East Lake Campsites
Hiawatha National Forest — lakeside, fishing
Location: Rapid River, MI, MI
Price: From $8 per night
Rating: 3.8 out of 5 (25 reviews)
Season: May through October
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.There are a number of horse, bike and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Drinking Water, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/east-lake-campsites to be notified when sites open up.
East Lake Campsites offers rustic forest camping on inland lakes with activities including fishing, swimming, and boating. Google reviews average 4.2/5 stars with campers praising the affordable price, clean bathrooms, and family-friendly experience.
Wildlife alert: Common Loon, Ruffed Grouse, White-tailed Deer, Snowshoe Hare, Common Snapping Turtle, and Painted Turtle documented in the area.
Insider tips for East Lake Campsites: Book early—this is a federal campground with only 3 sites and high demand. Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available. From Manistique, take M-94 north 22.5 miles to CR 437, then turn right at the large parking lot.
Skip East Lake Campsites if: You need RV hookups—none are available at this campground.. You prefer year-round camping—seasonal operations limit access to May-October.. You require a large amount of space—only 3 sites available total..
Best time to visit East Lake Campsites: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Steuben Lake Campsites (Rapid River, MI), Bass Lake Campsite (Rapid River, MI), Little Bass Lake Campsites (Rapid River, MI), Crooked Lake Campsite (Rapid River, MI).
Cell Phone Coverage at East Lake Campsites
Cell signal at East Lake Campsites (Rapid River, MI): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
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.There are a number of horse, bike and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with only 3 sites and high demand.
Bring a self-contained RV as there are no hookups available.
From Manistique, take M-94 north 22.5 miles to CR 437, then turn right at the large parking lot.
Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Manistique, MI: drive north on M-94 22.5 miles to the intersection with CR 437. Turn right at the big parking lot opposite CR 437. To get to site 1: take the immediate right on FR 2723, drive 0.7 mi to FR 2650. Turn left (east) on FR 2650 and drive 0.2 mi to site 1. To get to sites 2 and 3: proceed directly through the parking lot on FR 2247 and drive about 1 mile to FR 2247A. Turn right (south) on 2247A and drive less than a mile to the campsites.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Hiawatha National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Hiawatha National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does East Lake Campsites cost per night?+
What season is East Lake Campsites open?+
Does East Lake Campsites have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at East Lake Campsites?+
How do I make reservations at East Lake Campsites?+
What is the cell service like at East Lake Campsites?+
What season is East Lake Campsites open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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