Little Bass 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 | 5 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 24 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
5 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 002 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 003 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Prime |
| 004 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | Lakefront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Preferred |
| 005 | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | 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 at this site. There is a primitive toilet located at this site. Lake Name: Little Bass Lake Number of Sites: 5 Maximum Number of People Per Site: 8 (all sites) Toilets: Yes Boat Access: Carry - In Lake Size (acres): 84
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 Little Bass Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273349 |
| 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 22 miles on M-94 to County Road 437. Turn left (west) on CR 437 and drive 1.8 miles to FR 2213. Turn left (south) on FR 2213 and drive 1.5 miles to FR 2639. Turn right (west) and follow the road to the campsites.
| Nearest town | Rapid River, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.1619° N, 86.4494° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 22.9 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 40.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 2.8 miBil - Haywire Byer Portage2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miMurphy Creek Trail ↗16.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.9 miBil - Twilight-Byers Portage0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.9 miBil - Twilight-Byers Hike0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.1 miHaywire Grade Snomo ↗20.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.1 miHaywire Grade ATV ↗20.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
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
- 3.2 miBig Island Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,268 acres
- 11.1 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
Little Bass Lake is perfect for those that are looking for an uncrowded, quiet camping experience with few amenities and even fewer neighbors! The lake is 84 acres in size and supports a diverse fishery.
Recreation
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Little Bass Lake is 84 acres in size and features a carry-in launch site. This lake has a diverse fishery of largemouth bass, bluegills, northern pike, black crappies and perch.
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 available at Steuben, approximately five miles northeast 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 Little Bass Lake Campsites?
Sites at Little Bass Lake Campsites are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reserve Little Bass Lake sites and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273349 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Little Bass 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 Little Bass Lake Campsites?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Little Bass 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 Little Bass Lake Campsites have?
5 sites, including 5 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Little Bass 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 Little Bass Lake Campsites?
Yes, pets are allowed at Little Bass Lake Campsites. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Little Bass Lake Campsites?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Little Bass Lake Campsites?
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Little Bass 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 Little Bass Lake Campsites is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bass Lake Campsite (0.5 mi), Minerva Lake Campsite (1.9 mi), and East Lake Campsites (2.1 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby