Bear Lake Campsite

The Bear Lake campsite is situated on the gorgeous 21-acre Bear Lake in the Hiawatha National Forest, high upon a hill overlooking the water and surrounded by spectacular paper birch, aspen and oak. The single site holds up to eight people. There is no drinking water and there are no toilets. Swimming is marginal, with a thin layer of sand covering a mucky bottom. Berry picking and fishing are the other draws, and a license is required for fishing in Michigan waters. Boat access is carry-in only, at the day use area on the south end of the lake; this is intended to prevent the overfishing of an excellent brook trout fishery, which is maintained by annual stocking. There is also a boat launch on the east side of the lake down Forest Road 2633. Horse, bike and hiking trails are within minutes of the site, and nearby visitors can expect to find bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak and canoe rentals. Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and a deli are available five miles northeast on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake area.