Colwell Lake Campground

Hiawatha National Forest

Colwell Lake Campground is situated on Colwell Lake in the center of Michigan's Hiawatha National Forest. Guests of all ages can enjoy nature and the outdoors in this picturesque setting.

The campground has much to offer in terms of recreation, such as swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking, and can accommodate families, individuals, small groups, RV and tent campers with several amenities.

The campground consists of many individual family sites, as well as a group site that can hold 24 people and two tent-only sites along the lake shore. Sites are equipped with campfire rings, lantern posts and tent pads, with vault toilets and drinking water located throughout the facility.

A picnic area sits adjacent to the sandy swimming beach. Pedestal grills and tables for individual families or small groups are provided.

Boaters will find a boat ramp and launching pier near the campground entrance. There is adequate space for parking and a trailer turn-around.

Need to Know

• No lifeguards present at swim beach; children must be accompanied by an adult at all times

• Two pets per site

• No switching sites upon arrival

• Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground. 

• Reserved Sites will be held until checkout time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of the second day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests. 

• Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.

• Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

• Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

• Click here for more information on the Hiawatha National ForestHiawatha 

Natural Features

The campground is situated on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, on the eastern shore of the 145-acre Colwell Lake. The area is forested with a variety of deciduous and conifer trees, and some campsites overlook the water.

Nearby Attractions

Big Island, Fish and Straits lakes are all within 25 miles of the campground.

Recreation

With an excellent swimming beach, boat access and an accessible fishing pier, Colwell Lake has plenty to offer families and anglers.

Largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, pumpkinseed sunfish, perch and bluegill are all available in the lake. The facility also provides a leisurely 2 mile hiking and snowshoeing trail.

Contact Information

Default

P.O. Box 171 Munising MI 49862

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Manistique, Michigan, drive north 25 miles on State Route 94 to Forest Road 2246. Turn right (east) and drive 0.5 miles to the campground road.

Available Campsites

• Site 003, Loop COLW, Type Standard Electric
• Site 010, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 021, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 034, Loop COLWELL LAKE, Type Walk To
• Site 016, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 030, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 007, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site GP, Loop GRP, Type Group Standard Nonelectric
• Site 006, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 005, Loop COLW, Type Standard Electric
• Site FS1ENN2, Loop COLW, Type Standard Electric
• Site 027, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 008, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site FS1NNN19, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 009, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 033, Loop COLWELL LAKE, Type Walk To
• Site 031, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 015, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 002, Loop COLW, Type Standard Electric
• Site FS1NNN18, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 019, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 013, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 024, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 020, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 028, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 017, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 029, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 032, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 004, Loop COLW, Type Standard Electric
• Site 025, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 023, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site FS1ENN3, Loop COLW, Type Standard Electric
• Site 018, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 022, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 014, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site FS1ENN1, Loop COLW, Type Standard Electric
• Site 012, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 001, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 026, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric
• Site 011, Loop COLW, Type Standard Nonelectric

Photo Gallery