About Carr Lake Campsite
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 campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Carr Lake offers fisheries for largemouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike and the occasional brook or brown trout. Carr Creek, located upstream and downstream from Carr Lake, offers a good fishery for brook and brown trout. Access to Carr Lake is by carry-in boat only and a boat slide has been constructed for small watercraft. Conditions for swimming are considered poor quality. Facilities There is a primative toilet available at this campsite. There is NO drinking water available. Lake Name: Carr Lake Number of Sites: 1 Maximum Number of People Per Site: 16 Toilets: Yes Boat Access: Slide Lake Size (acres): 16 Natural Features The Carr Lake campsite offers privacy and seclusion, situated on the small 16-acre Carr Lake. This site is fairly roomy (70 ft. by 40 ft.), grassy and suitable for 2 families. There is limited parking available at this site. Contact Info For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information. Nearby Attractions There are 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. Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are availablefive miles Northeast on County Road 437 in the Thunder Lake Area.
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 8.7 miles to FR 2217. Turn left (northwest) on FR 2217 and drive 2.5 miles to the road to Carr Lake. Turn right (north) and drive 0.25 mile to the campsite.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
- 🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- 🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- 🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
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 Carr Lake Campsite
Heading to Carr Lake Campsite? 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 Carr Lake Campsite?
No central reservation system listed for Carr Lake Campsite. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273356) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Carr Lake Campsite?
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 8.7 miles to FR 2217. Turn left (northwest) on FR 2217 and drive 2.5 miles to the road to Carr Lake. Turn right (north) and drive 0.25 mile to the campsite.
How do I contact Carr Lake Campsite?
You can reach the park at phone: 906-474-6442 OR 906-387-2512.
References & Official Resources
