Chicago 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 |
| Tent-only | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
4 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | CHICAGO LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard | Pull-through | 24 | Partial | Lakefront | 16 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | CHICAGO LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard | Pull-through | 24 | Partial | Lakefront | 16 / 4 | Yes | Preferred |
| 004 | CHICAGO LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard | Pull-through | 32 | Partial | Lakefront | 16 / 4 | Yes | Prime |
| 001 | CHICAGO LAKE DISPERSED CAMPSITE | Tent only | Pull-through | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Basic |
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 | 32 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There are primitive toilets available at site 2 and between sites 3 and 4. There is NO drinking water. Lake Name: Chicago Lake Number of Sites: 3 Maximum Number of People Per Site: 16 Toilets: Yes Boat Access: Back - In Lake Size (acres): 188
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 Chicago Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273334 |
| 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 or 22 miles west of Manistique): drive north 8.4 miles on Highway 13 to CR 442. Turn right (east) and drive 5 miles to County Road N-3.
| Nearest town | Rapid River, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.0400° N, 86.5983° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 28.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 29.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Camping in Chicago / Camp Lake Bullfrog
Trails nearby
- 2.5 miVan Winkle Trail2.2 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
- 11.5 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
- Nahma and Northern Railway Locomotive #5Structure · Nahma Township · 14.1 mi
- Bay de Noquet Lumber Company Waste BurnerStructure · Nahma · 14.4 mi
Natural features
- Chicago Lake (188 acres) hosts four campsites and an improved boat launch, all clustered around its north end.
- Site #1 is Decomissioned
- Site #2 is a larger site in an open area, measuring 55 ft. by 45 ft. It can accommodate 2 families and trailers. There is a primitive toilet at this site.
- Site #3 is a larger site surrounded by tall pines and is near the lakeshore. It measures 60 ft. by 50 ft. and is suitable for two families. However, trailer access is difficult because of limited turning area.
- Site #4 is a semi-open area that measures 55 ft. by 50 ft. It can accommodate two families and trailers. A primitive toilet is shared with site #4.
- There is a boat launch located adjacent to site #4 and features an improved gravel ramp for accessing Chicago Lake.
Recreation
- Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.
- Swimming conditions vary by site.
- Conditions are the best at sites 3 and 4.
- Conditions at site 2 are considered fair.
- The road leading to sites 3 and 4 are shared by anglers using the public boat launch into Chicago Lake. This boat launch is located adjacent to Site 4 and features an improved gravel ramp for accessing the abundant population of northern pike and bluegills. Largemouth bass and perch are present in smaller quanities.
Nearby
There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. Within 20 miles 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 Chicago Lake Campsites?
Sites at Chicago Lake Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve Chicago Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273334 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Chicago 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 Chicago Lake Campsites?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Chicago 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 Chicago Lake Campsites have?
4 sites, including 3 standard sites without power and 1 tent-only site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Chicago Lake Campsites?
The longest site here provides 32 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 Chicago Lake Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at Chicago Lake Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Chicago Lake Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Chicago Lake Campsites?
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these 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 Chicago 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 Chicago Lake Campsites is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Camp Cook Campsite (0.8 mi), Camp Seven Lake Campground (2.6 mi, partly first-come), and Gooseneck Lake Campsites (3 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby