OutReserve

Council Lake Campsites

Council Lake - Sunset View
COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE day use area
Council Lake Campsite
Council Lake Campsite

About Council Lake Campsites

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.

Number of accommodations: 4

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 closed - Opens on May 15

Sites & Availability

4 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 01, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE
No Hookups
$8.00
/ per night
🚐 02, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE
No Hookups
$8.00
/ per night
03, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$8.00
/ per night
04, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE
8 guests · Campfire · Pet Friendly
$8.00
/ per night

Reviews (18)

What Guests Are Saying

Council Lake Campsites offers a variety of well-situated sites, particularly #2 and #3, which provide water access and trail connections for canoeing and hiking. Visitors appreciate the serene and secluded atmosphere, with Site #4 noted for its beauty. While some facilities like the toilet and fire pit could use improvement, the overall experience is positive, with friendly park service and a strong desire from guests to return.

Review Summary

3.9
18 reviews
5
66.7%
12
4
5.6%
1
3
5.6%
1
2
0.0%
0
1
22.2%
4

Matt B

Verified

October 3, 2021 Stayed at: 03, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

1

It was supposed to be dispersed camping, but when I got there, all five sites were right next to each other. Zero privacy or quiet. The site I reserved didn't even have a flat enough spot for a tent without being 15 ft away from another tent. I didn't even stay there... it wasn't worth it so I left. No good views of the lake.

Mark H

Verified

July 28, 2021 Stayed at: 04, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

1

Someone was in our spot....refused to move and got aggressive. No name on site or anyone there to assist.

Terry H

Verified

May 25, 2021 Stayed at: 03, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

5

Beautiful lake. Very quiet and peaceful, remote yet close to Munising. Perfect tent and kayak site.

Timothy M

Verified

February 3, 2021 Stayed at: 01, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

5

Really a great spot. pretty secluded but bring your bug spray. Pretty easy drive to Pictured Rocks.

Jennifer S

Verified

January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 02, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

5

Quiet and beautiful.bring your own drinking water or buy it at the little store on the main road!

jane C

Verified

January 17, 2020 Stayed at: 04, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

5

This campground is quiet, small, rustic, and above all beautiful. The lake is within feet of every campsite. There is a hiking trail at the end of the campsites that I recommend. The perfect place to get away from it all. Tents only :)

Mark S

Verified

January 15, 2020 Stayed at: 03, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

5

Campsites fairly close. Works well for a group. Large campers can't get turned around very well. Some people may come in to picnic, but very quiet. Excellent place to Kayak through the chain of lakes. Fishing is OK. Good hiking trails.

Stephanie B

Verified

January 13, 2020 Stayed at: 02, Loop: COUNCIL LAKE CAMPSITE

3

There were a few things I really liked about this site, and some the opposite....I'd give it a solid 3-4 stars. It's a super quiet area, with 4 rustic sites at the end of a long, dirt road. The road isn't marked too well and it took a turn around by myself, and the other party we were meeting, to find it. it's very secluded and right on the lake. We choose site #2 (I believe) which was linked immediately up to #3. This would be GREAT if you had both sites, or a large group of people renting both, but when trying to stay private, it's SUPER hard when you're almost on top of each other. I would have camped in an RV park if I wanted neighbors that close. We moved one of our tents out towards the wooded area on the other side as to not encroach on the neighbors space, and DNR/Camp Manager told us we weren't allowed to have the tent in the woods and had to move it back to the site. :( The first night was great as there were no neighbors, but we had to be extremely mindful (of noise and space) of the neighbors who moved in the second night. Luckily they were super nice, quiet and respectful and it turned out fine. It was too close for comfort when the online map made it seem not too bad. That was about the worst thing about it. The toilets are very rustic. There was a spider the size of my hand right inside the seat, so we mainly used the woods for most of the trip. We took our kayak out on the lake. There are three SUPER QUIET, connected lakes. There wasn't a single camp or human on the two lakes we did kayak. It was unbelievable quiet and pretty. My husband fished and caught fish after fish the entire time. Overall, we had a great trip and I would go back, though I would pick a more secluded campsite. I would recommend for woods camping. Lake was beautiful.

Location Council Lake Campsites

Address:
Munising Ranger District
Munising, MI, 49862
United States

Latitude & Longitude: 46.2416 / -86.6472

Elevation: 253 feet

Policies & Rules

Category About
General

Pack-in, Pack-out policy

General

There is a 14 day stay limit.

General

No drinking water is provided at the campsite.

General

Campsite cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours.

General

Campsite must be occupied the first night of your reservation.

General

Off-road vehicle use is prohibited at the campsite and in the surrounding areas.

General

You are welcome to collect firewood from the area surrounding your campsite. Remember that any firewood that you collect must be DEAD AND DOWN.

General

Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

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