Island Lake
Island Lake Campground is a small and quiet campground nestled in a mostly pine forest. Island Lake offers great fishing for anglers with small boats or canoes.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: 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 | 10 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
11 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Group | Pull-through | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 16 / 6 | Yes | Prime |
| 002 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 005 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
This small campground offers a group site and single-family sites that can be doubled-up to occupy two families.
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 15 to September 7 |
| Forest | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Booking | Some of the sites at Island Lake are reservable. |
| Fees | Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22. Double Family Site, 2 camp units, per night $44 Group site $50 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the intersection of M-28 and Forest Highway 13, just a couple miles east of Munising, drive south 8.8 miles to FR 2268, or Buckhorn Road. Turn right (southwest) on FR 2268 and drive 2.2 miles on FR 2268 and FR 2254 to FR 2557. Turn left (south) on FR 2557 and drive 0.8 mile to Island Lake Campground.
| Nearest town | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.2708° N, 86.6514° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Each family has to pay a site fee if doubled up on one site.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 12.1 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 39.5 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
There are many waterfalls to see in the area, as well as the popular Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Island, located just 15 miles away at Lake Superior.
- 10.6 miMunising Falls Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 2.6 miIndian River Canoe Route ↗41.8 mi trail · paddle
- 2.8 miOakwood Equestrian Connector3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.8 miOakwood Equestrian South Loop ↗6.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.9 miBrunos Run ↗12.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miMcKeever Hills Ski ↗6.6 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 4.1 miOakwood Equestrian North Loop ↗4.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
- 6.1 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 · 9.7 mi
- Schoolcraft Furnace SiteSite · Munising · 10.7 mi
- Grand Island Harbor Rear Range LightStructure · Christmas · 11.6 mi
Natural features
Although there are a few mixed hardwood trees in the area, this campground is favored by those individuals who like to camp in a classic pine forest setting.
Recreation
Island Lake offers excellent fishing and canoeing or kayaking. Anglers fish for largemouth bass, blue gill and perch. The campground offers fishing from shore. Island Lake Campground features a boat slip for small carry-in boats or canoes. Other popular activities include hiking, biking and ATV trails.
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 Island Lake?
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 Island Lake?
Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22. Double Family Site, 2 camp units, per night $44 Group site $50 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Island Lake?
Check-in 02:00 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 15 to September 7.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Island Lake have?
11 sites, including 10 standard sites without power and 1 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Island Lake?
The longest site here provides 45 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.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Island Lake?
Island Lake offers excellent fishing and canoeing or kayaking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Island Lake?
Munising, Michigan. There are many waterfalls to see in the area, as well as the popular Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Island, located just 15 miles away at Lake Superior.
Source: Getting there
What if Island Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Council Lake Campsites (2 mi), Hovey Lake Campsites (2.6 mi, first-come), and Widewaters Campground (3.7 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby