Wagner Lake Campground

4.40

50 reviews

Wagner Lake Rd, Mio, MI 48647, USA

Summer Destination

Quick Facts

1,420 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Huron-Manistee National Forests site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,420 ft

Price

$15/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Opens Huron-Manistee National Forests site

Official Website

Get Directions

Wagner Lake Campground

$15.00 - $15.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The campground charges $15 per night for single sites. No additional amenities or discounts were mentioned.

Standard Site Fee$15.00

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

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USFS

Provider

989-826-3252

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What Campers Say

4.40

Recommended

Based on 50 reviews

48 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietpeacefulcleansites

Some mention

noise

"User reviews highlight the peacefulness and rustic nature of Wagner Lake Campground. Positive sentiments focus on its quiet atmosphere and clean facilities, while complaints center around generator usage and mosquitoes."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Wagner Lake Rd, Mio, MI 48647, USA

Wagner Lake Campground

Wagner Lake Rd, Mio, MI 48647, USA

Driving directionsFrom Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Turn right and travel south on M-33 for 7 miles. Turn right and travel west on Wagner Lake Rd. for 1 mile. The site is located on the left.

The campground is located off Wagner Lake Rd, accessible via paved roads. Seasonal closures occur, with a gate present when closed.

Nearby places

Grayling (30 miles, approximately 40 minutes), Mio (8 miles, approximately 10 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Mio has general stores, fuel stations, and supply shops approximately 8 miles away.

Best Time to Camp at Wagner Lake Campground

From the tender awakening of spring through the golden farewell of autumn, Wagner Lake transforms with the seasons like a living canvas. Summer days unfold with comfortable warmth, temperatures climbing to a pleasant 80°F—perfect for lakeside lounging and forest exploration. Spring arrives with a symphony of birdsong and wildflowers, though evenings call for an extra layer around the campfire. As autumn paints the hardwoods in brilliant amber and crimson, crisp mornings give way to mild afternoons ideal for hiking. While summer's warmth brings out nature's smaller residents—including mosquitoes—savvy campers come prepared and find the minor inconvenience a small price for such unspoiled beauty.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season May–Sept; warm, popular for swimming/boating though mosquitoes and generators noted.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Hardwood forest implies strong fall color; reviews note quieter, pleasant off-peak conditions.

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Opens May 1; spring described as an awakening season with pleasant temps and fewer crowds.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

Not recommended

Campground is seasonally closed in winter (open May 1–Nov 30).

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 1–September 3 (based on seasonal comments). Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open seasonally from May 1 to November 30.
Current Alerts: No active alerts reported.

About Wagner Lake Campground

Tucked away in the heart of Michigan's pristine wilderness, Wagner Lake Campground offers an intimate escape where time slows down and nature takes center stage. This hidden gem cradles a crystalline 26-acre spring-fed lake within a tapestry of mature hardwood forest, creating a sanctuary that whispers rather than shouts its charms. The campground's thoughtfully terraced sites cascade gently toward the water's edge, each offering its own private window to the lake's tranquil beauty. Here, anglers cast their lines into waters that mirror the sky, swimmers find refreshment in the lake's pure depths, and those seeking solitude discover it in the rustling leaves and gentle lapping of waves against the shore.

Wagner Lake Campground is designed for tent camping and combines sites, but it does not offer RV pull-throughs or primitive camping features.

Historical SignificanceWhile the recorded history of this peaceful haven remains unwritten in formal documents, the land itself tells stories through ancient trees and worn paths that speak of generations who have found solace in these woods.

Weather and SeasonsFrom the tender awakening of spring through the golden farewell of autumn, Wagner Lake transforms with the seasons like a living canvas. Summer days unfold with comfortable warmth, temperatures climbing to a pleasant 80°F—perfect for lakeside lounging and forest exploration. Spring arrives with a symphony of birdsong and wildflowers, though evenings call for an extra layer around the campfire. As autumn paints the hardwoods in brilliant amber and crimson, crisp mornings give way to mild afternoons ideal for hiking. While summer's warmth brings out nature's smaller residents—including mosquitoes—savvy campers come prepared and find the minor inconvenience a small price for such unspoiled beauty.

ElevationPerched at 1,420 feet above sea level, Wagner Lake occupies a sweet spot in Michigan's varied topography—high enough to catch cooling breezes on summer evenings, yet accessible enough for comfortable camping throughout the season.

