Minerva Lake Campsite
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 | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 16 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Pull-through | 16 | 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 | 16 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
There is NO primitive toilet or drinking water available at this site. Lake Name: Minerva Lake Number of Sites: 1 Maximum Number of People Per Site: 8 Toilets: No Boat Access: Back-In Lake Size (acres): 45
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 |
| Fees | Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Cooks (about 12 miles west of Manistique or 24 miles east of Rapid River on US-2): drive north 4.4 miles on County Road 442 to CR 437. Turn left (north) on CR 437 and drive 14.4 miles to FR 2767. Turn right (east) and drive 0.25 mile to the campsite.
| Nearest town | Rapid River, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.1447° N, 86.4794° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 38.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Trails nearby
- 3.3 miBil - Haywire Byer Portage2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 3.9 mi440 Trailhead2 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.5 miMurphy Creek Trail ↗16.1 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 4.5 miBil - Vance Hiking1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.6 miBil - Twilight-Byers Portage0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.6 miBil - Twilight0.2 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
- 12.9 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 is one primitive campsite located on Minerva Lake. It is located in a small, semi-open area bordered by hardwood trees and hemlocks. It is 40ft. x 30 ft. and suitable for one family and tents or small trailers due to limited turn-around space.
Recreation
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. The 45-acre Minerva Lake contains largemouth bass and perch. This lake has always enjoyed a good reputation for fishing. There is an improved, day use boat access located adjacent to the campsite. It has a gravel base and is recommended for small boats and trailers only. Parking is limited. Swimming conditions are poor.
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. Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available approximately three miles south on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake area
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 Minerva Lake Campsite?
Sites at Minerva Lake Campsite are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Minerva Lake Campsite?
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 Minerva Lake Campsite?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Minerva Lake Campsite open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to Columbus Day.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Minerva Lake Campsite have?
1 site, including 1 standard site without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Minerva Lake Campsite?
The longest site here provides 16 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 Minerva Lake Campsite?
Yes, pets are allowed at Minerva Lake Campsite. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Minerva Lake Campsite?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Minerva Lake Campsite?
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 Minerva Lake Campsite?
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 Minerva Lake Campsite is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Leg Lake Campsites (1.1 mi), Triangle Lake Campsites (1.7 mi), and Little Bass Lake Campsites (1.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby