Recreation

Great Lakeshores, Great Lighthouses, Great Islands, Great Snow!
When you first enter the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, you will experience a forest with abundant wildlife, miles of rivers and streams, and dozens of waterfalls.
The Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula touches the scenic shorelines and beaches of three Great Lakes, and is home to six historic Michigan lighthouses.
There are also Great Lakes islands, including Grand Island and Round Island. Other attractions in the Hiawatha National Forest include historical structures, archaeological sites, and prehistoric Native American artifacts that are a window to our past and are being preserved for our future. (Read more about Hiawatha National Forest attractions in the Upper Peninsula)
Plan Your Trip to the Hiawatha National Forest
Get started by exploring one of the activities above. Can't find what you're looking for? Use the drop-down on the right to find an area within each Ranger District.
Know Before You Go
Recreation Conditions Report
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Au Train Lake Campground | Open | Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Bass Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Bay Furnace Campground | Open | Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Bay View Campground | Open | Opens May 22. Closes October 15. |
Bear Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Bermuda Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Brevoort Lake Campground | Open | Opens May 20. Closes October 15. |
Camp 7 Lake Campground | Open | Pier is closed until further notice due to high water and pending repairs. Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Camp Cook Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Carp River Campground | Open | Opens May 20. Closes October 10. |
Carr Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Channel Marker Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Chicago Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Clear Lake Campsite | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Colwell Lake Campground | Open | Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Cookson Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 15. |
Corner Lake Campground | Open | Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Council Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 15. |
Driftwood Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Duck Lake Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
East Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Ewing Point Campsite | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 15. |
Flowing Well Campground | Open | Reservations required. |
Gamefence Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Gooseneck Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Grand Island National Recreation Area | None | Campsites/campgrounds open Friday before Memorial Day and require reservations. |
Hardwood Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Haymeadow Creek Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Hemlock Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Hovey Lake Campsites | Open | Not maintained Columbus Day through May 15. |
Indian River Campground | Open | Reservations required. |
Ironjaw Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Island Lake Campground | Open | Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Jackpine Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Juniper Flats Group Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Lake Michigan Campground | Open | Opens May 20. Closes October 15. |
Lake Nineteen Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Leg Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Little Bass Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Little Bay De Noc Campground | Open | Reservations. Opens May 15. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 15. |
Little Duck Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Little Dune 1 Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations reqquired. |
Little Dune 2 Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Loon Call Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Lyman Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
McKeever Cabin | Open | |
Minerva Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Monocle Lake Campground | Open | Opens May 25. Closes September 30. |
Mowe Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Murray Bay Group Campsite on Grand Island | Closed | Reservations required. |
Petes Lake Campground | Open | Pier is inaccessible due to high water. Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Point Iroquois Lighthouse | Temporarily Closed | Point Iroquois Lighthouse will be closed Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 due to staffing shortages. We apologize to our guests who were hoping to explore the museums and tower. However, visitors are still welcome to enjoy the beautiful grounds and boardwalk. The Museum, bookstore and tower are closed for the season. The restroom facilities are also closed. |
Soldier Lake Campground | Open | Opens May 25. Closes September 30. |
Steuben Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Swan Lake Campsites | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Three Lakes Campground | Open | Opens May 15. Closes October 31. |
Toms Lake Cabin | Open | Reservations Required. |
Triangle Lake Campsite | Closed | Reservations through Columbus Day. Not maintained after Columbus Day. |
Widewaters Campground | Open | Reservations. Opens May 13. Closes Columbus Day. Not maintained Columbus Day through May 13. |
Spotlights
Clear Lake Education Center

Clear Lake Education Center near Shingleton, Michigan, is a place where everyone (all abilities, ages and backgrounds) can visit to connect with their natural world through integrated educational and recreational programs.
Visit http://www.clearlakeinfo.org for more information about what the Education Center has to offer. You will also find information about rentals, school groups, and how you can get involved as a steward.
Public Days - Take a Tour
Throughout the year, the Clear Lake Education and Stewards Group host Public Days where everyone is invited to take a tour of the Education Center and Clear Lake and have fun trying some of the recreation programs that are available. Visit their website for upcoming dates.
The camp is located near Shingleton, Michigan in the middle of the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula.
Christmas/Grand Island West Channel Range Light
Take a self-guided tour of our Lighthouses via the Hiawatha's OnCell App!
During the hey-day of water transportation on Lake Superior, mariners used a of "range lights," to guide them on a safe course through dangerous shallows of the island's west channel.
Located near Christmas, Michigan, off Highway M-28, visitors are welcome to view the range lights.
Christmas/Grand Island West Channel
Click the image to view the Christmas/Grand Island West Channel Range Lights photo album.
Grand Island National Recreation Area

Bring the family, friends or yourself and check out Grand Island National Recreation Area!
Grand Island is located in Lake Superior, about one-half mile from the mainland community of Munising, Michigan. Munising is about 43 miles from Marquette and 55 miles from Manistique.
Grand Island is the perfect place to spend a day or even just a few hours biking, exploring, and appreciating nature. Please be aware that, in keeping with agency interim direction, the non-motorized trails (e.g. all bike trails) are not open to eBikes. The island is an exciting and secluded destination that offers:
- Breathtaking overlooks
- Pristine sandy beaches
- Fascinating cultural sites
- Deep hardwoods
- Inland lakes
Online maps are available: Grand Island Recreation Area Map.
How to Reach Grand Island:
Visitors can reach the island via passenger ferry or private watercraft.
The ferry departs from Grand Island Landing on the mainland, located on M-28 about 2.5 miles west of the Munising's blinking light. Look for the Grand Island National Recreation Area signs.
Some campsites are conveniently located for kayakers.
History of Grand Island:
If you're interested in the island's history, check out the Grand Island 25th Anniversary Page (archived).