Natural Features and SceneryWagner Lake emerges like a sapphire set in emerald, its spring-fed waters maintaining remarkable clarity throughout the season. The surrounding National Forest lands create an unbroken canopy of mixed hardwoods—majestic oaks, soaring maples, and stately beeches—that filter sunlight into a soft, dappled glow. The campground's terraced design works in harmony with the natural landscape, allowing each site to feel both connected to and separate from its neighbors. Morning mists rise from the lake's surface like nature's own theater curtain, revealing the day's first scenes of herons stalking the shallows and deer coming to drink at water's edge.

Geological RegionSet within the vast expanse of the Huron-Manistee National Forest, Wagner Lake occupies a unique geological niche where ancient glacial activity carved out a natural basin now filled by pristine spring water. The surrounding mixed hardwood forest thrives on the rich soils deposited over millennia, while the campground's terraced sites follow the natural contours sculpted by time and water. This spring-fed oasis maintains its water levels naturally, creating a reliable aquatic ecosystem that supports both recreation and wildlife throughout the camping season.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-in time not specified.

Check-out

Check-out time not specified.

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 consecutive nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No information provided.

Groups

No group sites are mentioned in the source materials.

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTerraced sites provide varied elevation levels and lake views. All 12 sites include picnic tables and fire grilles.

Reservation PlatformsNo online or phone reservations available; sites are walk-up only.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites are walk-up only with no reservation system in place.

Cancellation PolicyNot explicitly stated, but reservations are not required.

AccessibilityNo specific accessibility features are mentioned in the source materials.

Site SizeSites are described as large and roomy for a USFS campground.

PrivacySome campsites offer privacy with spacing between sites, while others are terraced up a hillside overlooking Wagner Lake.

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose terraced sites for better lake views and privacy. Campsites are noted for their spaciousness.

Amenities available

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Wagner Lake Campground offers a handful of activities including fishing, swimming, and non-motorized boating. The spring-fed lake makes it ideal for quiet water activities like kayaking and fishing. Despite its small size, the lake offers good opportunities for catching bluegill, bass, and perch.

FishingFishing is available on Wagner Lake, known for good bluegill, bass, and perch fishing. User reviews describe the experience as enjoyable but note that fish sizes may vary.

SwimmingSwimming is permitted in Wagner Lake. User reviews highlight the lake as small but clear.

BoatingBoating is allowed, but only non-motorized or electric-motor boats are permitted due to the lake's size and spring-fed nature.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes can be significant during the summer. No direct access to OHV trails from the campground.

Active AlertsNo active alerts reported.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyCampfires are allowed within designated fire grilles provided at each campsite.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Forest quiet hours apply but specific times are not mentioned.

Emergency ServicesMio Ranger Station (107 McKinley Road Mio, MI 48647; Phone: 989-826-3252)

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are not explicitly mentioned in the source materials.

Water FeaturesThe campground is adjacent to Wagner Lake, a spring-fed, 26-acre lake suitable for fishing and non-motorized boating.

Camp HostNot specified.

Weather at Wagner Lake Campground

Reviews

4.4

50 reviews

Recommended

Wagner Lake Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the peacefulness and rustic nature of Wagner Lake Campground. Positive sentiments focus on its quiet atmosphere and clean facilities, while complaints center around generator usage and mosquitoes.

Review Summaries

Based on 50 reviews

What Campers Love

Users describe the campground as clean, quiet, and surrounded by natural beauty. "Beautiful and peaceful!" and "Good clean atmosphere. Very quiet. Large sites for a USFS campground," were common...

Based on 50 reviews

Common Concerns

Complaints primarily focus on generator usage disrupting quiet hours and issues with mosquitoes. "Worst camping trip of my life people running generators all night long" and "People need to have more...

Based on 50 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing mosquito repellent due to thick mosquitoes at times and avoiding generators to respect quiet hours. Site-specific tips include choosing campsite #2 for privacy and site #5...

Based on 50 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest that the campground is quieter and less crowded during the off-season. Summer months tend to attract more visitors, with some bringing generators that may disturb the tranquility.

Based on 50 reviews

Camper Quotes

"This place is very quiet. Its peaceful it's what real camping is like but with neighbors." "Super nice little campground! Fishing was fun in a kayak and a quiet little place!" "Mosquitos can be...

Based on 50 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site #2 is described as tucked away, providing privacy, while site #5 is noted for its excellent location. "We had campsite 2. It is kinda tucked away." "We had site #5 was a great place to camp."

Based on 50 reviews