Bobcat Lake Campground

Area Status: Open
Picture of Campsite at Bobcat

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. A picnic area complete with vault toilets, tables, grills, and a changing house is located along the shore of Bobcat Lake ½ mile east of the campground. There is a boat ramp adjacent to the campground providing 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:
  • 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
Fees: $13 a night for camping.
Open Season: May 24 - September 3
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. Generators are not permitted during quiet hours (10pm-6am)
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.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

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 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 a 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 day use area, complete with bathroom facilities, drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Also adjacent to the campground is a 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 ½ mile easy of the campground on FR8500. Situated on Bobcat Lake, the picnic area offers picnic tables, drinking water, fire rings, 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.

Trailer Parking Yes
Class of rapids None
Motor Type No Restrictions
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

Bobcat Lake is a great location to spend time swimming in the shallow lake with moderate water temperatures.

Clothing Requirements Bathing Suit Required. No Lifeguard On Duty
Status: Open
Difficulty Level: Easy

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
46.359240

  Longitude : 
-89.672941