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HIAWATHA FOREST LAKES
POINTS
OF
INTEREST
Indian River Canoe Trail. Shallow and wide, this much-used wild and scenic river flows to Indian Lake through hardwoods, pines, and marshlands rich in wildlife ...
more
Pine Marten Run Hiking and Riding Trail. 26 miles of trails, in loops of 4 to 7 miles, wind around 11 small lakes and the Indian River. Dispersed campsites and Adirondack shelters for overnights ...
more
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Region: Pictured Rocks/Munising/Au Train
HIAWATHA FOREST LAKES
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Between Munising, Manistique, and Rapid River is a low-lying area of over a hundred lakes and numerous streams. Most of it is part of the Hiawatha National Forest, but there are many private cottages and fishing resorts around the lakes. The 40-mile Bay de Noc-Grand Island Riding and Hiking Trail, alongside the Whitefish River, follows a canoe route that was one of the Upper Peninsula's most significant for Native Americans.
Hunting, fishing, boating, snowmobiling, four-wheelers on some places in summer — the area appeals to all sorts of active recreation. It's a real Upper Peninsula hub for snowmobiles. "You can ride forever," one resort owner pointed out. Valley Spur's outstanding cross-country ski trails south of Munising aren't far away, either. The ungroomed McKeever Hills Ski Trails are in this area.
Many National Forest campgrounds and developed beaches, boat launches, and picnic areas are here beyond the ones described on this site. The Pictured Rocks/National Forest Visitor Center (906-387-3700) in Munising has maps and handouts for those facilities and for many hiking and cross-country ski trail systems. So do other Hiawatha National Forest offices, including the ones in nearby Rapid River and Munising.
Another attraction National Forest offices can provide details about is the BIG ISLAND LAKE WILDERNESS CANOEING AREA. There's no road access to these 23 small lakes, from 5 to 149 acres, which are linked by waterways or by marked portage trails. Motors are banned, though motor noise from nearby lakes in this developed cottage area can sometimes be heard. At Big Island canoeists can camp in designated spaces or choose their own sites. Abundant wildlife includes eagles and many loons. Canoe livery service is provided by Hiawatha Resort on Forest Highway 13, phone (906) 573-2933. Canoe and kayak rentals and multi-day trips can be arranged through Northland Outfitters in Germfask. Call (906) 586-6684. Complete outfitting (tent, gear, etc.) is available. Big Island is east of Forest Highway 13 and northwest of Steuben.
Back to Pictured Rocks/Munising/Au Train
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HIAWATHA FOREST LAKES
RESTAURANTS,
LODGINGS
& CAMPGROUNDS
These are our choices, not ads.
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HIAWATHA FOREST LAKES
RESTAURANTS
See also: Munising, Shingleton, Chatham.
CAMEL RIDER'S RESTAURANT
(906) 573-2319
This picturesque spot enjoys a long reputation for good food, in a gorgeous setting overlooking Deep Lake, part of an all-sports chain of lakes in the Hiawatha National Forest. Except for snowmobile season, it's open for dinner only. The menu includes lots of fish (fresh whitefish, lake trout, perch, and walleye, when available) and even some vegetarian stir-fries and kebobs in addition to specialties like one-pound pork chops, marinated and stuffed, and steak for two. Entrees are mostly from $13 to $18. Dinners include soup, salad, potato, and a bread loaf. No smoking. On snowmobile trail.
5906 N. Camel Rider's Road. On CR 440 about 3-4 miles east of Forest Hwy. 13. About 22 miles south of Munising and 24 miles north of Nahma Junction on U.S. 2. Well signed. From Memorial Day through Labor Day open Monday through Saturday 4 to 9 p.m., Sunday 4 to 8. May close Mondays after Labor Day. Call for fall hours. Reopens December 26 through the end of March: open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Closed from April to Mem. Day. Handicap accessible. Family-friendly. Full bar.
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HIAWATHA FOREST LAKES
LODGINGS
Several rustic national forest campgrounds are on lakes, usually with beaches and fishing, and on the Indian River Canoe Trail south of Munising and AuTrain. The most popular ones may fill up. There's nearly always space at Island Lake and Widewaters.
LAKE COUNTRY CAMPING
The Pictured Rocks/National Forest Visitor Center (906-387-3700) has maps and handouts on the six lakeside campgrounds in this area. South of M-94 east-west roads through this area twist and turn around many lakes.
Campgrounds are arranged according to easy access from the major north-south roads, Forest Highway 13, and between Shingleton and Manistique M-94.
See also: Au Train, Munising. Also Manistique and Thompson in the Manistique region of this web site, and Rapid River and Stonington in the Escanaba region.
For full write-ups of our recommended lodgings,
click here.
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HIAWATHA FOREST LAKES
CAMPGROUNDS
COLWELL LAKE CAMPGROUND
(906) 341-5666. fs/fed.us/r9/forests/hiswatha/recreation/camping.
Not reservable except for group sites.
This very popular 35-site rustic campground has been reconstructed to be fully accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Five sites ($15/night) have electricity for RV hookups. A scenic 1.6 mile hiking trail with benches goes around 145-acre Colwell Lake. There's a swimming beach (mats make it wheelchair-accessible), boat ramp, and pump station. Fishing is for northern pike, largemouth bass, perch, and panfish. Group sites must be reserved.
About 9 miles south of Shingleton and M-28 via M-94. $15/night (electric). $10-$11 non-electric. Open May 15-Oct. 7. Fully ADA handicap-accessible.
INDIAN RIVER CAMPGROUND
(906) 341-5666; fs/fed.us/r9/forests/hiawatha/recreation/camping. Not reservable.
Proximity to M-94 makes for some road noise at this five-site rustic campground, but the fishing is good, and so is canoe access to the wild and scenic Indian River and canoe trail. There's also a picnic area here. (See above.) (June, 2008)
About 13 miles south of Shingleton on M-94 $12/night. Open from May 15 thru Oct. 7. Handicap access: call.
LITTLE BASS LAKE CAMPGROUND
(906) 341-5666; fs/fed.us/r9/forests/hiawatha/recreation/camping. Not reservable.
On 84-acre Little Bass Lake, this 10-site rustic campground has no swimming area, and as a result, few children and less noise. Lightly used, the campground is enjoyed by people who want to be away from noise, boating activity, and development. There's carry-in boat access only. Fishing is for largemouth bass, pike, perch, crappie, and bluegill.
Take M-94 11 miles south of Shingleton. Turn west on CR 437, then south about 2 1/2 miles on Bass Lake Road to campground. $12/night. Open from May 15 thru Oct. 7. Handicap accessible: call.
DISPERSED CAMPSITES
For people who'd like to feel they're pretty much all alone on a peaceful northwoods lake, with no amenities (that means no toilets or drinking water), the primitive, dispersed campsites on 17 small lakes in the vicinity of Steuben, between Munising and Manistique, are considered choice. Six lakes have only one campsite on them; five have two campsites. Large campers are not suitable because of narrow entrance roads. The Forest Service's info sheet indicates which campgrounds have back-in boat access and which are only carry-in. Though certain lakes get reserved early, there are quite a few sites left by early June, and some will be available on short notice. Handicap accessible: call.
Call the Manistique office for maps, info, and reservations: (906) 341-5666. Lottery is in February; sites are reservable after that.
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