Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Star4.39
83 reviews
Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR) site

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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...
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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
(248) 889-3750

What Campers Say

4.39

Recommended

Based on 83 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



About Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

Escape to Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground, where rustic charm meets waterfront serenity just 4.5 miles northwest of Oscoda. This wooded retreat on the shores of 1,320-acre Van Etten Lake welcomes spontaneous adventurers with first-come, first-serve sites (15-day maximum), many offering direct lake access, along with essential amenities like vault toilets, hand-pump water, scenic footpaths, and a convenient boat launch.
Rustic lakeside campground that accommodates tent camping and trailers; sites are first-come, first-served and lack utility hookups.
Natural Features and SceneryNestled beneath a canopy of trees, this peaceful campground wraps around Van Etten Lake's pristine shoreline, where morning mist rises off the water and evening sunsets paint the sky. A gentle walking path traces the water's edge, connecting campers to nature's rhythm, while lucky guests in select sites can step directly from their tents onto the lakeshore. The quiet, wooded setting features a small beach area near the boat launch—perfect for cooling off on warm summer days or launching your kayak into the calm waters.
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Campsite details

Total Campsites49 campsites

Best Campsites

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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

Amenities available

Potable water
Cell phone service
Vault toilets

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
Shoreline walking path along Van Etten Lake; regional trails (including the Iron Belle) accessible nearby.
Fishing
Van Etten Lake (1,320 acres) is popular for perch, walleye, pike and bass; campground has a boat launch providing lake access.
Swimming
Small beach area near the boat launch; users and public-health notices report PFAS contamination and occasional surface foam—swimming and fish consumption should be approached with caution.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsMDHHS/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.

Weather at Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground

28
°F
Dec 26
Friday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 83%
Wind: 9.3 mph
Overcast

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Good to know

Common complaintsVault/pit toilets and no showers, no electrical/sewer hookups or on‑site dump, occasional noisy visitors or vehicle traffic at night, limited boat‑launch parking, and PFAS contamination/foam advisories affecting swimming and fish consumption.

Campground Map

Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated in Iosco County, four and a half miles northwest of Oscoda via US-23 and F-41 (Old M-171).
Accessible via US-23 and F-41 (Old M-171); campground is ~4.5 miles northwest of Oscoda.
Nearby places
Oscoda — 4.5 miles

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.4
83 reviews
Recommended
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 83 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 83 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 83 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Best campground in that area, very quiet."; "Very spacious lots."; "Worst place I have ever camped in my life... Traffic doesn't stop all night long."
Based on 83 reviews

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Last updated December 13, 2025
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