Trout Lake State Forest Campground
4.2227 reviewsTrout Lake State Forest Campground
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
35 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
Quick Facts
Price
Varies
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
35 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
Not Allowed
Trout Lake State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
No site fee information provided in the source for the tent/small-trailer campsites. Scraped content states sites are first-come, first-serve and no...
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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(800) 447-2757
What Campers Say
4.22
Satisfactory
Based on 27 reviews
27 Google reviews
Most mentioned
quietcleanlakesites
"Most reviews are positive (many 4–5 star) praising the quiet, scenic lakeside setting and 'great rustic camping.' Reviewers frequently mention large campsites and good access to fishing and paddling. A minority of reviews note low lake levels, occasional weekend partying by locals, and isolated maintenance/logging concerns."
Best Time to Camp at Trout Lake State Forest Campground
Adventure awaits year-round at Trout Lake, though winter visitors should come prepared—seasonal roads and campground paths remain unplowed, creating a true backcountry experience for hardy cold-weather campers. Keep in mind that lake levels can fluctuate with the seasons, adding a touch of natural variability to your waterfront camping adventure.
Spring (Mar-May)
Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.
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.
Best
Winter (Dec-Feb)
Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.
Planning Tips
- Operating Season: Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.
About Trout Lake State Forest Campground
Escape to Trout Lake State Forest Campground, where three intimate loops wind through the woods along the pristine shoreline of Trout Lake. This rustic retreat welcomes tent campers and small trailers with first-come, first-served sites, vault toilets, and hand-pump water—perfect for those seeking an authentic, unplugged camping experience with a 15-day maximum stay.
Described in source materials as a rustic state forest campground with tent and small-trailer sites, vault toilets, and first-come/first-serve camping.
Weather and SeasonsAdventure awaits year-round at Trout Lake, though winter visitors should come prepared—seasonal roads and campground paths remain unplowed, creating a true backcountry experience for hardy cold-weather campers. Keep in mind that lake levels can fluctuate with the seasons, adding a touch of natural variability to your waterfront camping adventure.
Natural Features and SceneryNestled within a beautiful mix of towering hardwoods and fragrant pines, this secluded campground offers the rare pleasure of lakeside camping where your tent or trailer sits just steps from the water's edge. Two of the three cozy loops feature coveted waterfront sites with easy shore access, inviting you to launch a kayak at sunrise or cast a line as the sun sets. When you're ready to explore beyond camp, lace up your boots for the nearby 2.8-mile Trout Lake Pathway, where forest trails beckon and wildlife sightings reward the observant hiker.
Geological Regionnorth-central Lower Michigan
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Campsite details
Total Campsites35 campsites
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 not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed
Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed.
Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com
Amenities available
Potable water
Cell phone service
Vault toilets
Activities you can enjoy
Lake-centered recreation (fishing, paddling, boating) plus hiking and year-round rustic camping. Hunting access to adjacent state land is available during seasons.
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Campground rules
- Pets are not allowed
- Not specified in detail; follow state and local rules for firewood and campfires.
Hazards
General hazardsHunting occurs on nearby state land during seasons — campers should be aware of hunting activity. Seasonal roads are not plowed in winter which limits safe winter access. Some visitors report occasional low lake levels; there are also occasional reports of local groups creating noisy weekend gatherings.
Weather at Trout Lake State Forest Campground
21
°F
Dec 13
Saturday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 14.4 mph
Overcast
Weather History
Weather data powered by Open-Meteo
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Reveal forecast
Good to know
Common complaintsPeriodic low lake water levels; reports of locals crowding or partying on weekends; a few reports of road/maintenance or logging-related damage and inconsistent upkeep.
Campground Map
Trout Lake State Forest Campground
Driving directionsLocated about 17 miles north of Gladwin via M-18 N and Adams Road; also described as 3 miles northeast of Meredith via Meredith Grade.
Accessible via M-18 N and Adams Road; local access via Meredith Grade.Nearby places
Gladwin - ~17 miles
Meredith - ~3 miles
Nearby supplies
Gladwin (town services and supplies)
Reviews from booking and map sources
4.2
27 reviews
Trout Lake State Forest Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Most reviews are positive (many 4–5 star) praising the quiet, scenic lakeside setting and 'great rustic camping.' Reviewers frequently mention large campsites and good access to fishing and paddling. A minority of reviews note low lake levels, occasional weekend partying by locals, and isolated maintenance/logging concerns.
Review Summaries
Based on 27 reviews
What Campers Love
Beautiful, quiet Trout Lake setting; lakeside campsites and paddling/fishing access; large sites and generally clean vault toilets; reviewers commonly describe it as a great spot for rustic camping.
Based on 27 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Use posted park signs for directions (Google Maps reportedly inconsistent); target lakeside loops for waterfront sites; sites appear first-come/first-serve so arrive early; bring supplies and be...
Based on 27 reviewsShow more
Camper Quotes
“Great rustic camping.”; “My happy place.”; “Beautiful fall camping experience.”; “Quiet.”
Based on 27 reviewsCamper Reviews by Outdoorithm campers
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Last updated December 13, 2025
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