Lyman Lake Campsites

Show on map906-474-6442 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. 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 campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.

Lyman Lake supports a diverse fishery of bluegills, pumpkinseeds, rock bass, largemouth bass and northern pike. There is a back-in boat access, with parking, located between sites 6 and 7.

Swimming conditions vary based on site choice.

  • Good swimming areas can be found at sites 3 and 5.
  • Sites 4 and 6 have fair swimming areas.
  • Sites 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10 have poor swimming areas.

Facilities

There is NO drinking water available.

Primitive toilets can be found at several of the campsites.

Lake Name: Lyman Lake
Number of Sites: 10
Maximum number of people per site: 

  • Sites 1, 7, 10 (8)
  • Sites 2-4, 6, 8, 9 (16)
  • Site 5 (24)

Toilets: Yes Sites 3,4,5,8, and 9
Boat Access: Back-In, Public access launch in-between sites 6 and 7

Lake Size (acres): 67

Natural Features

Lyman Lake has 10 campsites lining its shores, which can make this lake very busy! Each campsite has its own set of specific features.

Sites 2,3,5,8, and 9 all had rock work and split rail done to them to bring back the edges of the site.

  • Site 1 is on a small, wooded area, 35 ft x 25 ft and has good road access. This site is suitable for one family and a small trailer. Access to the lake is steep, but a stairway is provided.
  • Site 2 is a level area that measures 40 ft x 30 ft in size and is suitable for two families and trailers. Access to the lake is steep, but a stairway is provided.
  • Site 3 is on an open area, 75ft x 70 ft and is suitable for two families with trailers. 
  • Site 4 is 40 ft x 40 ft and very wooded. This site can accomodate two families with trailers, but turn-around space is very limited.
  • Site 5 is a large area that measures 75 ft x 50 ft. and has good road access. It is suitable for three families and trailers. 
  • Site 6 is a large area that measures 75 ft x 60 ft. The ground slopes, making it difficult for trailers. This site is suitable for two families. Turning radius is very limited.
  • Site 7 is 45 ft x 35 ft and is on a slope. It is suitable for one family. Tents are recommended at this site.
  • Site 8 is wooded, 55 ft x 35 ft, and is situated on a hill overlooking Lyman Lake. The site is level and suitable for two families and trailers.
  • Site 9 is wooded, 80 ft x 40 ft and on a hill overlooking Lyman Lake. The site is level and suitable for two families and trailers. There is limited turn-around space.
  • Site 10 is in a wooded area, 50 ft x 30 ft, and overlooks Lyman Lake. It is isolated from the other campsites and has a seperate access road. This site is suitable for one family.

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.

Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available seven miles northeast on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake area.

Camp site features

Across 10 camp sites:

  • Pets allowed: all 10 sites
  • Longest RV: 40 ft
  • Largest party: 24 people

Directions

Primary access is off Forest Roads 2218 and 2436, with secondary access depending on which site is chosen. 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 1.5 miles to the access to site #1. For sites 2-10: drive 1.4 miles from the intersection of CR 442 and FR 2218 to FR 2880. Turn right (east) and drive to the campsites.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

55 reviews
5 stars
28
4 stars
14
3 stars
9
2 stars
1
1 stars
3
Martha S
Loop:Lyman Lake Campsite
Site:
Reviewed a month ago
Nice big site, beautiful lake.
Valerie R
Loop:Lyman Lake Campsite
Site:
Reviewed 2 months ago
Always so relaxing
Jennifer C
Loop:Lyman Lake Campsite
Site:
Reviewed 3 months ago
We were in site #5. It’s big, with a vault toilet right there and easy private access to the lake. It’s a beautiful lake with 10 sites scattered around the lake so each site is very private. This was absolutely our favorite camping experience in the UP. We prefer rustic and private surrounded in natural beauty. The drive does require quite a bit of dirt roads that are mostly well maintained with only a couple spots to be real careful. We saw people pulling their boats on that road, so it is not that bad. If you are looking for a Hiawatha National Forest experience, this is it. Cell phone not likely to work. We have Starlink; there is a place between firepit & lake we set it up and it worked fine with no issues. However, the site is heavily shaded. We parked where we could get a couple hours of some direct sun for our solar system, but mostly it was spotty sun or straight shade. We have good battery capacity & managed our usage so we were fine. However, that mostly sunny spot required us to sacrifice by being a little unlevel. Wasn’t an issue, just part of the experience.
Donna M
Loop:Lyman Lake Campsite
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
I am only giving poor review because we booked for the weekend the bad Canadian smoke was here. We were unable to go camping and I have been trying since last week to see if we could use the money I paid for another weekend as it was to dangerous to be out. There has been no way to contact anyone. We really wanna do another weekend and hopefully use the money paid for the weekend we couldn't go due to the severe smoke
Terry M
Loop:Lyman Lake Campsite
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Beautiful beach site.
Pete L
Loop:Lyman Lake Campsite
Site:
Reviewed 4 months ago
Site 10 is a beautiful isolated site that was perfect for tent camping. Mosquitoes and flies were quite tolerable (July 3-5). The only downside was not having an outhouse nearby.
Availability

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Season dates

Peak season

May 15, 2027 – Oct 15, 2027

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Peak season

May 15, 2028 – Oct 15, 2028

Reservable online

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