How much does camping cost at Wakeley Lake Campground?

Camping fees at Wakeley Lake Campground range from $10/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Wakeley Lake Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Wakeley Lake 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 Wakeley Lake Campground before I book?

Yes! Wakeley Lake Campground has 9 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 Wakeley Lake Campground?

Wakeley Lake Campground is open May 15 to November 30. 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 Wakeley Lake Campground?

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

How many campsites does Wakeley Lake Campground have?

Wakeley Lake Campground has 5 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Wakeley Lake Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Wakeley Lake Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

Wakeley Lake Campground

2 reviews

Top 6%Spring

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

1,093 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,093 ft

Price

$10/night

Booking

Check Site

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Wakeley Lake Campground

$10.00 - $10.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Wakeley Hike To: $10.00; scan and pay: $10.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

989-826-3252

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Wakeley Lake Campground

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Campground Map

Wakeley Lake Campground

44.6331, -84.5092

Weather at Wakeley Lake Campground

Best Time to Camp at Wakeley Lake Campground

Best season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of wildlife activity and comfortable weather — expect daytime highs roughly 40–65°F (colder in March, warming through May and June) and cool nights. This is peak loon and migratory-bird season (March through mid‑July), so paddling at dawn or dusk rewards visitors with nesting behavior and lots of birdsong; wildflowers and fresh green foliage add to the scenery. Crowds are minimal at the five walk-in sites early in the season, though weekends get busier from May Peak months: May, June, July, April

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 6% in US

Prime time for nesting loons (Mar–Jul) and migratory birds; reviewers highlight spring.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to November 30. Book 2-3 months ahead.

About Wakeley Lake Campground

Wakeley Lake Campground offers five walk-in sites about half a mile from parking, tucked into a quiet, rustic setting on a northern Michigan lake. There's no potable water or modern amenities. Paddlers and birders come for the loons, eagles, and undeveloped shoreline.

Located within a semi-primitive nonmotorized area and comprised of five walk-in sites, indicating a low-development, primitive camping environment.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of wildlife activity and comfortable weather — expect daytime highs roughly 40–65°F (colder in March, warming through May and June) and cool nights. This is peak loon and migratory-bird season (March through mid‑July), so paddling at dawn or dusk rewards visitors with nesting behavior and lots of birdsong; wildflowers and fresh green foliage add to the scenery. Crowds are minimal at the five walk-in sites early in the season, though weekends get busier from May Peak months: May, June, July, April

Elevation1093 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 1,093 feet in a mix of tag alder swamps, conifer stands, and upland forest where jack pine, white pine, and oak grow together. Wakeley Lake's shoreline tapers into marsh in places, creating shallow coves and channels good for wildlife watching. Reviewers mention bald eagle nests, fox tracks, and regular loon sightings. The terrain shifts from open water to marshy fingers to dense forest within a short paddle or hike.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site Size5 walk-in sites

PrivacyForested, semi-primitive setting with areas of tag alder and conifer swamps, upland jack and white pine mixed with oak; shoreline tapers into marsh in places.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesSites are walk-in and described as relatively close to the parking location in the semi-primitive area. Respect wildlife (do not approach nesting loons) and use caution near marshy shoreline areas.

Amenities available

Composed of 5 walk-in sites in a semi-primitive nonmotorized area near the parking location. The source material describes the natural setting (forested areas, swamps, marsh shoreline) and canoeing opportunities but does not list specific developed amenities (showers, potable water, toilets, hookups, picnic tables, fire rings, etc.).

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Opportunities focus on low-impact outdoor recreation in a semi-primitive, nonmotorized setting. The area supports hikes, wildlife viewing (notably loons and eagles), and nonmotorized boating (canoeing).

Water Sports

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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

From Booking Sources

0.0

2 reviews

Limited Reviews

Wakeley Lake Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly praise Wakeley Lake as a beautiful, unspoiled, rustic area ideal for hiking, camping, birding, and winter activities like snowshoeing. Visitors highlight the natural setting and wildlife, while noting that access requires a walk in and amenities are minimal.

Review Summaries

Based on 2 reviews

What Campers Love

Users love the “unspoiled nature” and “chunk of unspoiled wilderness,” noting beautiful walks around the lake, good birding, chances to see or hear loons, and wildlife sign like fox tracks and bald...

Based on 2 reviews

Common Concerns

The main issues mentioned are lack of potable water (“no water however”) and problems with trail markings, with at least one reviewer reporting that blazes were missing and loops led them out to a...

Based on 2 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers recommend bringing bug spray and practicing good food storage, suggesting active insect presence and wildlife. Campers should be prepared to hike about half a mile from parking to reach the...

Based on 2 reviews

Camper Quotes

“This place is awesome. Worth the hike back to enjoy the beauty.” “Very nice and rustic, chunk of unspoiled wilderness. There are several campsites but you have to walk half a mile to get into...

Based on 2 reviews

Accessibility Features

Access to the campsites requires a walk of about half a mile, and multiple reviews mention “a bit of a walk to get back there,” indicating that the area is not drive-in and may be challenging for...

Based on 2 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Canoe campers and birders who can haul their own water half a mile will find the payoff: no motorboats, bald eagle nests, and loon calls at dawn on an undeveloped shore. Spring through early June is the sweet spot before crowds and bugs peak.

Skip if

No potable water on site, trail blazes are reportedly missing in spots, and reviewers flag serious tick pressure, car campers or anyone counting on marked loops for navigation should choose somewhere with better infrastructure.

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Campgrounds

Wakeley Lake Campground

From Recreation.gov

Official information for Wakeley Lake Campground from the federal Recreation.gov facility record. View official page →

Overview

Wakeley Lake Campground is comprised of 5 walk-in sites. Wakeley Lake Campground is set in the Wakeley Lake semi-primitivie nonmotorized area. Visitors to the area will be treated to a forested setting that varies from tag alder and conifer swamps to upland jack and white pine mixed with oak. Wakeley Lake is set relatively close to the parking location in the semi-primitive nonmotorized area. The lake tapers out into a swampy marsh area along the shoreline in some areas. A moderatly sized area to take a hike or view wildlife, this area also offers canoeing opportunities.The 2,100 acres area is habitat for loons and eagles and visitors may view loons nesting from March 1 to July 15. Please respect wildlife and view from a distance.

Phone: 989-826-3252

About Huron-Manistee National Forests

Context for the broader area surrounding Wakeley Lake Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Lying between the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, is the nearly one-million-acre Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Directions

Huron-Manistee National Forests Supervisors Office 1755 S Mitchell St. Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-2421