Council Lake Campsites
The Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest offer a variety of camping experiences. Many are located on inland lakes in a rustic forest environment with no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience.
More like this: reservable in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 4 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 16 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
4 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Fits, ft | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 16 | Partial | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 02 | 16 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 03 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 04 | Partial | Lakefront | 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.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There are four campsites at Council Lake for tent and small RV camping. Each campsite is equipped with a table and a campfire ring. There is NO drinking water. Lake Name: Council Lake Number of Sites: 4 Maximum Number of People: 8 (for each site) Toilets: 1 (by site 1) Boat Access: Carry-In Lake Size (acres): 14
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | May 15 to Columbus Day |
| Forest | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Booking | Rerserve Council Lake sites and veiw an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233210 |
| Fees | Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Munising, Michigan, take Highway M-28 east towards Shingleton. Turn right (south) on Forest Highway 13 at Wetmore and drive 9.9 miles south to Forest Road 2261. Turn right (west) onto Forest Road 226 and drive 1.7 miles. Continue until the road ends at Council Lake.
| Nearest town | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.2416° N, 86.6472° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- A pit toilet is located near site 1, but toilet paper is not provided.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 14.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 37.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
campground review wild boar campground, council bluff recreation area, council bluff lake
Worth a stop
- 12.6 miMunising Falls Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miIndian River Canoe Route ↗41.8 mi trail · paddle
- 1.5 miBrunos Run ↗12.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.1 miMcKeever Hills Ski ↗6.6 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 4.5 miOakwood Equestrian Connector3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miOakwood Equestrian South Loop ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miBig Island Lake Portal0.2 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
- 5.2 miBig Island Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,268 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
On the National Register nearby
- Lobb HouseBuilding · Munising · 11.7 mi
- Schoolcraft Furnace SiteSite · Munising · 12.6 mi
- Grand Island Harbor Rear Range LightStructure · Christmas · 13.6 mi
Natural features
These four campsites are situated on the quaint 12 - acre Council Lake, nestled in a mixed stand of hardwood and pine trees. They are on the southern shores of Council Lake, close to adjoining Red Jack and Scout lakes.
Recreation
Council Lake is a 12-acre lake with yellow perch, rock and largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, bullhead and northern pike. Licenses are required to fish in Michigan waters. Council Lake is part of a small chain of lakes and offers excellent canoeing and kayaking opportunities. There is a short portage that links Council Lake to Bar Lake and the Indian Wild and Scenic River. Non-motorized boats can be used on the lake, however access at the campground is by land only. A boat ramp can be found at adjoining Red Jack Lake. The day-use area is equipped with tables and a pedestal grill. The area is near a beach that is perfect for lounging and swimming. No drinking water is provided at the campsite; water must be brought in and garbage must be carried out.
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 Council Lake Campsites?
Sites at Council Lake Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Rerserve Council Lake sites and veiw an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233210 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Council Lake Campsites?
Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Council Lake Campsites?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Council Lake Campsites open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to Columbus Day.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Council Lake Campsites have?
4 sites, including 4 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Council Lake Campsites?
Council Lake Campsites is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Council Lake Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at Council Lake Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Council Lake Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Council Lake Campsites?
Council Lake is a 12-acre lake with yellow perch, rock and largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, bullhead and northern pike. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Council Lake Campsites?
Munising, Michigan.
Source: Getting there
What if Council Lake Campsites is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Widewaters Campground (1.8 mi, partly first-come), Island Lake (2 mi, partly first-come), and Pete's Lake Campground (2.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby