Cookson Lake Campsites

MUNISING RANGER DISTRICT, 400 E. MUNISING AVE.
Munising, MI 49862

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 enjoy swimming and fishing in the 35-acre adjacent lake. Largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and bullhead are among the typical catch. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.

Fish cribs were placed around the Island in 2023.

A public boat ramp is located adjacent to site 2, which can be used to access Cookson Lake's fishery of largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and bullhead.

Facilities

The campground offers five primitive campsites for tent and RV camping. Each offers tables and campfire rings. A pit toilet is located near one of the sites, but toilet paper is not provided.

Drinking water is NOT present at these sites.

There is a primitive toilet present at these sites.

Lake Name: Cookson Lake

Number of Sites: 5

Maximum Number of People: Site 1 (8), Sites 2-5 (16)

Toilets: 1

Boat Access: Back-In

Lake Size (acres): 35

Natural Features

Cookson Lake Campsite offers a primitive place to stay in the thick of Michigan's wilderness. Beautiful forests surround several lakes in the area, providing ample opportunity to enjoy nature in all its forms.

These campsites is located in a large open field on the shores of Cookson Lake. All of the campsites are surrounded by a mixed stand of aspens and northern hardwoods on the south shore of the lake. This 35 - acre lake boasts two small islands, and a variety of wildflowers abound in the area during warmer months.

Nearby Attractions

Cookson Lake is near the Indian Wild and Scenic River and the Big Island Lake Wilderness Area.

Groceries, ice, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available 5 miles east on County Road 437 in the Steuben Area.

Contact Info

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

Camp site features

Across 5 camp sites:

Picnic table: all 5 sites
Pets allowed: all 5 sites
Largest party: 16 people

Directions

From Munising, Michigan: Drive east on M-28 towards Wetmore. Turn right (south) on Forest Highway 13 at Wetmore and drive 11.9 miles to FR 2258. Turn left (southeast) and drive about 2.5 miles to FR 2257 (just before the bridge over the Indian River). Turn left (northeast) on FR 2257 and drive 1.8 miles across the access road.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

19 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

1 stars

Shelley S

Loop:Cookson Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

This is a nice little campground. Sites are a nice size. Firepits in sites 3 through 5 could be located a little further away from wooded areas. Outhouse was clean and well maintained

Larry L

Loop:Cookson Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Great experience!

Mike D

Loop:Cookson Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

We were very lucky to have the whole place to ourselves. The peacefulness of being in the woods and the sounds of nature was soothing to my soul.

Ryan P

Loop:Cookson Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Site 2 was perfect, had some shade and privacy.

Eva W

Loop:Cookson Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

We couldn't even stay, first off the grounds were not mowed the grass was over waist high, it was far in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. The outhouse was falling down, and we were terrified to stay alone in that particular area because if anything had happened we wouldn't have been able to get help. I don't recommend that place unless you're in a large group and you have satellite service. One good thing, the roads were "passable" unlike other areas that we couldn't even get to.

Larry L

Loop:Cookson Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

Love the location.

Availability

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

Reserve