Lyman Lake Campsites

The Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest offer a variety of camping experiences. Many are located on inland lakes in a rustic forest environment — a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience. Lyman Lake has 10 campsites lining its shores, which can make this 67-acre lake very busy. Sites 2, 3, 5, 8 and 9 all had rock work and split rail done to them to bring back the edges of the site. Site 1 is a small wooded area, 35 by 25 feet, with good road access, suitable for one family and a small trailer; access to the lake is steep, but a stairway is provided. Site 2 is a level area measuring 40 by 30 feet, suitable for two families and trailers, with the same steep but stair-served lake access. Site 3 is an open area, 75 by 70 feet, suitable for two families with trailers. Site 4 is 40 by 40 feet and very wooded, able to accommodate two families with trailers, but turn-around space is very limited. Site 5 is a large area measuring 75 by 50 feet with good road access, suitable for three families and trailers. Site 6 is a large area of 75 by 60 feet, but the ground slopes, making it difficult for trailers, and the turning radius is very limited; it suits two families. Site 7 is 45 by 35 feet and on a slope, suitable for one family, with tents recommended. Sites 8 and 9 are wooded and level on a hill overlooking Lyman Lake — 55 by 35 feet and 80 by 40 feet respectively, each suitable for two families and trailers, with limited turn-around space at site 9. Site 10 is in a wooded area, 50 by 30 feet, overlooking the lake; it is isolated from the other campsites, has a separate access road, and is suitable for one family. There is no drinking water available. Primitive toilets can be found at sites 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. Party limits are eight people at sites 1, 7 and 10; 16 at sites 2 through 4, 6, 8 and 9; and 24 at site 5. Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking and fishing; licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Lyman Lake supports a diverse fishery of bluegills, pumpkinseeds, rock bass, largemouth bass and northern pike, and there is a back-in boat access, with parking, located between sites 6 and 7. Swimming conditions vary based on site choice: good swimming areas can be found at sites 3 and 5, sites 4 and 6 have fair swimming areas, and sites 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10 have poor swimming areas. There are a number of horse, bike and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites, and a short distance away visitors can expect to find bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals. Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and a deli are available seven miles northeast on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake area.