Minerva 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 these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.

The 45-acre Minerva Lake contains largemouth bass and perch. This lake has always enjoyed a good reputation for fishing. There is an improved, day use boat access located adjacent to the campsite. It has a gravel base and is recommended for small boats and trailers only. Parking is limited.

Swimming conditions are poor.

Facilities

There is NO primitive toilet or drinking water available at this site.

Lake Name: Minerva Lake

Number of Sites: 1

Maximum Number of People Per Site: 8

Toilets: No

Boat Access: Back-In

Lake Size (acres): 45

Natural Features

There is one primitive campsite located on Minerva Lake. It is located in a small, semi-open area bordered by hardwood trees and hemlocks. It is 40ft. x 30 ft. and suitable for one family and tents or small trailers due to limited turn-around 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.

Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available approximately three miles south on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake area

Camp site features

Across 1 camp site:

Pets allowed: all 1 sites
Longest RV: 16 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 14.4 miles to FR 2767. Turn right (east) and drive 0.25 mile to the campsite. The access road crosses a short, steep hill and is narrow, but still capable of handling moderate sized vehicles.

Stay Limit

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

Reviews

9 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

Amina A

Loop:Minerva Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

This was my first every camping adventure tent style! And it was AMAZING, the site was easy to find! There was a cute cabin general store 7 miles away for anything you missed even fishing lures, ice-cream and homemade pizza! The trails were Astonishing for mushrooms and moss lovers like myself! The land fishing wasn't the best, I'd definitely recommend a kayak for any type of fishing! I caught very small perch! The fire pit was splendid to cook on with the cast iron! Good flat ground for your tent, the only problem we had was this rude couple ignored the reservation sign and ignored us when we tried to tell them and they went kayak until late, late evening! But that was all! 10 outta 10 camping spot!

Ian F

Loop:Minerva Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

Great location, right next to boat launch, but maybe 1 or 2 cars or trucks ever came.. Nature trail around the lake as well as no bugs when we went! (September 20th around). Nice lake, didn't catch any fish but I'm sure they're out there!

COREY H

Loop:Minerva Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 2 years ago

We loved this site! I stayed here as a kid and wanted to relive past memories and it was a great time. The camp site was clean and the trail next to the site made for a nice walk around the lake. I will be going back in the future and continue to make more memories at Minerva!

Justin P

Loop:Minerva Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

Private little campsite right next to a boat launch. Small so don’t plan on more than a couple tents. Very close to the big sand playground if you are planning on doing any off-road activities.

Beth C

Loop:Minerva Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

It was great being able to reserve this little camp. The site was easy to find and access with our small camper, but there was someone in it when we arrived late in the evening, despite there being a sign that it was reservation only. We felt bad asking the campers to leave, but we had the reservation for months and no where else to go. We did not get set up until quite late because of this, but not sure what could be done to prevent it beyond the sign. The site was large with a nice view of the lake, but there were odd dug up muddy spots and the placement of the firepit was very awkward, leaving few places for a decent tent or camper set up. The lake was lovely with a nice trail partially around it and a boat landing, but not much life in the lake at all, a few frogs and ducks, but two days of fishing all around yielded nothing. The water was pretty clear with not much vegetation and we didn't even spot a minnow or tiny pan fish. I'd camp again and pay a bit more to do so if the forest service put little extra effort into maintaining the sites and maybe added a primitive toilet.

Jacy B

Loop:Minerva Lake Campsite

Site:

Reviewed 4 years ago

Great little spot for privacy and close to a few trails heads in Hiawatha. The lake and forest surrounding the site are beautiful and good for wildlife, star gazing at night. The main downsides are lack of an outhouse, the lake is too shallow and mucky-bottomed for good swimming, and at lot of ATVs come down to check out the day use area which is unfortunately placed right next to the site. That said, most folks were respectful and didn't stick around.

Availability

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

Reserve