Mowe 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 | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 32 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
2 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | 32 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 002 | Pull-through | 32 | 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 | 32 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There is NO drinking water provided at this site. There is a primitive toilet shared by both sites Lake Name: Mowe Lake Number of Sites: 2 Max Number of People Per Site: 8 (for both sites) Toilets: Yes Boat Access: Carry in Lake Size (acres): 25
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 Mowe Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273339 |
| 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 19 miles on Highway 13 to CR 440. Turn right (east) and drive 3.5 miles to FR 2209. Turn right (southeast) on 2209 at the Big Springs North Trailhead and drive 0.4 mile to FR 8104. Turn right (west) and drive about 0.6 mile to the campsites.
| Nearest town | Rapid River, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.1453° N, 86.5772° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 21.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 34.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 0.6 mi440 Trailhead2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.1 miCamel Riders2.5 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.6 miPine Marten Run ↗25.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.1 miNahma Grade Sno-Mo ↗21.6 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
- 4.4 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
- There are two campsites located on Mowe Lake, each with their own set of characteristics:
- Site 1 is located in a semi-open area bordered by hardwood trees. It is 60 ft. x 40 ft and suitable for one family and trailer.
- Site 2 is similar to site 1 in layout, but slightly smaller in size. It is suitable for one family and trailer.
- The access road to these sites is narrow, but capable of handling moderate sized vehicles and trailers.
Recreation
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Mowe Lake is a good fishery for northern pike, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed and yellow perch. Survesy indicate a good, healthy fishery. there is an unimproved access located across from site 2. It has a sand base and is recommneded for small boats and trailers only.
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. Gasoline, groceries, fishing and camping supplies, boat rentals, ice, MDNR, licenses, deli and restaurants are available approximately six miles northwest on Forest 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 Mowe Lake Campsites?
Sites at Mowe Lake Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve Mowe Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273339 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Mowe 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 Mowe Lake Campsites?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Mowe 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 Mowe Lake Campsites have?
2 sites, including 2 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Mowe 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 Mowe Lake Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mowe Lake Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mowe Lake Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Mowe Lake Campsites?
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Mowe 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 Mowe Lake Campsites is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Swan Lake Campsites (1.2 mi), Ironjaw Lake Campsite (2.3 mi), and Lake Nineteen Campsite (2.4 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby