About Clear 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. Clear Lake boasts a great fishery of yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass. Occasionally, splake may be caught as well. There is a back-in boat launch located adjacent to the campsite. It is used as public access point, so campers can expect users to cross their site to access this launch. Facilities There is NO drinking water. There are NO primitive toilets. Lake Name: Clear Lake Number of Sites: 1 Maximum Number of People: 8 Toilets: No Boat Access: Back-In Lake Size (acres): 109 Natural Features Clear Lake hosts a single campsite in an open area, located on the eastern side of the lake. This site measures 50 ft x 30 ft and can accomodate 2 families and trailers. There is a boat launch located adjacent to this site that is used by the public. Campers can expect public use of this boat access. 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.
How to Get There
From M-28 in Shingleton: Head South on M-94 for 11 miles to Clear Lake Road (Forest Road 2246). Turn left and follow for 3 miles to FR 2246J (on the left). From US HWY 2 in Manistique: Head North on M-94 for 24 miles to Clear Lake Road (Forest Road 2246). Turn left and follow for 3 miles to FR 2246J (on the left).
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 Clear Lake Campsite
Heading to Clear 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 Clear Lake Campsite?
No central reservation system listed for Clear Lake Campsite. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273363) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Clear Lake Campsite?
From M-28 in Shingleton: Head South on M-94 for 11 miles to Clear Lake Road (Forest Road 2246). Turn left and follow for 3 miles to FR 2246J (on the left). From US HWY 2 in Manistique: Head North on M-94 for 24 miles to Clear Lake Road (Forest Road 2246). Turn left and follow for 3 miles to FR 2246J (on the left).
How do I contact Clear Lake Campsite?
You can reach the park at phone: 906-474-6442 OR 906-387-2512.
References & Official Resources
