Available sites
10 total sites
RV Sites
About Nichols Lake South Campground
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water Access
- Beach Access
- Lake Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Rates, Sites & Availability
10 Sites Available
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Site Details
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10 Sites Available
No available sites
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
Reviews (103)
What Guests Are Saying
Nichols Lake South Campground offers spacious and secluded sites, making it a favorite among families who appreciate the clean facilities, friendly camp host, and enjoyable beach area. Guests have noted the campground's cleanliness, hot showers, and accessibility to hiking trails, with many expressing a desire to return. However, some have reported issues with reservations and noise from generators, particularly during busy times.
What Guests Are Saying
Nichols Lake South Campground offers spacious and secluded sites, making it a favorite among families who appreciate the clean facilities, friendly camp host, and enjoyable beach area. Guests have noted the campground's cleanliness, hot showers, and accessibility to hiking trails, with many expressing a desire to return. However, some have reported issues with reservations and noise from generators, particularly during busy times.
Review Summary
Chad G
VerifiedJuly 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
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
VerifiedJuly 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
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
VerifiedJuly 13, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
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.
Shirley C
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
The spongy moth caterpillars infested the whole camp. It was impossible to enjoy anything without them crawling all over. And the poop.....all over the camper. We left a day earlier than planned. We had to scrape the poop off our camper and awning. No hot water in the shower. We have camped at Nichols Lake for over 25 years. I doubt we will ever go back. It was a horrible experience.
Shirley C
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
The spongy moth caterpillars infested the whole camp. It was impossible to enjoy anything without them crawling all over. And the poop.....all over the camper. We left a day earlier than planned. We had to scrape the poop off our camper and awning. No hot water in the shower. We have camped at Nichols Lake for over 25 years. I doubt we will ever go back. It was a horrible experience.
donald m
VerifiedOctober 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
Site was very large and bordered on lagoon to the west which made launching my kayak at the site nice. It was in June and I hit the emergence of the Gypsy moth caterpillars, so they were everywhere. Not so nice, but at least they don't bite like mosquitoes. Hosts were very friendly and helpful, and they stuck to the USFS rules about keeping all your tires on the pavement. I didn't use the facilities, so I cannot comment on the cleanliness of the restrooms. I am familiar with this area, and the North Country Trail runs along the west shore of the lagoon making hiking and exploring convenient. Run up to Baldwin for ice cream at Jones'.
donald m
VerifiedOctober 9, 2021 • Stayed at: 24, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
Site was very large and bordered on lagoon to the west which made launching my kayak at the site nice. It was in June and I hit the emergence of the Gypsy moth caterpillars, so they were everywhere. Not so nice, but at least they don't bite like mosquitoes. Hosts were very friendly and helpful, and they stuck to the USFS rules about keeping all your tires on the pavement. I didn't use the facilities, so I cannot comment on the cleanliness of the restrooms. I am familiar with this area, and the North Country Trail runs along the west shore of the lagoon making hiking and exploring convenient. Run up to Baldwin for ice cream at Jones'.
Desmond M
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
It has a small beach that came in handy
Desmond M
VerifiedSeptember 5, 2021 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
It has a small beach that came in handy
Sara K
VerifiedAugust 23, 2021 • Stayed at: 22, Loop: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
Site 22 was really nice and wooded. Close to lake and bathrooms. Lake is so clear and beautiful. Right on the North Country Trail for great hiking.
Location & Directions for Nichols Lake South Campground
P.O. Box 69, Manistee, MI 49660 United States
Elevation: 272 ft
Getting There
From Baldwin, take M-37 south for 13.5 mi to 11 mi Road. Turn right. Go west approximately 4.5 mi to the campground entrance. From White Cloud, take M-37 north for 13 mi to 11 mi Road. Turn west for 4.5 mi to the campground.
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.
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.
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Last updated: October 19, 2026
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