East Lake Campsites

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 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.

Swimming at Site 3 is excellent, but is not recommended at sites 1 and 2.

Facilities

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

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.

Contact Info

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

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.

Gasoline, groceries, fishing and camping supplies, boat rentals, ice and MDNR licenses are availalbe at Steuben, approximately two miles northwest, on County Road 437.

Camp site features

Across 3 camp sites:

Pets allowed: all 3 sites
Longest RV: 40 ft
Largest party: 24 people

Directions

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. To get to sites 2 and 3: proceed directly through the parking lot on FR 2247 and drive about 1 mile to FR 2247A. Turn right (south) on 2247A and drive less than a mile to the campsites.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

28 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Timothy D

Loop:East Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Poison ivy next to the path to the lake

Jessica B

Loop:East Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 3 months ago

Great site! Had great weather. Gorgeous area!

Chelsea G

Loop:East Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

Very very buggy mosquitos were terrible definitely recommend lots of bug spray and/or fogger ! grass needed to be cut and they should think about removing some of the stumps in site 3 they are very dangerous and they're easy to trip and get hurt on especially for elders and children . Over all we love East lake and continue to go back every year !!

Gordon F

Loop:East Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

It's a great site and would be a fantastic experience. The beach is exquisite. But the people on the private property at the south end were EXTREMELY loud all day and into the late evening. I camp in Hiawatha National Forest for the peace and quiet and they totally ruined that.

Timothy D

Loop:East Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

There is poison ivy next to trail leading to the lake

Sarah F

Loop:East Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

The view and water were beautiful, and the campsite was spacious. The big downer was the insane amount of biting flies and mosquitoes. We were eaten alive all day.

Availability

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

Reserve