How much does camping cost at Island Lake?

Camping fees at Island Lake range from $26-$65/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Island Lake first-come first-served or reservation?

Island Lake accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Island Lake before I book?

Yes! Island Lake 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.

What is the best time to visit Island Lake?

Island Lake is open May 15 to September 11. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Island Lake?

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

How many campsites does Island Lake have?

Island Lake has 10 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Island Lake?

Yes, pets are allowed at Island Lake. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Island Lake?

Island Lake offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Island Lake?

Popular activities at Island Lake include Hiking, Fishing, Biking. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Island Lake

Q: Can I have a campfire at Island Lake?

Fire policies at Island Lake: Don't move firewood : To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit Don't move firewood:. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.27

31 reviews

P.O. Box 171, Munising, MI, 49862, USA

Great for GroupsSummer Destination

Featured in:Hiking Camping Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

860 ft

Price

$26 - $65/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Peak Season: May 23 ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

860 ft

Price

$26 - $65/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

10 campsites

Season

Peak Season: May 23 ...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on Forest Service Official Website

Get Directions

Island Lake

$26.00 - $65.00 / night

Campsite Fees

GROUP STANDARD AREA NONELECTRIC: $65.00; STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $26.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in...

Group Site Fee$60.00

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Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

dave@camprrm.com

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

P.O. Box 171, Munising, MI, 49862, USA

Island Lake

P.O. Box 171, Munising, MI, 49862, USA

Nearby places

Munising (20-minute drive), Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (15 miles), Grand Island (15 miles).

Weather at Island Lake

Current alerts(9)

Click here for more information on the Hiawatha National Forest Hiawatha
Hiawatha National Forest - West Day Use Fees: Day Use $8.00 Day Use Annual Pass $40.00
No switching sites upon arrival
Off-road vehicles are allowed in the campground in and out only.

Best Time to Camp at Island Lake

Best season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliably accessible conditions and the full suite of water-based and trail activities — expect daytime highs around 60–75°F and nighttime lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Campsites, boat access, and nearby services are open, making July and August ideal for hiking Pictured Rocks trails, boating on Lake Superior, and prime fishing on Island Lake at dawn. Weekends in July and early August are the busiest, so book or arrive early for a lakeside site; late May and June Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Prime season (May 23–Sep 6); reviewers praise summer weather and activities.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 11. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Peak Season: May 23 - September 6. Out of Season: September 6 - May 14. Reservable Start Dates: June 25 (annually).

About Island Lake

Island Lake is a very small Forest Service campground in Hiawatha National Forest near Munising, Michigan. The remote, low-elevation setting offers direct lake access with a boat launch, spacious primitive and group sites, and vault toilets that reviewers consistently praise for cleanliness. Campers use it as a quiet base for fishing Island Lake and hiking nearby Pictured Rocks trails.

Island Lake Campground offers a mix of group and single-family camping options, with a focus on providing a rustic, natural camping experience.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the warmest, most reliably accessible conditions and the full suite of water-based and trail activities — expect daytime highs around 60–75°F and nighttime lows in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Campsites, boat access, and nearby services are open, making July and August ideal for hiking Pictured Rocks trails, boating on Lake Superior, and prime fishing on Island Lake at dawn. Weekends in July and early August are the busiest, so book or arrive early for a lakeside site; late May and June Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation860 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryTall pines create thick canopy cover across most of the campground, with mixed hardwoods filling the understory. The sites sit at 860 feet elevation in glacially-shaped terrain. Island Lake borders the campground, with a boat launch providing access to morning fishing. Lake Superior beaches and the sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks lie within a short drive, while Grand Island floats offshore to the north.

Lodging & AccommodationsLodging accommodations, such as cabins or lodges, are not available at Island Lake Campground. The facility caters to tent and RV camping only.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned in the source materials.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

Up to 14 consecutive nights allowed per reservation.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Each site allows one family. Double occupancy requires a fee for each family.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made through Recreation.gov.

AccessibilitySome sites are close to key campground features, such as the vault toilets, making them more convenient for individuals with mobility challenges. However, no specific accessibility amenities are mentioned in the source materials.

