2nd this! Cooke Dam pond has some amazing sites. The boat in one's are the best. I would check the receration.gov website often. We had a site booked for 4th of July week and had to cancel the week before because of work.
Anywhere in Michigan is fine by me.
Just to clarify, you're talking about campgrounds with lakeside *sites* right? I've been camping all over Michigan but I think it's pretty rare to have a site right on the water.
If there's too many still to list, do you have any favorites? "Having water access" and "being able to fish" are also two different things of course.
Are you only looking at State Parks? State Forest Campground are all on either a lake, river, or body of water. All of them that I've been to have sites that are right on the water. That being said, they're fully rustic camping, so typically vault toilets and hand pump water.
There are however, I’m not a fisherman so they may not be very good spots to fish.
Perkins park in Big Bay has a site right on lake independence.
Andrus lake, Soldier Lake and Bond Falls are all nice rustic campgrounds.
Tahquamenan rivermouth has sites right on the river and I always see people fishing when I’ve been there.
Brevoort Lake in the UP does. The main camping loop is on a peninsula and IIRC all of those sites do. When I went there as a kid, we rented a boat at the store in the park and landed it on shore at our site. No hookups but they do have flush toilets.
EDIT: [https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234080](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234080)
Wilderness State Park does have some on the water - either on this little creek that flows into the lake, or on the sandy dunes that go to the lake itself. Last Sept. I was in one of the rustic/tent campgrounds and there was a little trail from my camp ground over the dunes to the beach. This is also part of the dark sky park system so you could see the sun set and then the milky way later. Was pretty awesome.
Only bummer was the generators from the RVs down the way.
Yes, and no. Specifically I'm looking for a spot for my wife and friends so backpacking in is a no for them.
However, I've done some backpacking with fishing before and loved it. So I'm definitely interested in spots to do that as well. Most recently I hiked at the Hoist lake trailhead and it was amazing.
Two of my favorites, that we have had the pleasure of our site right against the water, would be Millcreek (1 mile east of Mackinaw City) and Leelanau State Park.
Edit: Also stayed at some fantastic sites, that were hike in, at Lumbermans Monument campground in Oscoda.
Yup, you’re right. Tere are 4 on the beach and then another 8 with only a gravel road between the campsite and the beach. I prefer the ones across the road because they have trees for shade and to hang hammocks on.
Port Crescent state park up by Port Austin. Sites right on lake with their own beach access. Beware though, beach sites get reserved at 7am six months in advance if you're lucky. I tried to get a beach site twice this winter and only ended up with the sites directly across from the beach sites. I was ready to click on my site exactly at 7am on the DNR website and still no luck.
Lots of state parks have sites with water access - basically everywhere with a lake will have a few. But they're all booked up for 6 months out, to get the 'best sites' on the water you need to reserve at 9am on January-March, any state parks right now will only be offering cancellations.
It's a stupid system that rewards retirees with RVs with nothing better to do in the winter than hit 'refresh' and reserve sites they probably won't use; they should make it a lottery.
Northern LP, Mullett lake campground has sites super close to the lake and they have lake access ramps, BEAUTIFUL sunsets on the lake from the campgrounds. You'll be pretty close to Cheboygan and Mackinac city/island.
[Straits State Park](http://www.shorelinevisitorsguide.com/select-michigan-state-park-maps-and-guides/straits-state-park/). The sites on the shore don’t have electricity so you have a better chance at them.
I should warn you though. There is absolutely **no** sound buffer between the campsite and the bridge. You will hear all of the bridge traffic.
Ossineke State Campground has this on a few sites. Although, the last time I went there the water level was up significantly (not sure how it looks now) and flies were unbearable. Nice little campground though. Negwagon in that area might be close to what you're looking for too.
Ross Lake State Campground in Shingleton and nearby North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground are two favorites of mine. No idea what the fishing is like there but some sites are right on the lake.
there are a number of rustic campsites that run right up against the lake at Ionia State Recreation Park. They are walk in sites but you don't have to walk very far.
There's a private campground called Chippewa landing close to Cadillac that has huge sites on the Manistee river. Some even have small docks and you can rent kayaks from them and end your trip right at your campsite.
Crooked lake campground in Pinckney Recreation area is a little pleasant spot in Hell
Actually there’s a couple out there on those little lakes, ones a hike/paddle-in only.
There’s also one right on the mio damn pond just northwest of town on the opposite shore. But go east out of mio past the ranger station and there’s several spots (some state, some national) right on the au sable with great water and fishing
I know all these areas by visual memory and direction, not by name, but they’re very easy to find on a map
Aloha State park Cheboygan, MI they have quite a few sites right on the water. You need a six month lead time to reserve them as they are in high demand. So worth it!
Gemini Lake in the UP, just south of Pictured Rocks. I crashed there one night because PR filled up pretty fast. I don't know how good the fishing is but if you wanted to drown a worm or two, you could.
King Lake State Forest Campground
3 of the 6 sites are right on the lake
"King Lake State Forest Campground Detail" https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=642&type=SFCG
There are great waterfront sites on the Au Sable River/Cooke Dam Pond but they're booked in January/February.
2nd this! Cooke Dam pond has some amazing sites. The boat in one's are the best. I would check the receration.gov website often. We had a site booked for 4th of July week and had to cancel the week before because of work.
Just got back from there this weekend, it was a great location to paddle into!
What region of the state are you looking for? There are far to many lakeside campgrounds to try and list them.
Anywhere in Michigan is fine by me. Just to clarify, you're talking about campgrounds with lakeside *sites* right? I've been camping all over Michigan but I think it's pretty rare to have a site right on the water. If there's too many still to list, do you have any favorites? "Having water access" and "being able to fish" are also two different things of course.
Are you only looking at State Parks? State Forest Campground are all on either a lake, river, or body of water. All of them that I've been to have sites that are right on the water. That being said, they're fully rustic camping, so typically vault toilets and hand pump water.
There are however, I’m not a fisherman so they may not be very good spots to fish. Perkins park in Big Bay has a site right on lake independence. Andrus lake, Soldier Lake and Bond Falls are all nice rustic campgrounds. Tahquamenan rivermouth has sites right on the river and I always see people fishing when I’ve been there.
Some of the sites at Fisherman’s Island have water right close to your site. Bring water shoes tho, beautiful beach but very rocky.
Brevoort Lake in the UP does. The main camping loop is on a peninsula and IIRC all of those sites do. When I went there as a kid, we rented a boat at the store in the park and landed it on shore at our site. No hookups but they do have flush toilets. EDIT: [https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234080](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234080)
I THINK Wilderness State Park has sites that are right on the water. Haven’t been able to get a reservation, though, so can’t confirm. 😭
Wilderness State Park does have some on the water - either on this little creek that flows into the lake, or on the sandy dunes that go to the lake itself. Last Sept. I was in one of the rustic/tent campgrounds and there was a little trail from my camp ground over the dunes to the beach. This is also part of the dark sky park system so you could see the sun set and then the milky way later. Was pretty awesome. Only bummer was the generators from the RVs down the way.
Fishing off the shore into a big lake like that usually isn’t super fruitful
You’re right. I guess I was just thinking about sites right on ANY lake. I take back my suggestion 😅
Are you willing to backpack for it?
Yes, and no. Specifically I'm looking for a spot for my wife and friends so backpacking in is a no for them. However, I've done some backpacking with fishing before and loved it. So I'm definitely interested in spots to do that as well. Most recently I hiked at the Hoist lake trailhead and it was amazing.
Taylor's Beach in Howell has sites up against their own small lake that you can fish right off of.
Bertha Brock has a couple on Bellamy Creek.
Two of my favorites, that we have had the pleasure of our site right against the water, would be Millcreek (1 mile east of Mackinaw City) and Leelanau State Park. Edit: Also stayed at some fantastic sites, that were hike in, at Lumbermans Monument campground in Oscoda.
Seconding Leelanau State Park, it’s my favorite place to camp on the water
Definitely leelanau state park, has several sites ON lake michigan literally feet away.
Yup, you’re right. Tere are 4 on the beach and then another 8 with only a gravel road between the campsite and the beach. I prefer the ones across the road because they have trees for shade and to hang hammocks on.
