Sand Lake Campground
Sand Lake Campground is situated on the scenic shores of Sand Lake and provides a selection of sites shaded by a mixed hardwood forest. Just beyond the trees is a well-loved, sandy swimming beach. The campground is located 15 minutes from the Pine National Scenic River and several other lakes. The popular campground sits within the Huron-Manistee National Forests, far enough from town to let its natural splendor shine, but close enough for convenient access to gas and groceries.
More like this: 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 | 40 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
| Group tent areas | 1 |
| RV, no hookups | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
44 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 08 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 | |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Paved | Full | 8 / 2 |
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 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Sites 31, 34, 35, 36 and 7 more are listed accessible |
The campground provides conveniences like coin showers, flush toilets and drinking water faucets. Visitors often rave about the nice, private bathrooms with vanities.
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 14 to September 5 |
| Forest | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Fees | Camping (per night): Single Site: $40.00. Double Site: $80.00. Group Site: $105.00. Day Use (per person) Per Day: $7.00. Extra Vehicle: $10.00. Season Pass: Per vehicle: $90.00. Lake Homeowners only: $30.00 |
| 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 Wellston, MI, take Seaman Road 3.9 miles south through Dublin. Just beyond the grocery store, turn right and stay on Seaman Road. Go 0.5 miles to Sand Lake Road (Forest Road 5728) and the campground sign. Turn right onto Sand Lake Road and go 0.6 miles to the campground.
| Coordinates | 44.1681° N, 85.9294° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedSer 439 South Rx
47 mi from the campground · 43 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 31.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Nature & Me R.V. ↗ | 38.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Sand Lake Campground Superior National Forest 07
Worth a stop
- 8.5 miUdell Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 3.2 miWard Hills-Irons Smt Dnr361.3 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.9 miUdell Hills Smt Dnr 614 Cutoff0.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.2 miWard Hills-Irons Smt Dnr3451.3 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.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Udell Lookout TowerStructure · Wellston · 8.9 mi
- John J. Makinen Bottle HouseBuilding · Kaleva · 14.7 mi
Natural features
Sand Lake boasts about 50 acres of mostly shallow waters. The campground is nicely wooded; some sites are heavy shaded while others are much more open. Summertime temperatures are generally around 80 degrees. The Huron-Manistee National Forests encompass nearly a million acres of public protected land, including nearly 6,000 acres of wetlands that extend over the northern portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Recreation
Power boating, sailing, canoeing, hiking and swimming are some of the most common activities on the lake. Anglers delight in the waters well-stocked with bluegill, perch and smallmouth bass. A picnic area and boat ramp are available for use.
Guidebooks for Michigan
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Sand Lake Campground?
Sites at Sand Lake Campground 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 Sand Lake Campground?
Camping (per night): Single Site: $40.00. Double Site: $80.00. Group Site: $105.00.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Sand Lake Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Sand Lake Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 14 to September 5.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Sand Lake Campground have?
44 sites, including 40 standard sites without power, 2 tent-only sites, 1 group tent area, and 1 RV site without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Sand Lake Campground?
The longest site here provides 40 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 there showers or a dump station at Sand Lake Campground?
The campground provides conveniences like coin showers, flush toilets and drinking water faucets.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Sand Lake Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Sand Lake Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Sand Lake Campground?
Sites 31, 34, 35, and 36 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 11 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Sand Lake Campground?
Power boating, sailing, canoeing, hiking and swimming are some of the most common activities on the lake. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Sand Lake Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pine Lake Campground (4.4 mi, first-come), Bear Track Campground (5.2 mi, first-come), and Peterson Bridge (7.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby
