Overview Monocle Lake Campground offers a a relaxing place to fish, swim and hike along the shores of scenic Monocle Lake just off Lake Superior. It is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the northeastern corner of the Hiawatha National Forest. The campground is centrally located among many recreational opportunit…
Overview Monocle Lake Campground offers a a relaxing place to fish, swim and hike along the shores of scenic Monocle Lake just off Lake Superior. It is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the northeastern corner of the Hiawatha National Forest. The campground is centrally located among many recreational opportunities in the Sault Ste. Marie area, including the Whitefish Bay National Scenic Byway and Tahquamenon Falls.Recreation Monocle Lake is populated with walleye, smallmouth bass, pike and perch. Two man-made reefs lie just off the eastern shore next to the campground, where anglers typically have good luck. Swimming and boating are popular activities in the area. Visitors also enjoy hiking the 14.5-mile Monocle Lake Trail. Two miles of the trail have interpretive displays, and the first 1100 feet of the trail are along an elevated, accessible boardwalk. Additional trails are found in the surrounding area.Facilities The campground offers heavily shaded single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Hookups are not available. A day-use picnic area, adjacent to a fairly large parking area at the campground, provides easy access to a swimming beach. The picnic area is equipped with tables, grills and drinking water, as well as accessible vault toilets. A paved boat launch with a parking lot big enough to accommodate vehicles and trailers provides easy access to the beautiful all sports lake.Natural Features The campground surrounds the south end of 172-acre Monocle Lake, and is less than two miles from the historic Point Iroquois Lighthouse. It is nestled in a mixed hardwood forest of aspen, maple, birch and pine trees, providing scenic lake and forest views from anywhere in the campground. Private residences also surround the inland lake. Contact Info For facility specific informa
Photos
A photo of facility MONOCLE LAKE
Restrooms
— Anthony GarciaMONOCLE LAKE4 — MONOCLE LAKEA photo of facility MONOCLE LAKE with No Amenities Shown — Anthony GarciaMONOCLE LAKE2 — MONOCLE LAKEToilets — Pierre-Luc ChanutMONOCLE LAKE1 — MONOCLE LAKEMONOCLE LAKE3 — MONOCLE LAKEA photo of facility MONOCLE LAKE
Restroom — Anthony GarciaStairs to lake — Pierre-Luc ChanutMONOCLE LAKE6 — MONOCLE LAKEMONOCLE LAKE5 — MONOCLE LAKEMONOCLE LAKE — MONOCLE LAKE
How to Get There
12600 E Lakeshore Drive Brimley Michigan 49715 From Bay Mills, travel west on County Road 42 (Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway) for approximately half a mile, then turn south on Forest Road 3699 to the campground entrance.
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
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Dry bags for electronics
Phone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to MONOCLE LAKE
Heading to MONOCLE LAKE? A few things to know before you go:
Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for MONOCLE LAKE?
No central reservation system listed for MONOCLE LAKE. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234617) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How many campsites are at MONOCLE LAKE?
MONOCLE LAKE has 42 campsites. Site amenities (hookups, vehicle limits, ADA access) vary — see the individual campsite pages for details.
How do I get to MONOCLE LAKE?
12600 E Lakeshore Drive Brimley Michigan 49715 From Bay Mills, travel west on County Road 42 (Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway) for approximately half a mile, then turn south on Forest Road 3699 to the campground entrance.
