Bear Lake Campsite

Show on map 906-474-6442 OR 906-387-2512

RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT, 8181 US HWY 2
Rapid River, MI 49878

Overview

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.

Recreation

Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at the designated campsites located on the Hiawatha National Forest. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.

There is a carry - in boat launch at the day use area on the south end of the lake. This is intended to prevent the overfishing of this excellent brook trout fishery, which is maintained by annual stocking.

Swimming is marginal with a thin layer of sand covering a mucky bottom.

Facilities

There is NO drinking water available at these sites.

There are NO toilets.

Lake Name: Bear Lake

Number of Sites: 1

Maximum Number of People per Sites: 8

Toilets: No

Boat Access: Carry in ONLY Boat Access to the South of the site. There is a Boat Launch on the East side of the lake down FR 2633.

Lake Size (acres): 21

Natural Features

The Bear Lake campsite is situated on the gorgeous 21- acre Bear Lake, high upon a hill overlooking the lake. The site is surrounded by spectacular paper birch, aspen and oak tree species.

Nearby Attractions

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 five miles northeast on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake Area.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information.

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Pets allowed: all 1 sites
Longest RV: 24 ft
Largest party: 8 people

Directions

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 8.7 miles to FR 2217. Turn left (northwest) on FR 2217 and drive 2.4 miles to FR 2696. Turn left (south) on 2696 and drive 0.5 mile to the campsite

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

14 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Amy B

Loop:Bear Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

PROS * Primitive site, the only one on the lake * Large enough to accommodate a small group * Easy reservations online (required) * There was a steel fire pit with grill, but it was removed since our last visit and replaced by a stone circle - not child-safe. * Picnic table * Sunny spot, so bring a canopy for shade. CONS * Water access is difficult, steep sides and heavy plant growth * No drinking water * No garbage bins (carry out what you bring in) * No toilets. Plan accordingly. Was disappointed in the amount of TP in the woods from campers who didn't clean up after themselves. * Rough 2-mile trail from the Camp 7 road to the site from the south, but a nice shorter gravel road from the north. * Noisy quad traffic * Zero cell service for those who need it. Starlink works very well.

Timothy C

Loop:Bear Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 4 months ago

Couldn't even get to the site the road was too bad for my truck.rocks the size of basketballs for fill? Really? Things are going downhill in the Hiawatha forest.

Jessika B

Loop:Bear Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

This is by far one of our favorite dispersed campsites!! Its not for the weak, there is no bathroom, running water or electric. Be prepared to not have any service. The road(ATV trail) is roughly 1.7 miles before you reach the site, my friend had a car and made it just fine. Weve stayed here twice now and booking a third. We have ZERO complaints what so ever! Any of the times we've been there has not been garbage or human waiste as seen in previous reviews. Bring a shovel and bury it :) Hands down one of the best sites out there we've found so far. Access to lots and lots of trails, everyone we've ran into out there are friendly and stay out of your space. ❤️ Thanks for having a wonderful spot available in the middle of nowhere.

Adelle F

Loop:Bear Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

There was no Bear Lake near Cooks MI. I contacted Recreation.gov regarding receiving a refund on Aug. 9, when it was confirmed that the property would be contacted and would reach out. I have heard nothing from them.

Tim R

Loop:Bear Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Mid-Sept 2024, nice large site. Sharp rocky two-tracks on the way there, you'll need an SUV at least for clearance. No bugs at all. The site is on a hill about 60' above the lake shore and the small opening thru the brush for a canoe or kayak is not always useable due to muddy shoreline, numerous logs, some jammed in and couldnt move. I brought my canoe all the way out here and couldnt launch here. There is a separate day-use only mini-dock at the south end of lake that was real nice. I wish that type of dock was at this site. Even if I launched from there I still couldn't pull up at my camp. Night sky visibility is only thru an opening in the canopy 45-90 degrees above for stargazing. Swans, but no loons on lake.

Edward G

Loop:Bear Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

The Hiawatha national Forest is becoming inundated with ATVs. They tromp all over the place and disturb any chance for peace and quiet. We actually had one barge right into our campsite and proceeded to tell us they had as much right to be there as we did. The previous occupants left food garbage on the ground. You have to go down a steep incline to get to the lake and then it is just muck at the shore.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve