Kneff Lake Campground

Star4.11
55 reviews
Kneff Lake Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

27 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Opens Mio Ranger District site

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Kneff Lake Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
All reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.
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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Recreation Dot Gov
Provider
(989) 826-3252

What Campers Say

4.11

Satisfactory

Based on 55 reviews

50 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanwaterlake

"Reviewers overwhelmingly love Kneff Lake Campground, describing it as beautiful, peaceful, and rustic with a great swimming lake and beach. Many mention returning year after year and even having decades-long personal connections to the place. The campground is characterized as quiet, well-maintained, and a bit of a hidden gem in the national forest."

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About Kneff Lake Campground

Tucked away on the western edge of the Mio Ranger District, Kneff Lake Campground offers an intimate escape with just 27 sites nestled around a pristine 20-acre lake. This welcoming retreat combines the essentials—accessible beach access, handpump water, vault toilets, and a seasonal host—with the kind of peaceful seclusion that makes you forget how close civilization really is.
Kneff Lake Campground contains 27 campsites and has an onsite host during the season. Campsites are equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, lantern posts, and have parking pads (sites 1-18: crushed stone; sites 19-27: asphalt). The campground is centered around the 20-acre Kneff Lake.
Natural Features and SceneryPicture a sparkling 20-acre gem plunging 40 feet at its deepest point, cradled by towering oaks and fragrant pines that whisper in the breeze. Kneff Lake serves as the heart of this campground, where the forest meets the water's edge and creates that perfect north woods atmosphere. The swim area, safely marked with buoys, beckons on warm summer days, while the accessible beach ensures everyone can dip their toes in the cool, clear water. Beyond the federal campground boundaries, the landscape seamlessly blends into neighboring state and private lands, creating an expansive sense of wilderness that belies the campground's compact, 27-site footprint.
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Campsite details

AccessibilityDay use area beach access is accessible via an access ramp.
Sites Size27 sites total; sites 1-18 have crushed stone parking pads; sites 19-27 have asphalt parking pads.
Total Campsites27 campsites
Recommended CampsitesCampsites include picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts. Facilities include handpump wells (drinking water), several vault toilets, trash collection, and an embedded day use area with picnic tables and grills. Non-motorized boats (canoes, kayaks, rafts) are allowed; the swim area is accessible via a ramp and marked by buoys. Kneff Lake is a designated trout lake and is stocked with rainbow trout in the spring.

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Reserving a campsite

Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are allowed

Site layout27 sites arranged around Kneff Lake. Sites include picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts. Parking pads: sites 1–18 crushed stone; sites 19–27 asphalt.
Reservation PlatformsRecreation.gov
Cancellation PolicyReservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.

Amenities available

Potable water
Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreation is focused on Kneff Lake (20 acres) with water-based activities prominent. The day use area beach is accessible and there is a marked swim area; non-motorized boats may be carried in for use on the lake.
Fishing
Kneff Lake is a designated trout lake and is stocked with rainbow trout in the spring; anglers may also catch perch. Fishing can be done from boats, from shore, or by wading. The lake has a maximum depth of 40 ft.
Swimming
The swim area is marked with buoys and is accessible from the day use beach via an access ramp.
Boating
Non-motorized boats such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts are welcome and may be carried in for use on Kneff Lake.
Beach activities
Day use area provides an accessible beach for boating, fishing, swimming, and beach play.
Water Sports
Non-motorized boating (canoes, kayaks, rafts) and swimming.
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsMaximum lake depth is 40 ft; swim area is marked by buoys.

Weather at Kneff Lake Campground

16
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 10.8 mph
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Good to know

Trash and recyclingTrash collection services are provided.
Proximity to water featuresCampground is centered around Kneff Lake with accessible beach access, a marked swim area, and carry-in access for non-motorized boats.
HostOnsite host during the season. Limited staffing; call (989) 826-3252 for general information.

Campground Map

Kneff Lake Campground
Driving directionsFrom Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 6.5 miles. Turn right and travel south on Stephan Bridge Rd. for 1 mile. Turn left and travel east on FR 4003 and drive about 1 mile.
Accessible via M-72 (east from Grayling), then south on Stephan Bridge Rd., then east on FR 4003.
Nearby places
Grayling — directions begin from Grayling (first leg: travel east on M-72 for 6.5 miles).

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.1
55 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Kneff Lake Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers overwhelmingly love Kneff Lake Campground, describing it as beautiful, peaceful, and rustic with a great swimming lake and beach. Many mention returning year after year and even having decades-long personal connections to the place. The campground is characterized as quiet, well-maintained, and a bit of a hidden gem in the national forest.
Review Summaries
Based on 55 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise the beautiful, spring-fed lake with clear water that’s great for swimming, floating, and fishing, and appreciate that no motorized boats are allowed. The sandy, family-friendly beach...
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Based on 55 reviews

Common Concerns

Very few complaints are mentioned in these reviews. One reviewer indirectly notes litter in the form of beer cans left behind by some visitors. Another hints at the lack of hookups or power by...
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Based on 55 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Several reviewers emphasize that this is a rustic, primitive-style campground and suggest bringing a generator if you need power. It’s recommended as a great spot for last-minute getaways, family...
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Based on 55 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Kneff Lake is a nice place to relax in the summer - sandy beach and cool lake surrounded by camp grounds and forests." "Rustic camping at its finest. A quiet relaxing campground. Fun beach around...
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Based on 55 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

One reviewer notes that the first loop has paved spots suitable for RVs, while the second loop has dirt sites mostly used by tents and small campers. Another mentions there are 27 sites total with...
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Based on 55 reviews

Accessibility Features

Multiple reviewers mention that the beach and swimming area are handicap accessible, including a ramp down to the beach. Easy parking and walking access to the beach are also highlighted, suggesting...
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Based on 55 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

One reviewer mentions their dog likes to play with beer cans left behind, indicating that pets are present at the campground, though no detailed pet-policy feedback is provided.
Based on 55 reviews

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Last updated December 10, 2025
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