Site SizeSites at Island Lake are described as 'large and fairly level,' making them well-suited for various camping setups.

PrivacyMany sites are 'heavily wooded, giving privacy,' and the campground layout allows for some seclusion, particularly on the edges of the loop.

Total Campsites10 campsites

Recommended SitesAvoid campsite #2 due to proximity to noisy group campsites. Campsite #10 offers great privacy and lake access.

Best CampsitesSite #8 gets praise for privacy and clean conditions. Site #10 offers direct lake views and a short path to the shore. Avoid site #2 if you want quiet. It sits next to the group site and picks up noise from larger parties.

Need help booking Island Lake?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Island Lake Campground offers a mix of amenities aimed at providing a rustic but comfortable experience. The campground features vault toilets, a hand-pump for water, parking areas, grills/fire rings, and picnic tables. Although it is more primitive with no utilities, the vault toilets are noted for being very clean. A few reviews mention that the water from the pump has a slight iron taste, suggesting that campers may prefer bringing their own drinking water. Trash disposal, however, has been criticized in some reviews for not being managed adequately during extended stays.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Island Lake Campground offers a variety of recreational activities centered around its natural features. Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking are the standout activities, with anglers targeting largemouth bass, bluegill, and perch. The campground also provides a boat slip for carry-in boats and canoes. Additional activities include hiking and biking, with ATV trails also accessible from the campground.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at Island Lake Campground.

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.

Fire PolicyDon't move firewood : To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit Don't move firewood:

Trash & RecyclingTrash disposal facilities are available, but some reviews note that dumpsters were not emptied during longer stays, leading to overflowing trash issues.

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

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

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

4.3

31 reviews

Satisfactory

Island Lake is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Island Lake Campground is widely appreciated for its peaceful setting, large and private campsites, and proximity to attractions such as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Island. However, some campers reported issues with trash disposal and interactions with other campers.

Review Summaries

Based on 31 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 31 reviews.

Site #6Loved
Site #6: Described as spacious with good privacy and a path to the lake. 3.
Site #8Loved
Site #8: Praised for ultimate privacy and proximity to a very clean outhouse. 4.
Site #10Loved
Site #10: Highlighted as beautiful with a great lake view and a trail to the shore.
Site #2Issues noted
Site #2: Adjacent to the group site, and some users reported noise issues. 2.

What Campers Love

Many users praised the campground for its 'beautiful, serene, and remote' setting. Vault toilets were frequently described as very clean, and the sites were noted for their spaciousness and...

Based on 31 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include overflowing trash bins during extended stays, occasional issues with noisy neighbors, and the lack of cell phone service. Some campers mentioned the iron taste of the water...

Based on 31 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing your own drinking water due to the iron taste of the pump water and ensuring you have all necessary supplies as the campground is remote. Avoid site #2 if looking for...

Based on 31 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are the most popular for camping, with reviews highlighting the warm weather and accessibility of nearby attractions. The campground's remote location and lack of cell service make it...

Based on 31 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'The vault bathroom was super clean. I appreciate the work that the forest service does to maintain these beautiful parks.' (Laurie P.) 2. 'Sites were large and fairly level. Heavily wooded giving...

Based on 31 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is not frequently mentioned in user reviews, but sites closer to facilities such as the vault toilets may be more convenient for individuals with mobility challenges.

Based on 31 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The campground allows up to two pets per site. No specific user reviews addressing pet-related experiences were found.

Based on 31 reviews

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Go if

You want a quiet, secluded lake camp with fishing and boating access near Pictured Rocks hiking.

Skip if

You need electric hookups or want to avoid occasional noise from nearby group campers.

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3.6

(46)

Council Lake Campsites

400 E. Munising Ave., Munising, MI, 49862, USA

Council Lake Campsites sits deep in Hiawatha National Forest near Munising, operated by the Munising Ranger District as a free or very low-cost primitive option. This very small campground offers lakeside access for fishing, swimming, and boating, with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables serving tent and RV campers who don't mind basic facilities. Fall brings the best conditions, with crisp weather and brilliant foliage around the lake, though the campground operates only during peak season.