Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Bobcat Lake Campground
Located in Gogebic County just 3 miles southeast of Marenisco, Mi., on the Bessemer Ranger District in the southern half of the Ottawa National Forest. Bobcat Lake campground features one loop with 11 campsites. Campsites are bordered by vegetation providing privacy between sites. These drive in sites offer a tent pad, wood table, fire ring, lantern post and gravel parking spur. Two accessible vault toilets are located in the campground and water is provided by a centrally located hand pump in the loop. A sandy beach and day use area, complete with vault toilets, tables, grills and changing house is located 1/2 mile east of the campground. Also adjacent to the campground is a boat ramp which provides access to a variety of game fish.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | FS recreation staff will be plowing the boat launch area if roads to the site are plowed open. Reduced services after 10/10/2023 but visitors can use during the fall hunting seasons or until the snow closes access roads. Gates get closed as soon as snow start to accumulate. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | 24 hours – self pay |
| Area Amenities: | Accessible, Boat ramp, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water, Parking |
| Fees: | $13 a night for camping. |
| Open Season: | May 18 - October 9 |
| Usage: | Light |
| Best Season: | June-September |
| Busiest Season: | July-August |
| Restrictions: | Fees shown are for the summer recreation period when full services are provided. During the early spring and late fall when no services are provided the fees at some areas are not charged. Camping in a developed recreation site is allowed for a period not longer than 14 days, except as otherwise posted. After this time, you must move to another campground or dispersed site for at least 24 hours. Campers must occupy the site the first night. Eight people and 2 motorized vehicles are allowed per campsite with a maximum of one RV or camper trailer and two tents per camping site or three tents per camping site. |
| Closest Towns: | Marenisco, Mi., is 3 miles to the northwest. Larger towns include Ironwood, Mi., 30 miles to the west and Watersmeet, Mi., is 29 miles to the east. |
| Water: | Drinking Water |
| Restroom: | 2 vault toilets in campground and 2 in day use area. |
| Passes: | Golden Age/Interagency Senior and Access Passes are accepted |
| Operated By: | U.S. Forest Service |
| Information Center: | The day use area and campground are managed by the Ottawa National Forest. For more information or questions please contact the Bessemer Ranger District at 906-932-1330. |
General Information
Directions:From Bessemer, Mi., travel east on US 2 approximately 19 miles, turn right onto Fair Avenue and travel approximately 1 mile to M 64, turn left onto M 64 and travel approximately ¼ mile to FR 8500, turn right onto FR 8500 and travel approximately 2 miles to the campground.
From Watersmeet, Mi., travel west on US 2 approximately 24 miles, turn left onto M 64 and travel approximately 2 miles to FR 8500, turn left onto FR 8500 and travel approximately 2 miles to the campground.
Accessibility:
Accessible table and fire ring in site #2. There are two accessible vault toilets located in the campground.
Activities
Campground Camping
Located in Gogebic County just 3 miles southeast of Marenisco, Mi., on the Bessemer Ranger District in the Southern half of the Ottawa National Forest. Bobcat Lake campground features a one loop with 12 campsites. All sites have excellent privacy from each other. These drive in sites offer a tent pad, wood table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Two outdoor toilets are located in the loop while water is provided by hand pump centrally located in the loop. Next to the campsite is a sandy beach and day use area, complete with bathroom facilities and changing house. Also adjacent to the campground is boat ramp, which provides access to a variety of game fish.
General Info:
Seasonal Information
The campground is scheduled to open with full services the Friday before Memorial Day. This date is subject to change, please contact the Bessemer Ranger District at 906-932-1330 for additional information.
| No. of Sites | 11 |
| Reservation Info | No reservations |
| Fire Information | Yes in fire rings |
| No. of Accessible sites | 1 |
| Sleeping Shelter | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Fees: | During Open season the fee is $13 a night. During early spring and late fall when services are not provided fees are not charged. |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Lake and Pond Fishing
This medium size lake is perfect for small lake fishing. It provides a good variety of game fish and is easily accessible. Fishing can be enjoyed from a boat, canoe, or from shore.
| Fish Species | Northern Pike, Bass, Crappie and Bluegill |
| Fishing Mode | Boat, Canoe or Bank |
| Special Designations | Boat Ramp |
| Fishing Platform | No |
| Cleaning Station | No |
| Accessible Platform | No |
| Water Temperature | Mixed Cold/warm |
| Water/Flow Level | 15 Feet |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
|---|
Picnicking
This day use picnic area provides an excellent opportunity for getting outdoors and enjoying quality time with your family or friends. It is located 1/2 mile east of the campground off of FR 8500. The picnic area offers a sandy beach, 2 vault toilets, a changing house, drinking water, accessible picnic tables and grills.
| Reservation Info | None |
| Fire Information | Outdoor grills and fire rings |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Boating - Motorized
This medium size lake provides excellent fishing opportunities. It is easily accessible for small boats with a boat landing located adjacent to the campground.
| Launch Ramps | Yes, Concrete Base, no charge to launch boat |
| Trailer Parking | Yes |
| Class of rapids | None |
| Motor Type | N/A |
| Fuel availability | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Boating - Non-Motorized
This medium size lake provides the canoeist with enough water and shoreline to fill the needs. There is also a good variety of fish in this lake.
| Trailer Parking | Yes |
| Launch Ramps | No |
| Type of Craft | Canoe/Kayak. |
| Fuel availability | No |
| Marina/Mooring | No |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
|---|
Swimming
The sandy beach at Bobcat lake is the perfect location to spend time swimming in this shallow lake that provides good water temperature for swimming.
| Clothing Requirements | Bathing Suit Required. No Lifeguard On Duty |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Amenities
| Camping trailer: | 11 sites |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | Accessible table at each campsite |
| Tent camping: | 11 sites |
| Parking: | Located at boat landing and day use area |
| Toilets: | 2 Accessible vault toilets |
| Fee charged for some activities: | Camping $13 a night |
| Accessible: | Accessible vault toilet (near site 9 and 2) 1 campsite with accessible table and fire ring (site 2) |
| Boat ramp: | Yes located next to campground |
| Drinking water: | Hand pump near site #3 and in day use area |
Related Information
Location
