Gooseneck 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 | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | 12 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 002 | Pull-through | 24 | Partial | Lakefront | 16 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 004 | Pull-through | 16 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
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 |
| Max vehicle length | 24 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
- There is NO drinking water available at these sites.
- Primitive toilets are available at the campsites:
- Site 1 has a primitive toilet, which is located and shared with the public using the boat launch
- Site 3 has a primtive toilet.
- Lake Name: Gooseneck Lake
- Number of Sites: 3
- Maximum Number of People Per Site: Site 1 and 4 (8), Site 3 (16)
- Toilets: Yes at sites 1 and 3
- Boat Access: Back-In near Site 1
- Lake Size (acres): 123
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 | Reserve Gooseneck Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273333 |
| Fees | Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From the Intersection of US-2 and Forest Highway 13 (about 14 miles east of Rapid River); drive north 8.4 miles on Highway 13 to CR 442. Turn right (east) and drive 8 miles to FR 2218. Turn left (north) and drive 1.6 miles to FR 2218EA or 0.8 mile to FR 2218G.
| Nearest town | Rapid River, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.0625° N, 86.5444° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 27.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 32.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.6 miVan Winkle Trail2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2.7 miMurphy Creek Trail ↗16.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.7 mi440 Trailhead2 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.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Hiawatha National Forest.
- inHiawatha National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,300,321 acres
- 9.3 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
- Gooseneck Lake is an extremely busy lake with private land and cottages surrounding most of its shores. As a result, pontoon boats, jet skis and water skiers and even occasional fishing boats can be seen and heard on the lake.
- There are three campsites on Gooseneck Lake:
- Site 1 is set back in a wooded area. Although its small, it is very nice. It is 40 ft. x 30 ft. with rough road access. It is suitable for a single family, but trailers are not recommended.
- Site 3 is an excellent camping area at the top of a small sandy bank. It is an open area, 100 ft x 70 ft in size. Access is good and this site is suitable for two families and trailers.
- Site 4 is located on the south side of the lake. The site is 70 ft. x 45 ft. and can accomodate one family. The access road is firm, but very narrow with sharp turns and washboard roots. Trailers are not recommended due to the very limited turning space.
Recreation
- Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.
- The best swimming opportunities are located at site 3 and site 4.
- Site 1 does NOT have good swimming conditions.
- Site 3 has good swimming conditions, however there are high banks at this site that block the view of the shoreline from the site.
- Site 4 has a very shallow beach area
- An improved public boat access is located near site 1. A toilet is nearby, which is shared with site 1. The lake offers a good fishery of walleye, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, sunfish and northern pike.
Nearby
There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals.
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 Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
Sites at Gooseneck Lake Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve Gooseneck Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273333 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Gooseneck 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 Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Gooseneck 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 Gooseneck Lake Campsites have?
3 sites, including 3 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
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 Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at Gooseneck Lake Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
Rapid River, Michigan. There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites.
Source: Getting there
What if Gooseneck Lake Campsites is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Camp Seven Lake Campground (0.4 mi, partly first-come), Lyman Lake Campsites (0.8 mi), and Jackpine Lake Campsites (1.6 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby