OutReserve

Nichols Lake South Campground

Nichols Lake Campground sign
Boardwalk ramp
Beach
Boardwalk stairs
NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly

About Nichols Lake South Campground

Located on the south side of Nichols Lake, the campground and surrounding area offer excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, camping, or just relaxing.

Number of accommodations: 10

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 9 to Oct 12

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
  • Lake Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

10 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 17, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 18, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 19, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 20, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 21, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 22, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 23, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 24, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 25, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available
🚐 26, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
No Hookups
Price not available

Reviews (90)

What Guests Are Saying

Nichols Lake South Campground offers spacious, private campsites in a peaceful setting, making it an excellent choice for families and solo campers alike. The campground features a friendly and helpful host, clean facilities, and enjoyable recreational options like swimming, hiking, and biking. Some areas could use improvements, such as the boat launch and restroom updates, but overall, visitors appreciate the well-maintained environment and the beautiful natural surroundings.

Review Summary

4.1
90 reviews
5
51.1%
46
4
20.0%
18
3
20.0%
18
2
4.4%
4
1
4.4%
4

John M

Verified

September 6, 2022 Stayed at: 21, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

4

Nice little campground. Quiet with a clean beach. Campsite manager is friendly. Bathhouse is older but clean and stocked with toilet paper.

John M

Verified

September 6, 2022 Stayed at: 21, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

4

Nice little campground. Quiet with a clean beach. Campsite manager is friendly. Bathhouse is older but clean and stocked with toilet paper.

Gene D

Verified

August 18, 2022 Stayed at: 22, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

5

The campground was well maintained and clean. Showers and bathrooms were great. Dave, camp host, was very personable and was constantly cleaning up around.

The campground was surprisingly quite empty. So from our perspective, it was nice.

Gene D

Verified

August 18, 2022 Stayed at: 22, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

5

The campground was well maintained and clean. Showers and bathrooms were great. Dave, camp host, was very personable and was constantly cleaning up around.

The campground was surprisingly quite empty. So from our perspective, it was nice.

Kelly M

Verified

August 14, 2022 Stayed at: 25, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

3

Nice big sites and great hiking nearby. Accessible boardwalk down to water. Unfortunately we went during sponge moth season and it was ... gross ...

Kelly M

Verified

August 14, 2022 Stayed at: 25, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

3

Nice big sites and great hiking nearby. Accessible boardwalk down to water. Unfortunately we went during sponge moth season and it was ... gross ...

Chad G

Verified

July 14, 2022 Stayed at: 24, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

3

We loved the location and the swimming area with the dock. Our kids had lots of fun swimming and fishing. Showers were not working and it sounded like they had been out for a while and wouldn’t be fixed for a while. The fire ring was crooked and felt like it was just tossed into the camping area. The wood to purchase was literally a rip off. If they don’t want people to bring wood in, maybe provide actual split logs and not the bark of the trees for $7 a bundle. The host was nice. Camp was pretty clean.

Chad G

Verified

July 14, 2022 Stayed at: 24, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

3

We loved the location and the swimming area with the dock. Our kids had lots of fun swimming and fishing. Showers were not working and it sounded like they had been out for a while and wouldn’t be fixed for a while. The fire ring was crooked and felt like it was just tossed into the camping area. The wood to purchase was literally a rip off. If they don’t want people to bring wood in, maybe provide actual split logs and not the bark of the trees for $7 a bundle. The host was nice. Camp was pretty clean.

Sarah P

Verified

July 13, 2022 Stayed at: 17, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

4

Love this campground for its location and site size. Did NOT care for the ‘decorations’ the hosts added to camp walks and spaces. Also didn’t care for the motion activated security lights.

I don’t go to NFS camps to encounter this type of junk.

Otherwise, highly recommended.

Sarah P

Verified

July 13, 2022 Stayed at: 17, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND

4

Love this campground for its location and site size. Did NOT care for the ‘decorations’ the hosts added to camp walks and spaces. Also didn’t care for the motion activated security lights.

I don’t go to NFS camps to encounter this type of junk.

Otherwise, highly recommended.

Location Nichols Lake South Campground

Address:
P.O. Box 69
Manistee, MI, 49660
United States

Highway access

Nichols Lake South Campground is accessible via M-37, which is approximately 13 miles from both Baldwin and White Cloud. There are no interstates or major freeways within 25 miles.

Latitude & Longitude: 43.7231 / -85.9025

Elevation: 272 feet

Policies & Rules

Cancellation policy

  • Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
  • Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
  • Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
    • Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
    • One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
  • Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
  • Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
  • Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 5, 2026

USDA Forest Service Logo
Managed by USDA Forest Service