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Island lake (MI)
FSU.S. Forest Service — Mio · Michigan · Huron-Manistee National Forests
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Location | Mio · Michigan · Huron-Manistee National Forests · 44.51000, -84.14167 · Map |
| Sites | 17 public sites counted from the federal listing — 17 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 17 sites Water hookups at 0 of 17 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 17 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 17 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Longest reported site fits 70 ft Sites that fit at least — 25 ft: 17 sites · 30 ft: 17 sites · 35 ft: 12 sites · 40 ft: 12 sites |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 17 sites, as reported |
| Phone | 989-826-3252 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-06-30.
From the official listing
Overview Island Lake Campground is a popular campground and picnic area featuring a swimming beach marked with buoys on the 58-acre Island Lake. Located on the southern edge of the Mio Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forest, this site is a short drive North on M-33 from Rose City, MI. This site is gated in the off-season. Island Lake Brochure and Map.
Recreation
Water Activities: Island Lake is a popular location for swimming, fishing, and non-motorized boating. The water tempurate is cold with a maximum depth of 25 feet. Anglers can expect to catch sunfish, perch, and bass. Visitors can carry-in kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized watercraft a short distance from the day use parking area to day use beach. Hiking: There is a 1.25 mile loop trail that departs from the campground. A spur trail off the main loop connects Island Lake Campground with Loon Lake Day Use Area. OHV Riding: Nearby M-33 trailhead provides OHV riders with access to the Mack Lake Motorized Trail System and the Bull Gap Hill Climb Area . Additionally, a large majority of Forest Service roads are open to OHV use. Please refer to the motor vehicle use map (MVUM) to understand which roads are open to OHV use.
Facilities The campground provides handpump wells for drinking water, several vault toilets, and trash collection services. The embedded day use area also provides visitors with picnic tables and grills. Campsites at Island Lake have paved parking pads, picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts.
Natural Features Island Lake is a small, sheltered lake. It's namesake Island is visable from the day use area. Several of the campsites offer views of Island Lake through the trees. The forest around the campground is mixed hardwoods with many wildlife and waterfowl viewing opportunites.
Island Lake and the surrounding landscape are the result of glacial retreat and showcases some of Michigan's geologic history. While retreating from Michigan, glaciers left behind a pattern of broad ridges, called moraines. A chaotic arragnement of deep circular depressions and winding ridges, the Island Lake campground and Island Lake nature trail takes visitors through part of the West Branch Morraine.
Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (989) 826-3252. Charges & Cancellations All reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.
Directions, from the listing
From West Branch:
Travel east on M-55 for 5 miles. Turn left and travel north on M-33 for 16 miles. Turn left and travel west on Loon Lake Loop Rd. for 1 mile. The site is located on the left.
Nearest federal campgrounds
3 mi straight-line · Mio MichiganFSU.S. Forest ServiceChimney Loop Campground
3 mi straight-line · Mio MichiganFSU.S. Forest ServiceMack Lake ORV Campground
6 mi straight-line · Mio MichiganFSU.S. Forest ServiceMeadows ORV Campground
9 mi straight-line · Mio MichiganFSU.S. Forest ServiceAu Sable Loop Campground
10 mi straight-line · Mio Michigan
Trip Card — Island lake (MI)
Mio · Michigan · Huron-Manistee National Forests
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Mio · Michigan · Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Up to 70 ft |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 17 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10214347 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.