About Leg Lake Campsites
Overview 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 with no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience.Recreation Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Leg Lake has good fishing for northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappies and bluegills. Some yellow perch and bullheads may be caught. There is an unimproved boat access located adjacent to site 2. It is intended for day use only. Only small boats and trailers are recommended at this access. Facilities There is NO drinking water available at these sites. There is a primitive toilet located at site 1. Lake Name: Leg Lake Number of Sites: 2 Max Number of People Per Site: Site 1 (24), Site 2 (8) Toilets: Yes at site 1 Boat Access: Back-In at site 2 Lake Size (acres): 40 Natural Features There are two campsites located on Leg Lake. These sites lie about 0.25 miles west of County Road 437 between Forest Roads 2697 and 2438. Each of these has specific features as detailed below: Site 1 is located on the west side of the lake. It is a very large semi-open area that would be suitable for group camping or family gatherings with trailers. Site 2 is a small, wooded area located on the east side of the lake. This site is suitable for one family. Nearby Attractions There is a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals. Gasoline, groceries, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available approximately two miles south on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake area. Con
How to Get There
From Cooks (about 12 miles west of Manistique or 24 miles east of Rapid River on US-2): drive north 4.4 miles on County Road 442 to CR 437. Turn left (north) on CR 437 and drive 13.3 miles to FR 2697. Turn left (west) and drive to site 2 or To get to site 1: turn left (west) off CR 437 at about 13.2 miles on FR 2438 and drive 0.7 mile to reach site 1.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
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Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
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 Leg Lake Campsites
Heading to Leg Lake Campsites? 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 Leg Lake Campsites?
No central reservation system listed for Leg Lake Campsites. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273355) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Leg Lake Campsites?
From Cooks (about 12 miles west of Manistique or 24 miles east of Rapid River on US-2): drive north 4.4 miles on County Road 442 to CR 437. Turn left (north) on CR 437 and drive 13.3 miles to FR 2697. Turn left (west) and drive to site 2 or To get to site 1: turn left (west) off CR 437 at about 13.2 miles on FR 2438 and drive 0.7 mile to reach site 1.
How do I contact Leg Lake Campsites?
You can reach the park at phone: 906-474-6442 OR 906-387-2512.
References & Official Resources
