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Marion Lake Campground
Marion Lake Campground, located just 4 miles east of Watersmeet, MI, on the Watersmeet Ranger District, offers tranquility and beauty not often found in other high use campgrounds. Designed to take advantage of their location, lakeside spurs provide grand views of the south and west shores, making each sunset a memorable experience. All sites are spaced with natural vegetation for screening, providing an excellent chance for privacy and solitude. This campground, consisting of three main camping loops with a total of 39 campsites and a well used group camping site, provides drive-in sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes. Each site offers an accessible wood table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Five pairs of vault toilet facilities are spaced throughout the campground, while drinking water is provided at centrally located hand pumps and pressurized faucets in each camping loop. Adjacent to the campground is a sandy beach and day use area. Also adjacent to the campground are two boat landings, which provide access to a variety of game fish.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | The gates on loop 1 and 3 and the group site will close on September 30th. Reduced services beginning September 30, 2024, no water or garbage services will be provided. Visitors can use loop 2 until snow conditions reduce access. Gates get closed as soon as snow starts to accumulate. |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | 24 hours – self pay |
| Area Amenities: |
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| Fees: | $16 a night per campsite, $75 a night for the group campsite, the group campsite must be reserved through the Recreation.gov at 1-888-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov. |
| Open Season: | May 17 - September 30 |
| Usage: | Medium |
| 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: | Watersmeet is 6 miles to the west and Iron River is 28 miles to the east |
| Water: | Drinking Water-Hand pumps near sites 3 & 29 and Pressurized Faucets near sites 11, 18, & 24 |
| Restroom: | 4 sets of vault toilets in the campground near sites 4, 17, 34, and near the group campsite. |
| Passes: | Golden Age/Interagency Senior Pass and Access Passes are accepted |
General Information
Directions:From Watersmeet, Mi., take US 2 east approximately 4 miles, turn left onto FR 3980 and travel approximately 2 miles to FR 3985, turn right onto FR 3985 and travel approximately ¾ mile to the campground.
From Iron River, Mi., take US 2 west approximately 26 miles, turn right onto FR 3980 and travel approximately 2 miles to FR 3985, turn right onto FR 3985 and travel approximately ¾ mile to the campground.
Activities
Campground Camping
Marion Lake Campground, located just 4 miles east of Watersmeet, Mi., on the Watersmeet Ranger District, offers tranquility and beauty not often found in other high use campgrounds. Designed to take advantage of their location, lakeside spurs provide grand views of the south and west shores, making each sunset a memorable experience. All sites are spaced with natural vegetation for screening, providing an excellent chance for privacy and solitude. This campground, consisting of three main camping loops with a total of 39 campsites and a well used group camping site, provides drive-in sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes. Each site offers an accessible wood table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Five pairs of vault toilet facilities are spaced throughout the campground, while drinking water is provided at centrally located hand pumps and pressurized faucets in each camping loop. Adjacent to the campground is a sandy beach and day use area. Also adjacent to the campground are two boat landings, which provide 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 Watersmeet – Iron River Ranger District at 906-358-4551 for additional information.
| No. of Sites | 37 |
| Reservation Info | No Reservations |
| Fire Information | Fire ring in each campsite |
| No. of Accessible sites | 0 |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | January-December |
| Fees: | $16 a night for campsites |
| Reservation info: | No Reservations |
| Best Season: | June-September |
| Hours of Operation: | 24 hours - self pay |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Group Camping
Marion Lake Campground has a Group Camping area for large family gatherings and groups up to 100 people. This site is ideal for those visitors who want to camp with large family's and multi-camping vehicles or tents. To reserve this campsite go to Recreation.gov
| No. of Sites | 1 |
| Reservation Info | Reservations must be made by calling 1-877-444-6777 or going to www.recreation.gov |
| Group Shelter | No |
| Hookups - Electric | No |
| No. of Accessible sites | 1 |
| Sleeping Shelter | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | May-September |
| Fees: | $75 a night |
| Reservation required?: | Y |
| Best Season: | June-September |
| Hours of Operation: | 24 hours |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Lake and Pond Fishing
Marion Lake is a very popular destination for campers, fishermen and outdoorsmen. This 317 acre lake is located on the Watersmeet Ranger District just east of Watersmeet. Marion Lake features two separate boat ramps, one on the east side (east end of campground loop 2) and another on the west side (west of campground loop 1) of the lake.
| Fish Species |
Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, Perch & Panfish |
| Fishing Mode | Boat, Canoe or Bank |
| Special Designations | Two Boat Ramps, 1 on the east side of campground loop 2 and 1 on the west side just west of campground loop 1. No Fee |
| Fishing Platform | No |
| Cleaning Station | No |
| Accessible Platform | No |
| Water Temperature | Cold |
| Water/Flow Level | 40 Feet |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Picnicking
Marion Lake Campground Day Use Area features picnic tables, grills and play area for picnicing enjoyment.
| Reservation Info | None |
| Fire Information | Outdoor grills |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Boating - Motorized
Marion Lake is a very popular destination for campers, fishermen and outdoorsmen. This 317 acre lake is located on the Watersmeet Ranger District just east of Watersmeet. Marion Lake features two separate boat ramps, one on the east side and another on the west side of the lake.
| 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 |
Swimming
Marion Lake's beach provides ample room for swimming and sunbathing.
| Clothing Requirements | Bathing Suit Required. No Lifeguard On Duty |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |