Cookson Lake Campsites
Campground · Michigan · 5 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Hiawatha National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 5
- Bookable sites
- up to 16
- People per site
- 762 ft
- Elevation
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.The facts
- Season: May 15 – Columbus Day — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 5 bookable sites
- Up to 16 people per site
- Loops: COOKSON LAKE CAMPSITE
Site types
- 5 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, shade.
5 campsites at Cookson Lake Campsites
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | COOKSON LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Lakefront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 02 | COOKSON LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Lakefront | — | 16 | 🐾 |
| 03 | COOKSON LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | 16 | 🐾 |
| 04 | COOKSON LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | 16 | 🐾 |
| 05 | COOKSON LAKE CAMPSITE | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | — | — | 16 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Munising, Michigan: Drive east on M-28 towards Wetmore.
- Turn right (south) on Forest Highway 13 at Wetmore and drive 11.9 miles to FR 2258.
- Turn left (southeast) and drive about 2.5 miles to FR 2257 (just before the bridge over the Indian River).
- Turn left (northeast) on FR 2257 and drive 1.8 miles across the access road.
46.19560, -86.56151 · 46°11'44.1"N 86°33'41.5"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, 11 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Cookson Lake Campsites
- Can you reserve a site at Cookson Lake Campsites?
- Yes, Cookson Lake Campsites is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Cookson Lake Campsites have?
- 5 sites.
- Are pets allowed at Cookson Lake Campsites?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Cookson Lake Campsites.
- Are campfires allowed at Cookson Lake Campsites?
- Campfires are allowed at Cookson Lake Campsites. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Cookson Lake Campsites also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Cookson Lake Campsites's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Camping fee is $8 per night per site. Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.
Camping near Cookson Lake Campsites
- Ironjaw Lake Campsite 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Lake Nineteen Campsite 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Ewing Point Campsite 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- McKeever Cabin 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Swan Lake Campsites 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Tom's Lake Cabin 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Pete’s Lake Campground 2.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Swan Lake Campsites 2.1 mi · Campground
- Lake Nineteen Campsites 2.6 mi · Campground
- Ironjaw Lake Campsites 2.6 mi · Campground
- Big Island Lake Wilderness 2.9 mi · Facility
- McKeever Cabin 2.9 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 906-387-2512
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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