 17 first-come, first-served sites and direct access to Sunrise Lake's boat launch across the road. The campground stays rustic: vault toilets, hand-pump well water, fire rings, and no hookups or showers. Campers consistently praise the quiet, roomy sites and clean facilities.

Rustic, first-come/first-served state forest campground serving tent campers, small trailers, and RVs (no hookups).

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the warmest and most reliable conditions, with daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F and nights cooling into the 50s and 60s. June through August is prime time for swimming, boating, and fishing on Sunrise Lake. The tree canopy keeps sites comfortably shaded on hot days. The campground remains open year-round, but roads and sites go unplowed in winter, making access difficult. Mosquitoes and other insects appear seasonally, so pack repellent. With only 17 sites, summer weekends fill quickly. Arrive early or plan a weekday visit.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a forested bluff at 1,302 feet elevation, with a dense tree canopy that provides shade even on hot summer days. Sunrise Lake sits just across the road, visible through the trees from some sites. The boat launch offers quick access for paddlers and anglers. The surrounding forest keeps the campground feeling private and secluded, though road noise reaches some front sites.

Scenic ViewsWooded campsites with filtered or partial views of Sunrise Lake; bluff overlooks the lake.

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

Total Campsites17 campsites

Best CampsitesLake-adjacent sites offer the closest water access and filtered views through the trees. Interior sites trade lake proximity for greater privacy and wind protection. Some front sites near the entrance catch road noise.

Amenities available

Rustic state forest campground with vault toilets and potable hand-pump water. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings; no modern hookups or showers. First-come, first-served; 15-day maximum stay.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Small, quiet lakefront campground offering paddling and fishing on Sunrise Lake, ORV access nearby, and year-round (unplowed) winter camping.

Fishing

Swimming

Boating

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsCampground provides access to state land open to hunting; firearm hunting is not allowed within 450 feet of an occupied dwelling. Seasonal winter access may be limited because roads are not plowed.

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

Rate Sunrise Lake State Forest Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.4

49 reviews

Recommended

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

Reviews are overwhelmingly positive (many 5★): visitors praise the quiet, scenic, wooded setting, roomy/private sites, clean vault toilets and good-tasting hand-pump water. The campground is frequently recommended for anglers, paddlers, and ORV users accessing nearby Evart trails.

Review Summaries

Based on 49 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, shaded and wooded sites; large/roomy campsites; close access to Sunrise Lake (boat launch across the road); clean vault toilets and potable hand-pump water; good base for nearby ORV/motorcycle...

Based on 49 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early (first-come, first-served) to secure a lake-adjacent site; bring your own water/comfort supplies and be prepared to be self-sufficient; ORV users find convenient access to nearby...

Based on 49 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Best place ever.”; “Nice big clean plots close to the lake. Very peaceful!”; “There are porta johns and a hand pump well. Each campsite has a firing and a picnic table.”

Based on 49 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

Anglers and kayakers get the most out of this place: the boat launch is literally across the road, and the lake holds bass, pike, perch, and trout. Sites are large and well-shaded, and the vault toilets draw consistent praise. Arrive by mid-morning on summer weekends or plan a we

Skip if

No showers, no hookups, and a hand-pump well mean a genuinely rustic experience. Front sites pick up road noise. Winter access is unplowed and difficult, and the first-come setup means no guarantee of a spot during busy summer weekends.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.2

(50)

Mud Lake State Forest Campground

Mud Lake State Forest Campground sits on a quiet lake near Evart with eight first-come, first-served sites, most large and level enough for 30-foot trailers. The campground connects directly to the Green Pine Lake Pathway for hiking and biking, and several sites face the water for easy kayak or canoe access. Amenities are minimal: vault toilets and a hand-pump well.