Colwell Lake Campground
Colwell Lake Campground is situated on Colwell Lake in the center of Michigan's Hiawatha National Forest. Guests of all ages can enjoy nature and the outdoors in this picturesque setting. The campground has much to offer in terms of recreation, such as swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking, and can accommodate families, individuals, small groups, RV and tent campers with several amenities.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: electric hookups in Michigan · first-come in Michigan · reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan · group sites in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 30 |
| Standard with electric | 7 |
| Walk-in | 2 |
| Group sites | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 60 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
35 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | COLW | Standard | No | ||||||||
| 002 | COLW | Electric | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 15 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 003 | COLW | Electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred |
| 004 | COLW | Electric | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 15 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 005 | COLW | Electric | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 006 | COLW | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | ||
| 007 | COLW | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 008 | COLW | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | |||
| 009 | COLW | Standard | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | COLW | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No | 8 / 1 | 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 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 60 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Fees | Discount only applies to base rate. Note: A $4.00 per night electrical hookup fee applies to Electric sites. |
The campground consists of many individual family sites, as well as a group site that can hold 24 people and two tent-only sites along the lake shore. Sites are equipped with campfire rings, lantern posts and tent pads, with vault toilets and drinking water located throughout the facility. A picnic area sits adjacent to the sandy swimming beach. Pedestal grills and tables for individual families or small groups are provided. Boaters will find a boat ramp and launching pier near the campground entrance. There is adequate space for parking and a trailer turn-around.
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 13 to October 8 |
| Forest | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Booking | Some of the sites at Bay Furnace are reservable. |
| Fees | Single campsite $22 Walk-in campsite $20 Single campsite with electricity $26 Double campsite, 2 camp units, per night $44 Group Campsite, up to 24 persons $60 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Manistique, Michigan, drive north 25 miles on State Route 94 to Forest Road 2246. Turn right (east) and drive 0.5 miles to the campground road.
| Nearest town | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.2217° N, 86.4375° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 19.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 43.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Colwell Lake: Michigan National Forest Campground #nationalforest
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miColwell Lake Trail ↗2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.1 miClear Lake Interpretive Trail2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.2 miBil - Twilight-Byers Hike0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.2 miBil - Haywire Byer Portage2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.7 miBil - Twilight-Byers Portage0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.9 miBil - Vance Hiking1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
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 Hiawatha National Forest.
- inHiawatha National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,300,321 acres
- 1.8 miBig Island Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,268 acres
- 8.7 miSeney Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Fish and Wildlife Service · 25,150 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
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the eastern shore of the 145-acre Colwell Lake. The area is forested with a variety of deciduous and conifer trees, and some campsites overlook the water.
Recreation
With an excellent swimming beach, boat access and an accessible fishing pier, Colwell Lake has plenty to offer families and anglers. Largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, perch and bluegill are all available in the lake. The facility also provides a leisurely 2 mile hiking and snowshoeing trail.
Nearby
Big Island, Fish and Straits lakes are all within 25 miles of the campground.
Guidebooks for Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Field Guide Hiawatha National Forest Ecological Classification SystemGreg Kudray, 2019Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Colwell Lake Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Colwell Lake Campground?
Discount only applies to base rate. Note: A $4.00 per night electrical hookup fee applies to Electric sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Colwell Lake Campground?
Check-in 0:00 AM, checkout 0:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Colwell Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 13 to October 8.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Colwell Lake Campground have?
40 sites, including 30 standard sites without power, 7 standard sites with power, 2 walk-in sites, and 1 group site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Colwell Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 60 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
Does Colwell Lake Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Colwell Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Colwell Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Colwell Lake Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Colwell Lake Campground?
With an excellent swimming beach, boat access and an accessible fishing pier, Colwell Lake has plenty to offer families and anglers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Colwell Lake Campground?
Munising, Michigan. Big Island, Fish and Straits lakes are all within 25 miles of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Colwell Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Crooked Lake Campsite (0.4 mi), Steuben Lake Campsites (1.6 mi), and Clear Lake Campsite (1.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby