Island Lake
Island Lake Campground is a popular campground and picnic area featuring a swimming beach marked with buoys on the 58-acre Island Lake. Located on the southern edge of the Mio Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forest, this site is a short drive North on M-33 from Rose City, MI. This site is gated in the off-season.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 17 |
Site guide
17 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 60 | Paved | No / – | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 2 | Back-in | 70 | Paved | No / – | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 3 | Back-in | 50 | Paved | No / – | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 4 | Back-in | 55 | Paved | No / – | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 5 | Back-in | 55 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 6 | Back-in | 60 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 7 | Back-in | 65 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 8 | Back-in | 50 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 9 | Back-in | 40 | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 10 | Back-in | 40 | Paved | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
7 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground provides hand pump wells for drinking water, several vault toilets, and trash collection services. The embedded day use area also provides visitors with picnic tables and grills. Campsites at Island Lake have paved parking pads, picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 1 to September 30 |
| Forest | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Fees | Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Day Use - Day: $5.00. Week: $15.00. Camping (per night)- Single site: $15.00 |
| Rules | As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From West Branch. Travel east on M-55 for 5 miles. Turn left and travel north on M-33 for 16 miles. Turn left and travel west on Loon Lake Loop Rd. for 1 mile. The site is located on the left.
| Nearest town | Mio, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44.5100° N, 84.1417° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| RV sales & service | Rose City RV Center ↗ | 7.7 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 8.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Dean's Bait & Tackle, Incorporated ↗ | 24.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping on the Largest Flat Top Mountain in the World - Island Lake Campground - Colorado
Worth a stop
- 0.4 miLoon Lake Day Use Area ↗Day use
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miIsland Lake Loop Trail0.9 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 0.2 miIsland - Loop Cutoff Trail0.1 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 0.3 miIsland - Loon Lk Spur0.2 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 1.1 miMack - Pink Spur0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.2 miOgemaw-Iosco Smt Dnr6 ↗17.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.7 miOscoda Smt Huges Lk Connector1.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Huron-Manistee National Forest.
- inHuron-Manistee National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,028,484 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Oscoda County CourthouseBuilding · Mio · 7.2 mi
Natural features
Island Lake is a small, sheltered lake. It's namesake Island is visable from the day use area. Several of the campsites offer views of Island Lake through the trees. The forest around the campground is mixed hardwoods with many wildlife and waterfowl viewing opportunites. Island Lake and the surrounding landscape are the result of glacial retreat and showcases some of Michigan's geologic history. While retreating from Michigan, glaciers left behind a pattern of broad ridges, called moraines. A chaotic arragnement of deep circular depressions and winding ridges, the Island Lake campground and Island Lake nature trail takes visitors through part of the West Branch Morraine.
Recreation
- Water Activities: Island Lake is a popular location for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. The water tempurate is cold with a maximum depth of 25 feet. Anglers can expect to catch sunfish, perch, and bass. Visitors can carry-in kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized watercraft a short distance from the day use parking area to day use beach.
- Hiking: There is a 1.25 mile loop trail that departs from the campground. A spur trail off the main loop connects Island Lake Campground with Loon Lake Day Use Area.
- OHV Riding: Nearby M-33 trailhead provides OHV riders with access to the Mack Lake Motorized Trail System and the Bull Gap Hill Climb Area. Additionally, a large majority of Forest Service roads are open to OHV use.
Guidebooks for Michigan
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Island Lake?
Sites at Island Lake are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Island Lake?
Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Day Use - Day: $5.00. Week: $15.00. Camping (per night)- Single site: $15.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Island Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Island Lake open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 1 to September 30.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Island Lake have?
17 sites, including 17 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Island Lake?
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Island Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Island Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Island Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Island Lake?
Water Activities: Island Lake is a popular location for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. The water tempurate is cold with a maximum depth of 25 feet. Anglers can expect to catch sunfish, perch, and bass. Visitors can carry-in kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized watercraft a short di
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Island Lake?
Mio, Michigan.
Source: Getting there
What if Island Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Wagner Lake (3 mi), Chimney Loop Campground (3 mi), and Mack Lake ORV Campground (6.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby