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

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

Are there showers at Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground?

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

How many campsites does Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground have?

Tomahawk 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 Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Tomahawk 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 Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Tomahawk 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.

Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground

4.55

47 reviews

Top 18% in MIWinter

Summer Destination

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Michigan Hiking Camping Michigan Tent Camping Michigan +1 more

Quick Facts

853 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

853 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

Tomahawk 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

Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground

45.2320, -84.1655

Nearby places

Onaway — ~13 miles (SE)

Weather at Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground

Summer delivers the most reliable conditions. Daytime highs reach the 70s to low 80s°F, and the lake warms into the mid-60s to low-70s. Comfortable for swimming and paddling. Trails stay dry and beach use peaks. July and August bring the heaviest traffic; lakeside sites fill quickly on weekends. Fall turns the hardwoods gold and red, and winter opens the trails to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though the campground sees far fewer visitors once the snow arrives.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Summer offers reliable temps, warm lake (mid‑60s–low‑70s) ideal for swimming and paddling.

Planning Tips

About 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.

Rustic state forest campground with 25 sites for tent and trailer use; first-come, first-serve with a 15-day maximum stay.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the most reliable conditions. Daytime highs reach the 70s to low 80s°F, and the lake warms into the mid-60s to low-70s. Comfortable for swimming and paddling. Trails stay dry and beach use peaks. July and August bring the heaviest traffic; lakeside sites fill quickly on weekends. Fall turns the hardwoods gold and red, and winter opens the trails to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, though the campground sees far fewer visitors once the snow arrives.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies state forest land at 853 feet elevation, surrounded by mixed hardwoods and pines. Tomahawk Lake's sandy beach provides swimming and shore access, and the shoreline sites let you launch a kayak or canoe straight from camp. Wildlife sightings are common: elk, black bears, and white-tailed deer move through the area, especially at dawn and dusk. The High Country Pathway and Atlanta Trail system thread through the surrounding forest, connecting to extensive ORV routes.

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.

Scenic ViewsOpen lake views from shoreline sites and beach; wooded, secluded views from interior sites.

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 (Note: this campground is first-come, first-serve; no reservations)

Total Campsites25 campsites

Best CampsitesShoreline sites offer the best lake access for paddling, fishing, and views. Reviewers recommend arriving early to claim one of the waterfront spots, especially on summer weekends.

Amenities available

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

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

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).

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWildlife 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.

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

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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

4.6

47 reviews

Top-Rated

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 47 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 47 reviews

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 47 reviews

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 47 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Paddlers and tent campers who can arrive Thursday or Friday will have the best shot at a shoreline site with direct kayak launch. The sandy beach and lake views are the draw here, and the ORV and trail connections to the Atlanta Trail System are a real bonus for active campers.

Skip if

No showers, no hookups, and hand-pump water only. If those basics matter to your group, this campground will disappoint. Weekend summer arrivals who expect to snag a lakeside spot at noon are usually out of luck.

Nearby Campgrounds

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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.