Cookson Lake Campsites

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 enjoy swimming and fishing in the 35-acre adjacent lake. Largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and bullhead are among the typical catch. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. 

Fish cribs were placed around the Island in 2023.

A public boat ramp is located adjacent to site 2, which can be used to access Cookson Lake’s fishery of largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and bullhead.

Facilities

The campground offers five primitive campsites for tent and RV camping. Each offers tables and campfire rings. A pit toilet is located near one of the sites, but toilet paper is not provided. 

Drinking water is NOT present at these sites.

There is a primitive toilet present at these sites.

Lake Name: Cookson Lake

Number of Sites: 5

Maximum Number of People: Site 1 (8), Sites 2-5 (16)

Toilets: 1

Boat Access: Back-In

Lake Size (acres): 35

Natural Features

Cookson Lake Campsite offers a primitive place to stay in the thick of Michigan’s wilderness. Beautiful forests surround several lakes in the area, providing ample opportunity to enjoy nature in all its forms.

These campsites is located in a large open field on the shores of Cookson Lake. All of the campsites are surrounded by a mixed stand of aspens and northern hardwoods on the south shore of the lake. This 35 – acre lake boasts two small islands, and a variety of wildflowers abound in the area during warmer months.

Nearby Attractions

Cookson Lake is near the Indian Wild and Scenic River and the Big Island Lake Wilderness Area. 

Groceries, ice, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available 5 miles east on County Road 437 in the Steuben Area.

Contact Info

For local information, please call (906) 387-2512 or call (906) 474-6442 for general information.