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This gorgeous 21 acre lake is nestled down among paper birch, aspen and oak and features one campsite high upon a hill overlooking the lake. A carry-in boat launch is intended to prevent over fishing its excellent brook trout fishery, which is maintained by annual stocking. This campsite is small with a very tight turning radius and is suitable for only one family with a tent or small trailer. Swimming is considered marginal with a thin layer of sand covering a mucky bottom.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | Reservations through Columbus Day. No services/no reservations/no fees after that time Columbus Day through May 15. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | Beginning May, 2022
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| Reservations: | Reserve Bear Lake and view an interactive map at https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273341 |
| Fees: | Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
| Permit Info: | Camping at Bear Lake is by reservation only. Walk ins are not allowed. These sites may be reserved for up to 14 days. Reservations are made on our national recreation reservation system. To check availability of the campsites or to make a reservation, call 877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov . |
| Open Season: | May 15 - Columbus Day |
| Closest Towns: | Cooks |
| Water: | None |
General Information
Directions: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.
Activities
Campground Camping
There is one primitive campsite located on Bear Lake. This site is situated in a large, grassy opening on the south end of the lake and is suitable for one family with tents or a small trailer. This site is actually on spur road 2696A which is fairly straight but quite narrow, so caution is advised.
Lake and Pond Fishing
This gorgeous 21 acre lake is nestled down among paper birch, aspen and oak. A carry-in boat launch is intended to prevent over fishing its excellent brook trout fishery, which is maintained by annual stocking.
| Fish Species | Brook, rainbow |
Boating - Non-Motorized
Access to Bear Lake is by carry-in only. A stairway is provided for this activity and also a boat dock.
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
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Swimming
The swimming on Bear Lake is marginal with a thin layer of sand covering a mucky bottom. Be cautious when swimming because these areas have not been checked for possible hazards. Please remember that you swim at your own risk. Lifeguards are not present. Children should be accompanied in the water by an adult at all times.