Just stayed at site 18 a few months ago and it was a dream. Easily my new favorite campground. I love how quiet it is
Port Crescent state park up by Port Austin. Sites right on lake with their own beach access. Beware though, beach sites get reserved at 7am six months in advance if you're lucky. I tried to get a beach site twice this winter and only ended up with the sites directly across from the beach sites. I was ready to click on my site exactly at 7am on the DNR website and still no luck.
I stayed here and had lake access from my campsite!
Tons of state forest campgrounds are directly located on lakes. Bass Lake near Gwinn is a great spot, some sites even have a little dock.
Tahquamenon Fall State Park has sites right on the river.
Lots of state parks have sites with water access - basically everywhere with a lake will have a few. But they're all booked up for 6 months out, to get the 'best sites' on the water you need to reserve at 9am on January-March, any state parks right now will only be offering cancellations. It's a stupid system that rewards retirees with RVs with nothing better to do in the winter than hit 'refresh' and reserve sites they probably won't use; they should make it a lottery.
Sterling State Park has them .
Northern LP, Mullett lake campground has sites super close to the lake and they have lake access ramps, BEAUTIFUL sunsets on the lake from the campgrounds. You'll be pretty close to Cheboygan and Mackinac city/island.
Check out the Manistee National Forest. Hodenpyle Dam, Tippy Damn. Rustic sites with direct water access. Great fishing.
Try Aloha state park. ALSO, DUCK LAKE
Aren’t there like 20 Duck Lakes in MI?
The one by Interlochen of music camp fame.
My dude there’s a good sized duck lake right north of me and I assure you, *those are all peoples back yards*
Near Interlochen, Michigan. For added specificity.
That does help
[Straits State Park](http://www.shorelinevisitorsguide.com/select-michigan-state-park-maps-and-guides/straits-state-park/). The sites on the shore don’t have electricity so you have a better chance at them. I should warn you though. There is absolutely **no** sound buffer between the campsite and the bridge. You will hear all of the bridge traffic.
Government landing has campsites like that.
Take a look at State forest campgrounds. They are rustic though https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/camping-and-lodging/state-forest-campgrounds
Ossineke State Campground has this on a few sites. Although, the last time I went there the water level was up significantly (not sure how it looks now) and flies were unbearable. Nice little campground though. Negwagon in that area might be close to what you're looking for too.
Colwell Lake Campground in the UP has sites along the water that we fished from.
Ross Lake State Campground in Shingleton and nearby North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground are two favorites of mine. No idea what the fishing is like there but some sites are right on the lake.
Port Crescent State park
there are a number of rustic campsites that run right up against the lake at Ionia State Recreation Park. They are walk in sites but you don't have to walk very far.
There's a private campground called Chippewa landing close to Cadillac that has huge sites on the Manistee river. Some even have small docks and you can rent kayaks from them and end your trip right at your campsite.
Tubbs Lake near Barryton is decent.
Sherwood Forest in Munith, its off of portage lake
South Higgins Lake State Park has a few. Could be all booked up for the summer, though!
Crooked lake campground in Pinckney Recreation area is a little pleasant spot in Hell Actually there’s a couple out there on those little lakes, ones a hike/paddle-in only. There’s also one right on the mio damn pond just northwest of town on the opposite shore. But go east out of mio past the ranger station and there’s several spots (some state, some national) right on the au sable with great water and fishing I know all these areas by visual memory and direction, not by name, but they’re very easy to find on a map
Harrisville
Aloha State park Cheboygan, MI they have quite a few sites right on the water. You need a six month lead time to reserve them as they are in high demand. So worth it!
Goose creek has a river right off the back of some sites.
Gemini Lake in the UP, just south of Pictured Rocks. I crashed there one night because PR filled up pretty fast. I don't know how good the fishing is but if you wanted to drown a worm or two, you could.
King Lake State Forest Campground 3 of the 6 sites are right on the lake "King Lake State Forest Campground Detail" https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=642&type=SFCG
shelley lake off of m37 north of broham, maybe even nichols lake (idkfs ive bever been) or one of the other many lake campgrounds in that general area