Gooseneck 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.

The best swimming opportunities are located at site 3 and site 4.

Site 1 does NOT have good swimming conditions.
Site 3 has good swimming conditions, however there are high banks at this site that block the view of the shoreline from the site.
Site 4 has a very shallow beach area

An improved public boat access is located near site 1. A toilet is nearby, which is shared with site 1. The lake offers a good fishery of walleye, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, sunfish and northern pike.

Facilities

There is NO drinking water available at these sites.

Primitive toilets are available at the campsites:

Site 1 has a primitive toilet, which is located and shared with the public using the boat launch
Site 3 has a primtive toilet.

Lake Name: Gooseneck Lake

Number of Sites: 3

Maximum Number of People Per Site: Site 1 and 4 (8), Site 3 (16)

Toilets: Yes at sites 1 and 3

Boat Access: Back-In near Site 1

Lake Size (acres): 123

Natural Features

Gooseneck Lake is an extremely busy lake with private land and cottages surrounding most of its shores. As a result, pontoon boats, jet skis and water skiers and even occasional fishing boats can be seen and heard on the lake.

There are three campsites on Gooseneck Lake:

Site 1 is set back in a wooded area. Although its small, it is very nice. It is 40 ft. x 30 ft. with rough road access. It is suitable for a single family, but trailers are not recommended.
Site 3 is an excellent camping area at the top of a small sandy bank. It is an open area, 100 ft x 70 ft in size. Access is good and this site is suitable for two families and trailers.
Site 4 is located on the south side of the lake. The site is 70 ft. x 45 ft. and can accomodate one family. The access road is firm, but very narrow with sharp turns and washboard roots. Trailers are not recommended due to the very limited turning space.

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.

Camp site features

Across 3 camp sites:

Fire pit: 1 of 3 sites
Pets allowed: all 3 sites
Longest RV: 24 ft
Largest party: 16 people
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

Directions

From the Intersection of US-2 and Forest Highway 13 (about 14 miles east of Rapid River); drive north 8.4 miles on Highway 13 to CR 442. Turn right (east) and drive 8 miles to FR 2218. Turn left (north) and drive 1.6 miles to FR 2218EA or 0.8 mile to FR 2218G.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

20 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Adriane K

Loop:Gooseneck Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Campsite 3 is a large quiet flat space for both van/rv and tent camping. No water, trash, or dumping options. There is a pit toilet, fire ring, and picnic table. The site has water access to the lake via steps. The main issue is that the road signage as well as the online directions do not direct campers to site 3. The road signs don’t display 3 at all and the online directions take campers to the opposite side of the lake from the site 3 location. It is not until you are at the site that you see a sign for “3”. This is really frustrating and could be easily resolved.

Ann P

Loop:Gooseneck Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The location of the site is beautiful but the forest service does not take care of it. The steps going to the water are hazardous, dangerous, and somebody is going to end up getting hurt on them. We were there for two weeks and the rangers never once came to replace toilet paper in the outhouse in a group site with 12 people. They took great care of site 1 after putting huge boulders in there so only one camper can fit on the site.

Kevin L

Loop:Gooseneck Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

This was a very nice secluded, rustic site. Mixed areas of sun and shade depending on the time of day. The lake is beautiful, and the access is good for a kayak or canoe. Swimming would be a challenge because of the soft and murky lake bottom at the campsite. Swimming was good at the nearby Camp 7 beach. Had a couple of people driving up to the campsite thinking it was unoccupied. Would be nice if there was an occupied or some type of indicator at the campsite driveway entrance. As the website indicates, no drinking water is available - need to go to Camp 7 (approx 2miles) to get ice cold tasty water for drinking and cooking.

Brandon B

Loop:Gooseneck Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Like the site but not all the big rocks. Ill probably try a different site next time.

Tom L

Loop:Gooseneck Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Had site 1 for 2 weeks, was a quiet and joyful time with many campfires at night, Forest Service should still move some of the big rocks so we can use the loop that was there forever, just saying! Love Gooseneck Lake for all the boating and Lake activities!

Nathan B

Loop:Gooseneck Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

I visited in October of this year. The campsite is in excellent condition, big fire ring but there is no grate on it just FYI. The Coordinates 46°03'59.6"N 86°32'41.9"W give the exact location, but the maps link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcF3MDae1JTZUPea8 also shows you exactly where you need to turn to get to the campsite. The campsite road is marked with a post with the number 4 on it. The trail is bumpy but I made it work with a FWD Sedan. If you have any kind of 4x4 or car with some clearance you'll be fine. There are neighbors nearby, the lake was calm but I could see it being louder in the warmer season with boats and the like. But this campsite is great, and big enough to accommodate multiple tents.

Availability

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Popularity: Quiet