Would you like a tenting journey that has lake surroundings and a bit peace and quiet in a forest? Contemplate tenting at Indian Lake State Park in Michigan! You’ll take pleasure in spending time by the lake or exploring the encompassing nationwide and state forest land.
Maintain studying to study what you’ll expertise throughout your Indian Lake State Park tenting journey!

Transient Historical past of Indian Lake State Park
Indian Lake is the fourth-largest inland lake in Michigan’s Higher Peninsula. It’s the divider for the park’s two campgrounds, that are three miles aside from one another. The federal government acquired each lands within the Nineteen Thirties and developed them between then and the mid-Sixties.
In accordance with surveyor data from 1850, Indians lived close to Indian Lake (previously often called M’O’Nistique Lake) in log cabins.
What to Anticipate

Recreation Passport Requirement
You’ll want a recreation passport to camp at Indian Lake State Park. This passport permits you to entry different state parks and recreation areas, in addition to boat launches and parking tons.
Make sure you have it once you arrive or purchase it on the park. Michigan residents renewing license plates by way of the Secretary of State can examine Sure to obtain the passport.
Charges for Amenities
A couple of of the park’s services require a low charge to make use of them. If you happen to camp rustically, you’ll should pay a per-shower charge to make use of the bathe services. RV campers could also be charged for draining sewage tanks on the dump station.
Indian Lake State Park Tenting

Tenting Spots within the Park
Your tenting choices at Indian Lake State Park are primitive, tent, and partial-hookup RV tenting. For RV tenting, you might both again in or pull by way of the websites.
On-line and cellphone reservations can be found, however remember the fact that the country campground websites are first-come, first-served.
South-Trendy Campground
There are 145 pull-through and tent-only websites at this open-area campground to get your Indian Lake State Park tenting journey began. Some websites have 50-amp service, whereas others have 20- and 30-amp electrical companies.
The campground is conveniently positioned close to the swimming seashore, boat ramp, and picnic areas, in addition to seasonal fashionable bathroom and bathe buildings.
West-Semi-Trendy Campground
For rustic tenting at Indian Lake State Park, keep at one of many 72 websites at this wooded campground. Every of them has 20-amp electrical service and restrooms with vault bathrooms.
As a substitute of working water, the campground has hand pumps for water. There’s additionally a small day-use space with a swing set and 4 picnic tables.
Mini Cabins
On the south campground are two ADA-accessible one-bedroom cabins that sleep as much as 4 company. They’ve electrical energy and lighting, and sleeping preparations embody a full-size mattress, cot, and a single higher bunk. They don’t have linens, so that you’ll should pack your individual.
Along with the cabins’ few kitchen facilities, outdoors each is a charcoal grill, fireplace ring, and picnic desk.
Tenting Spots Close to the Park

Peak seasons for reserving campsites could result in a campground promoting out. In case your Indian Lake State Park tenting takes you outdoors the park, e-book these spots close by:
Manistique Lakeshore Campground
The Manistique Lakeshore Campground is barely eight minutes from Indian Lake State Park. Right here you’ve gotten a selection of what sort of tenting expertise you need. RV tenting with pull-through websites and full hookups or rustic tenting? You resolve!
You will not be tenting inside Indian Lake State Park, however you’ll be nearer to many native points of interest. Go to Pictured Rocks Nationwide Lakeshore, lighthouses, wineries, waterfalls, and different sights!
Thunder Cove Manistique Cabin
Within the Hiawatha Nationwide Forest, lower than half an hour from Indian Lake, is the two-bedroom, one-bath Thunder Cove. The cabin has a view of Thunder Lake with a ship launch. You’ll have loads of privateness and facilities like a 50-inch Sensible TV, queen beds, and an out of doors gasoline grill.
When you’re right here, go to Kitch-iti-kipi, the biggest freshwater spring in Michigan, and experience a raft on it. The kaleidoscopic impact of the sand and water on this large spring just isn’t one thing to overlook!
Issues to Do at Indian Lake State Park

Water Actions
- Fishing: An 8,400-acre Indian Lake is one of the best place for fishing. Fish for walleyes, sturgeons, northern pikes, and extra species — however observe the fishing legal guidelines relating to licenses and registrations.
- Swimming: The designated swim space is on the 75-yard sandy seashore close to the South-Trendy Campground. Company who’ve gone tenting at Indian Lake State Park rave concerning the well-maintained seashore and shallow water.
- Boating: Drive a ship or canoe, play paddlesports, or watch these vessels float alongside Indian Lake. Additionally, kayak leases are on a first-come, first-served foundation, so declare yours quickly!
Mountain climbing
On the day-use space, there’s a ¼-mile paved and accessible climbing path that runs alongside Indian Lake. If you happen to’re not strolling or jogging it, experience your bike as you’re taking within the scenic view!
One other path to hike on is the 1.4-mile Dufour Creek Path. Situated within the South-Trendy Campground, the path has bridges that take you over Dufour Creek twice. Apart from strolling it, you may cross-country ski or snowshoe the path, however bear in mind that you simply’re trekking alongside an ungroomed path.
Picnicking
The picnic shelter and the ADA-accessible seashore home are two reservable shelters for feasts and gatherings. Their facilities embody indoor fireplaces, group charcoal grills, water provide, electrical energy, and lake overlooks.
You could reserve one in every of these shelters a yr upfront to your Indian Lake State Park tenting trip.
Day-Use Space
Get pleasure from just a few rounds of volleyball and horseshoes for those who’re not swimming or picnicking within the day-use space. And for quiet, sightseeing moments, the three overlooks on the statement platform are at your service.
Wildlife Close to Indian Lake

Seney Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
The Seney Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is northeast of the park for hen and wildlife watching. Birdwatchers could have a discipline day seeing tons of of species of birds, like swans, loons, bald eagles, and extra.
Different animals you’ll see on or close to the refuge are purple foxes, bears, porcupines, and deer.
Take it Simple at Indian Lake State Park

Reserving an Indian Lake State Park tenting journey is simply the factor for those who’re a nature lover or simply actually love lakes! Make your escape into the peaceable outdoor and funky off within the lake or discover the attractive surroundings of the forest.
Go to our State Park Tenting web page for extra concepts on the place to camp within the USA.