East 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 · big rigs 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 40 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 | 40 | Partial | Lakefront | 24 / 6 | Yes | Prime |
| 002 | Pull-through | 24 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | Pull-through | 24 | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | 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 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There is NO drinking water at this location. There are primitive toilets located at sites 1 and 2. Lake Name: East Lake Number of Sites: 3 Max Number of People per site: Site 1 (24), Site 2 and 3 (8) Toilets: Sites 1 and 2 Boat Access: Back-In launch just past site 1 down FR2650 Lake Size (acres): 53
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 East Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273346 |
| Fees | Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Manistique, MI: drive north on M-94 22.5 miles to the intersection with CR 437. Turn right at the big parking lot opposite CR 437. To get to site 1: take the immediate right on FR 2723, drive 0.7 mi to FR 2650. Turn left (east) on FR 2650 and drive 0.2 mi to site 1.
| Nearest town | Rapid River, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.1786° N, 86.4133° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Swimming at Site 3 is excellent, but is not recommended at sites 1 and 2.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 42.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 1.4 miMurphy Creek Trail ↗16.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.1 miHaywire Grade Snomo ↗20.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.1 miHaywire Grade ATV ↗20.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.3 miColwell Lake Trail ↗2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miBil - Haywire Byer Portage2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.1 miBil - Twilight-Byers Hike0.9 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
- 3.7 miBig Island Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,268 acres
- 9 miSeney Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Fish and Wildlife Service · 25,150 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 3 campsites located on different shores of the 53-acre East Lake:
- Site 1 is located in a wooded area, on a hill, overlooking East Lake. It is located on the western shore of the lake. The site is 100 ft. x 75 ft. and is suitable for up to three families.
- Site 2 is located on wooded site on the northeast side of the lake. It is 45 ft. x 35 ft. and would be suitable for one family. The access road to this site is narrow and winding, but can be traversed by small trailers.
- Site 3 is located at an open area the extends into East Lake. It is 55 ft. x 50 ft. and is suitable for one family. Trailers are NOT recommended due to the very narrow and winding access road.
Recreation
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. East Lake has fishing for largemouth bass, perch, bluegill and bullheads. Boat access is located just past site 1. It is unimproved, shallow and sandy. Carry-in access is recommended.
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 and MDNR licenses are availalbe at Steuben, approximately two miles northwest, on County Road 437.
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 East Lake Campsites?
Sites at East Lake Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve East Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273346 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at East 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 East Lake Campsites?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is East 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 East Lake Campsites have?
3 sites, including 3 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at East Lake Campsites?
The longest site here provides 40 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 East Lake Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at East Lake Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at East Lake Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at East 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 East 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 East Lake Campsites is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Steuben Lake Campsites (1.6 mi), Bass Lake Campsite (1.7 mi), and Little Bass Lake Campsites (2.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby