Colwell Lake Campground
Campground · Michigan · 40 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Hiawatha National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 40
- Bookable sites
- 60 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 24
- People per site
- 752 ft
- Elevation
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.
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.
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.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (906) 767-1111.Nearby Attractions
Big Island, Fish and Straits lakes are all within 25 miles of the campground.The facts
- Season: May 13 – October 8 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 40 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 60 ft
- Up to 24 people per site
- Loops: COLW, COLWELL LAKE, GRP
Site types
- 30 Standard Nonelectric
- 7 Standard Electric
- 2 Walk To
- 1 Group Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.
40 campsites at Colwell Lake Campground
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 002 | COLW | Standard Electric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 003 | COLW | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 004 | COLW | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | Boat In | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 005 | COLW | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 006 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 007 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | |
| 009 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 010 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 013 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 014 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 015 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | |
| 016 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 017 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 018 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 019 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 020 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 021 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 022 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 023 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 024 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 025 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Pull Through | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | |
| 026 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 027 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 028 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 029 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | — | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 030 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 031 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 032 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Gravel | Drive In | Lakefront | 60 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| FS1ENN1 | COLW | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| FS1ENN2 | COLW | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| FS1ENN3 | COLW | Standard Electric | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| FS1NNN18 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| FS1NNN19 | COLW | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 033 | COLWELL LAKE | Walk To | Back In | Gravel | Hike In | Lakefront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 034 | COLWELL LAKE | Walk To | Back In | Gravel | Hike In | Lakefront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| GP | GRP | Group Standard Nonelectric | — | Gravel | — | — | 40 ft | 24 | 🐾 |
Getting there
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.
46.22167, -86.43750 · 46°13'18.0"N 86°26'15.0"W
Typical weather
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 2.8 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 2.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 15.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Discount only applies to base rate. Note: A $4.00 per night electrical hookup fee applies to Electric sites.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Colwell Lake Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Colwell Lake Campground?
- Yes, Colwell Lake Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Colwell Lake Campground have?
- 40 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Colwell Lake Campground?
- 60 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Colwell Lake Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Colwell Lake Campground.
- Does Colwell Lake Campground have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at Colwell Lake Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Colwell Lake Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Colwell Lake Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Colwell Lake Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single campsite $22 Walk-in campsite $20 Single campsite with electricity $26 Double campsite, 2 camp units, per night $44 Group Campsite, up to 24 persons $60 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.
Camping near Colwell Lake Campground
- Crooked Lake Campsite 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Steuben Lake Campsites 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Clear Lake Campsite 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- East Lake Campsites 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bass Lake Campsite 3.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Little Bass Lake Campsites 4.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Triangle Lake Campsites 4.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Minerva Lake Campsite 5.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Clear Lake Education Center 2.2 mi · Facility
- Bass Lake Campsites 4.4 mi · Campground
- Indian River Campground 4.9 mi · Campground
- Big Island Lake Wilderness 5.6 mi · Facility
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-01.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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