Tom's Lake Cabin
Tom's Lake Cabin was built in 1991 and will accommodate up to eight people. The cabin is situated on a small knoll overlooking Tom's Lake, a 23 acre lake in the heart of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Cabins | 1 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|
| TOMS LAKE CABIN | 8 / 4 | 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
| Max vehicle length | 24 ft |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Accessibility | Site TOMS LAKE CABIN is listed accessible |
The cabin has a wood stove and firewood is provided in addition to the pedestal grill and fire pit outside. The cabin does not have modern bathroom facilities or electricity. There is a hand pump for drinking water just outside the cabin and a pit toilet behind the cabin. The cabin is furnished with four twin bunk beds with mattresses and seating for eight. You should plan to bring all your own camping equipment including camp stove, dishes, cooking and eating utensils, toilet paper, water containers, lanterns, flashlights, bedding and pillows. There is a gate at the entry road for your use. You can close it if you wish for privacy, but we ask that you don't lock it in the event we need to get in for routine maintenance. We will leave it the way we found it. One must park in the parking lot provided along Co. Rd. 440 and walk, ski, or snowmobile in.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
Getting there
From the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Forest Highway 13 (25 miles west of Manistique or 14 miles east of Rapid River), drive north 19 miles on FH13 to County Road 440. Turn right (east) on CR440 and drive about 3 miles to FR2082. Turn left (north) and drive to cabin.
| Nearest town | Rapid River, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.1611° N, 86.5906° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- For the winter enthusiast, snowmobile trails can be found nearby, and the Pine Marten Run trail is frequently used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (although the trail is not groomed).
- During the winter months, the 1/4 mile road into the cabin is not plowed.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 20.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 35.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miCamel Riders2.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.1 mi440 Trailhead2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.5 miPine Marten Run ↗25.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.2 miNahma Grade Sno-Mo ↗21.6 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.3 miMcKeever Hills Ski ↗6.6 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 4.7 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
- 4 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
Natural features
Tom's Lake Cabin is nestled adjacent to Tom's Lake and is ideal for swimming and fishing. Anglers will enjoy a day on the lake in search of largemouth bass and bluegill. After a day fishing and swimming, settle in for a wonderful campfire overlooking the lake and relax around the outdoor fire pit lined with a few benches. The Hiawatha National Forest is rich in wildlife, which includes 312 species that live within the Hiawatha National Forest region including whitetail deer, black bear, grey wolves, coyote, eagles, hawks, and rabbits. Over 250 species of birds use the Hiawatha, either when migrating through the area, as summer or winter range, or as permanent residents.
Recreation
There are several hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails within a few miles from the cabin, including the Ironjaw semi-primitive area and the Pine Marten Run trail system offering 26 miles of trail. Those trying their hand at fishing on the lake should note that boat access is carry-in only.
Nearby
The cabin is within a short commute of the Big Island Lake Wilderness with its 23 small lakes and portages to challenge the canoeist. The nationally-designated Wild and Scenic Indian River is also nearby, and its 51 miles offer outstanding canoeing and fishing opportunities. Groceries, gasoline, fishing, camping supplies, boat rentals, ice, MDNR licenses, deli, and restaurants are available on Highway 13.
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 Tom's Lake Cabin?
Sites at Tom's Lake Cabin are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Tom's Lake Cabin?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Tom's Lake Cabin have?
1 site, including 1 cabin.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Tom's Lake Cabin?
The longest site here provides 24 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 Tom's Lake Cabin?
Yes, pets are allowed at Tom's Lake Cabin. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Tom's Lake Cabin?
Site TOMS LAKE CABIN is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Tom's Lake Cabin?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 4G LTE at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Tom's Lake Cabin?
There are several hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails within a few miles from the cabin, including the Ironjaw semi-primitive area and the Pine Marten Run trail system offering 26 miles of trail. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Tom's Lake Cabin?
Rapid River, Michigan. The cabin is within a short commute of the Big Island Lake Wilderness with its 23 small lakes and portages to challenge the canoeist.
Source: Getting there
What if Tom's Lake Cabin is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Swan Lake Campsites (0.9 mi), Mowe Lake Campsites (1.3 mi), and Ironjaw Lake Campsite (2.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby