Gooseneck Lake Campsites

Gooseneck Lake's three dispersed campsites sit in the rustic forest environment of the Hiawatha National Forest, a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting. The 123-acre lake itself is extremely busy, with private land and cottages surrounding most of its shores, so pontoon boats, jet skis, water skiers and occasional fishing boats can be seen and heard on the water. Visitors can enjoy swimming, berry picking and fishing. The lake offers a good fishery of walleye, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, sunfish and northern pike; a license is required for fishing in Michigan waters. An improved public boat access is located near site 1. The best swimming is at sites 3 and 4: site 4 has a very shallow beach area, and site 3 has good conditions although high banks block the view of the shoreline from the site. Site 1 does not have good swimming conditions. Site 1 is set back in a wooded area and, although small at 40 by 30 feet, it is very nice; road access is rough and it suits a single family, with trailers not recommended. Site 3 is an excellent camping area at the top of a small sandy bank, an open area 100 by 70 feet, with good access and room for two families and trailers. Site 4, on the south side of the lake, is 70 by 45 feet and accommodates one family; the access road is firm but very narrow with sharp turns and washboard roots, and trailers are not recommended because of the very limited turning space. There is no drinking water. Primitive toilets are available at sites 1 and 3, the one at site 1 shared with the public using the boat launch. Sites 1 and 4 hold up to eight people each, and site 3 holds up to 16. Horse, bike and hiking trails are within minutes of the campsites. 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.