Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
4.7439 reviewsTomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
25 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
25 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Not Allowed
RV Friendly
Get DirectionsTomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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(989) 733-8279
What Campers Say
4.74
Top-Rated
Based on 39 reviews
39 Google reviews
Most mentioned
quietlakebeachsites
"Google reviews are largely positive (many 4–5★), praising the campground's secluded, quiet character, lakeside sites, and sandy beach; a small number of negative comments exist."
Best Time to Camp at Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
Tomahawk Lake welcomes adventurers year-round, transforming with each season. Summer brings warm days perfect for swimming and paddling, while autumn paints the surrounding forest in brilliant golds and reds. When snow blankets the north woods, the campground becomes a winter wonderland ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the same trails you hiked in warmer months. Each season offers its own magic and outdoor possibilities.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
Best
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
About Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
Escape to the wooded shores of Tomahawk Lake, where 25 rustic campsites nestle among towering trees along a pristine 40-acre lake. This back-to-basics retreat features a sandy beach perfect for swimming, vault toilets, hand-pumped water, and direct lake access from select sites—plus the legendary High Country Pathway runs right through camp.
Rustic state forest campground with 25 sites for tent and trailer use; first-come, first-serve with a 15-day maximum stay.
Weather and SeasonsTomahawk Lake welcomes adventurers year-round, transforming with each season. Summer brings warm days perfect for swimming and paddling, while autumn paints the surrounding forest in brilliant golds and reds. When snow blankets the north woods, the campground becomes a winter wonderland ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the same trails you hiked in warmer months. Each season offers its own magic and outdoor possibilities.
Natural Features and SceneryPicture yourself waking to mist rising off Tomahawk Lake's glassy surface, your tent tucked beneath a canopy of mixed hardwoods and pines. The campground's sandy shoreline beckons swimmers and sunbathers, while picnic tables dot the beach area for waterside meals. This is Michigan's remote north at its finest—dense forest surrounds you, and wildlife sightings are the norm rather than the exception. Keep your eyes peeled for majestic elk, black bears moving through the understory, and white-tailed deer at dawn and dusk. Birders will find plenty to celebrate here. The High Country Pathway and Atlanta Trail system weave through the area, opening up endless possibilities for hiking, paddling quiet waters, and ORV adventures into the backcountry.
Geological RegionPresque Isle County, northern Lower Michigan; on the wooded shore of 40-acre Tomahawk Lake within state forest lands/Atlanta Trail/High Country Pathway area.
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Campsite details
Total Campsites25 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
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (Note: this campground is first-come, first-serve; no reservations)
Amenities available
Potable water
Picnic tables
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Lake-focused, rustic recreation: fishing (listed species), paddling/boat access, swimming at a sandy beach, hiking on the High Country Pathway, mountain biking, ORV access to the Atlanta Trail System, hunting access on adjacent state land, and winter activities (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing).
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Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
Hazards
General hazardsWildlife presence includes elk, bear and whitetail deer; the surrounding state forest is open to hunting. ORV traffic is allowed to/from the campground on trails and forest roads.
Weather at Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
24
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 87%
Wind: 9.6 mph
Overcast
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Good to know
Common complaintsLimited services due to its rustic nature (no electricity, no showers). A few reviewers mention occasional trash or site issues; one reviewer said fishing was 'not the greatest.' Sites can fill on peak summer weekends.
Campground Map
Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated about 13 miles southeast of Onaway via M-33 South and Tomahawk Lake Highway.
Accessible from M-33 South and Tomahawk Lake Highway; remote state forest roads lead to the campground.Nearby places
Onaway — ~13 miles (SE)
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.7
39 reviews
Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
Google reviews are largely positive (many 4–5★), praising the campground's secluded, quiet character, lakeside sites, and sandy beach; a small number of negative comments exist.
Review Summaries
Based on 39 reviews
What Campers Love
Secluded and quiet; many campsites directly on or near the lake with easy kayak access; sandy beach with picnic tables; reviewers note decent-sized sites and overall pleasant rustic experience; ORV...
Based on 39 reviewsShow more
Pro Tips & Recommendations
First-come, first-serve — arrive early for lakeside sites. Choose shoreline sites for paddling and views. Be prepared for rustic camping (hand-pump water, vault toilets) and for wildlife in the area...
Based on 39 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
Great campground on the shore of Tomahawk lake. Sites are decent sized and many are right on the lake.; Doesn't get much better that Tomahawk for rustic camping. Hiking, biking, fishing... Love it .
Based on 39 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated December 13, 2025
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