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

Van Etten 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 Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Van Etten 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 Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground?

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

Is there cell service at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground?

Cell phone service at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground have?

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground has 49 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Van Etten 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 Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground?

Van Etten 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 Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Van Etten 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.

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

4.33

94 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Swimming Camping Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,060 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR)

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,060 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Book on Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR)

Get Directions

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Fee details not specified. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry; camping fees are paid on-site at the campground kiosk...

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

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Michigan

Provider

(248) 889-3750

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What Campers Say

4.33

Recommended

Based on 94 reviews

83 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietlakesites

"Most visitor reviews are positive, highlighting quiet, spacious lakeside sites and good fishing. Negative comments focus on limited facilities (vault toilets, no hookups), occasional noisy campers or traffic, launch parking problems, and PFAS/foam concerns in the lake."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

42.6328, -83.5562

Nearby places

Oscoda — 4.5 miles

Best Time to Camp at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Summer brings daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F with cool nights in the 50s and 60s. The lake warms enough for swimming and boating, and fishing for bass, perch, and panfish picks up. Weekends see heavier use, especially holidays. Arrive early to secure a site. Spring and fall are quieter but cooler, with less predictable conditions for water activities.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Warm daytime temps, boating/fishing pick up; lake warms enough for boating though PFAS affects swimming.

Planning Tips

About Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground sits on 1,320-acre Van Etten Lake, 4.5 miles northwest of Oscoda. All 49 sites are first-come, first-served with a 15-day maximum stay. The campground has a boat launch, vault toilets, and hand-pump water. Several sites offer direct lake access.

Rustic lakeside campground that accommodates tent camping and trailers; sites are first-come, first-served and lack utility hookups.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings daytime highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s°F with cool nights in the 50s and 60s. The lake warms enough for swimming and boating, and fishing for bass, perch, and panfish picks up. Weekends see heavier use, especially holidays. Arrive early to secure a site. Spring and fall are quieter but cooler, with less predictable conditions for water activities.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground wraps around Van Etten Lake's shoreline under a canopy of mixed hardwoods and pines. At 1,060 feet elevation, the setting is quiet and wooded. A walking path follows the water's edge, connecting campsites to the lake. A small beach near the boat launch provides swimming access, though PFAS contamination has prompted fish consumption advisories and occasional foam warnings. Morning mist lifts off the water in summer. Sites are large and well-spaced, with some offering direct lakeshore access via short footpaths.

Scenic ViewsMany sites offer wooded privacy and lake views; sites 36–46 have short footpaths that provide direct access to the lake and especially good water views.

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 Campsites49 campsites

Best CampsitesSites 36 through 46 sit closest to the lake with short footpaths to the water. Sites 12, 38, and 48 are ADA-accessible. Site 1 is a walk-in site about 10 yards from parking. Competition for lakeside sites is highest on summer weekends.

Amenities available

Rustic, lakeside state forest campground with vault toilets and hand-pump potable water. Sites are first-come, first-served and there are no showers or utility hookups on site.

Potable water

Vault toilets

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Lake-based recreation (boating, paddling, fishing), shoreline walking, nearby trail biking and seasonal snowmobile/ORV trail access offsite; hunting access to adjacent state land.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMDHHS/other advisories and camper reports note PFAS contamination in Van Etten Lake; anglers should follow fish-consumption guidance and avoid swallowing surface foam. The campground is rustic (vault toilets, no electrical hookups), so limited services should be expected.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

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.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Weather at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

94 reviews

Recommended

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

Most visitor reviews are positive, highlighting quiet, spacious lakeside sites and good fishing. Negative comments focus on limited facilities (vault toilets, no hookups), occasional noisy campers or traffic, launch parking problems, and PFAS/foam concerns in the lake.

Review Summaries

Based on 94 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, wooded lakeside atmosphere; large, well‑spaced campsites; direct lake access from several sites (36–46); convenient boat launch and good fishing.

Based on 94 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Sites are first‑come, first‑served—arrive early. Bring your own firewood and supplies. Choose sites 36–46 for direct lake access. Be cautious about swimming and eating fish due to PFAS advisories.

Based on 94 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Campgrounds

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

From Michigan DNR

Official information for Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Tentrr brings new camping experience to Michigan state parks.

Tentrr, a venture-backed camping and outdoor startup, has installed fully equipped campsites in both Sleeper State Park (Huron County) and Highland Recreation Area (Oakland County).

Each site includes a spacious, safari-style, canvas-walled tent atop a raised platform located in rustic areas outside the park campground. The sites are outfitted with a queen-size memory foam mattress on a sturdy bed frame, a propane stove, Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, a grill and a picnic table with a storage cabinet. Access flush toilets are available nearby. There are no showers available.

The sites can sleep up to six (two occupants in the main safari-style tent and four occupants in a provided pop-up tent). Bedding isn't provided.

Reservations are now open (click on the lodging tab and then TentRR Safari Tent radio button). The sites start at $150 per night, and a portion of the sales goes back to the DNR.

Visit our overnight lodging page to see other new and long-standing options.

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Real-Time Availability

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Plan a trip to Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

What Campers Say

Campground Map

Best Time to Camp at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Planning Tips

About Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Weather at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Camper Quotes

From Michigan DNR

Plan a trip to Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

What Campers Say

Best Time to Camp at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Activities you can enjoy

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Camper Quotes