Featured amenities
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
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Average nightly rates1 total site
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1 site
About Bear Lake Campsite
Number of accommodations: 1
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Fire Pit
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Fire Pit
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001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
Site Details
Reviews (16)
What Guests Are Saying
Bear Lake Campsite is a unique, primitive site that accommodates small groups and offers easy online reservations. While it has no drinking water, toilets, or garbage bins, visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings and friendly atmosphere, with access to numerous trails. The site is best suited for those prepared for a rustic experience, as the road access can be rough and there is no cell service.
What Guests Are Saying
Bear Lake Campsite is a unique, primitive site that accommodates small groups and offers easy online reservations. While it has no drinking water, toilets, or garbage bins, visitors appreciate the beautiful surroundings and friendly atmosphere, with access to numerous trails. The site is best suited for those prepared for a rustic experience, as the road access can be rough and there is no cell service.
Review Summary
Mark Gordon
September 3, 2015
Not a campground, it is a great place to get maps and information on the area. The staff was so helpful and made me feel at home in the forest.
Kyle S
VerifiedJanuary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
Nice campsite, but if youre looking for seclusion this may not be the site for you. Lots of ORV traffic on the trails around the site, including in the middle of the night
Joanne J
VerifiedSeptember 7, 2020 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
Very large sandy site. We saw no other people near the site or on the lake. Very quiet. Fire ring had a flip top grill. Forest roads can be tricky, the 2217 to 2696 spur was good. We had an excellent time
Abraham S
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
Great campsite, poor fishing, very limited access to the lake. Saw 9-10 baby turtles casually walk by our tent.
buza m
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
I like the primitive experience, and this provided it.
kelly s
VerifiedJune 19, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
Love the campsite but the road in is awe full! They need to put some gravel on top of the huge rocks, it takes forever to get into the site because you have to go so slow, everything on the camper is tossed around
Benjamin M
VerifiedJune 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
Human waste and used toilet paper left IN camp.
Burning plastic in fire ring.
Food and trash scattered about.
Dead minnows left right at water access.
Previous occupants ruined what would have been a nice site. It's way out there, so if you're looking for a private spot, this is it. Just bring your hazmat suit.
kelly s
VerifiedJuly 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
Nice place, to camp, but be prepared for a slow bumpy ride into the campsite, the road is absolutely terrible, there are rocks with no gravel or covering on them. By the time we get into the campsite all the cubbords are open and things are a mess
jaiden l
VerifiedJuly 23, 2023 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
there was human poop around the campsite toilet paper everywhere the road was alot worse then they told us i scraped the bottom of my car
Edward G
VerifiedJuly 15, 2024 • Stayed at: 001, Loop: BEAR LAKE CAMPSITE
The Hiawatha national Forest is becoming inundated with ATVs. They tromp all over the place and disturb any chance for peace and quiet. We actually had one barge right into our campsite and proceeded to tell us they had as much right to be there as we did. The previous occupants left food garbage on the ground. You have to go down a steep incline to get to the lake and then it is just muck at the shore.
Location Bear Lake Campsite
Address:
Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District, 8181 Us Hwy 2
Rapid River, MI, 49878
United States
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 8.7 miles to FR 2217.
- Turn left (northwest) on FR 2217 and drive 2.4 miles to FR 2696.
- Turn left (south) on 2696 and drive 0.5 mile to the campsite
Bear Lake Campsite is located approximately 14 miles from US Highway 2, which provides major access to the area.
Elevation: 212 feet
35 mi drive to downtown Rapid River (about 40 min)
Policies & Rules
General
- Pack-In, Pack-out policy
- There is a 14-day stay limit.
- No drinking water provided.
- Campsite must be occupied the first night.
- Campsite cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours.
- You are welcome to collect firewood from the area surrounding your campsite. Just remember that any firewood that you collect must be DEAD AND DOWN
- Click here for more information on the Hiawatha National Forest
- 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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Last updated: September 5, 2026
