Colwell Lake Campground

COLWELL LAKE CAMPGROUND

Part of Hiawatha National Forest

Overview

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (906) 379-5791.

Important Notices

  • 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 

Available Activities

  • SWIMMING SITE - Swimming
  • PICNICKING - Picnicking
  • HIKING - Hiking
  • FISHING - Fishing
  • CAMPING - Camping
  • BOATING - Boating

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.

Contact Information

P.O. Box 171
Munising, MI 49862

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery