East Lake Campsites

Campsite was cheap thankfully. I didn't get to set up my tent and actually camp though. I ran into rain and ended up leaving early to avoid getting stuck down the dirt roads to get to the site. The site was also ridden with bugs this time of year being right next to the water so I just decided to stay in my car. Not the best experience but not all of it is the sites fault.

Great dispersed camping area, very peaceful, right on the lake. Did have mosquitoes but not as bad as I was expecting, We had warm days and cool nights.

This spot was a beautiful secluded camp site. We had our own little private beach and there was a new fire pit ring with a grate. Would love to come back to this gem again! Only 30 min from pictured rocks! Directions on the two track roads to get here were a little confusing but we figured it out.

It's absolutely beautiful here, very private, the lake is gorgeous -- but if you're here during mosquito season it's absolutely unbearable. We had to leave in the middle of the night because the bugs were relentless and honestly the worse I have ever experienced. So check the local "weather" reports before booking. It's a gem if there are no bugs out! Can't beat the price either. Internet service was spotty but not totally out.

My partner and I were unable to access the site. The visual map on Google maps and on the recreation.gov reservation page does not match the verbal directions to reach the site from M-94. We followed the map instructions until reaching a plywood sign with blue spray paint saying "east lake 1,2,3" pointing down a fork in the road. We followed this sign and searched for an hour without success. We then tried to ask the private property owner whose front gate the sign was on for directions, but they could not be found and many of their signs and yard decorations implied that they would shoot anyone suspected of trespassing. We then searched for another hour down each unpaved logging road we could find, without success. We had reserved site 3 but the only site we could find was 1, where another couple was already camped. We asked them for directions and they were kind, but we again couldn't find our site. By this time it was dark out and there was nowhere for us to camp, so we resorted to a motel in Manistique.

Rugged!!
Pros:
Beautiful tiny secluded lake, no highway noise despite being right near the highway, only 3 sites and 1 private house on a whole small private lake.
Sites are all separated and have lake access, spacious and seemed like you could hike on any paths too
Cons:
VERY hard to find, we were in site 3, there are 2 very spaced out wooden signs but several intersections in-between that are unmarked. Follow the blue tags and one bud light can to find site 3. Probably a mile of unpaved bumpy roads. Don't need high clearance but it would help.
VERY buggy. Applied as much spray and lotion as we had and still spent half the night jogging to the car and to the fire. Woke up in the morning with ACTUALLY 40-50 mosquitos perched on the outside of the tent waiting for us to open it up.

The site is nice, but the road to access it was terrible. I had a smaller 16’ trailer and barely got to the site and damaged the trailer on the way out. Suggest it be listed as tents only.

Site 2 is a great site, roomy with lots of shade, dirt around the fire pit area with a small area with grass perfect for tents. Great swimming with sand beach. Located far from the other sites so lots of privacy. Getting in there is some overhanging trees that need to be trimmed away. So dont have to tall of an rv.

This campsite was beautiful!! Very spacious, secluded, and right on East Lake! There’s only 3 sites and spaced out around East Lake. Sites 2 and 3 were a bit difficult to find, and it would help a lot if there were signs on 94 for these sites. The best way to find these sites is if you’re heading West on 94 turn right on 452 (I used Google maps to find the roads) then turn right again on the second trail road, where you will see a small sign that says East 2 and 3. There’s also a private property on the south side of the lake, be respectful and do not drive through their property. Overall this campground was so worth it. I caught my first large mouth bass on the shore. It’s just so serene and beautiful. As far as amenities, there’s outhouses for each of the sites. I was scared to use them because of the big spider webs I saw inside (I’m scared of spiders lol). I can’t wait to go back to this place <3 I love the U.P!

Beautiful remote spot. Make sure to take a good look at the map before driving out. Lots of trails in that area, and most cell service drops.