Monocle Lake

Campground · Michigan · 42 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Hiawatha National Forest (NF) · Open Access

42
Bookable sites
80 ft
Max rig length
up to 8
People per site
642 ft
Elevation
MONOCLE LAKE
Photo: MONOCLE LAKE · Recreation.gov

Overview

Monocle Lake Campground offers a a relaxing place to fish, swim and hike along the shores of scenic Monocle Lake just off Lake Superior. It is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the northeastern corner of the Hiawatha National Forest.

The campground is centrally located among many recreational opportunities in the Sault Ste. Marie area, including the Whitefish Bay National Scenic Byway and Tahquamenon Falls.

Recreation

Monocle Lake is populated with walleye, smallmouth bass, pike and perch. Two man-made reefs lie just off the eastern shore next to the campground, where anglers typically have good luck.

Swimming and boating are popular activities in the area. Visitors also enjoy hiking the 14.5-mile Monocle Lake Trail. Two miles of the trail have interpretive displays, and the first 1100 feet of the trail are along an elevated, accessible boardwalk. Additional trails are found in the surrounding area.

Facilities

The campground offers heavily shaded single-family sites for tent and RV camping. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Hookups are not available.

A day-use picnic area, adjacent to a fairly large parking area at the campground, provides easy access to a swimming beach. The picnic area is equipped with tables, grills and drinking water, as well as accessible vault toilets. A paved boat launch with a parking lot big enough to accommodate vehicles and trailers provides easy access to the beautiful all sports lake.

Natural Features

The campground surrounds the south end of 172-acre Monocle Lake, and is less than two miles from the historic Point Iroquois Lighthouse. It is nestled in a mixed hardwood forest of aspen, maple, birch and pine trees, providing scenic lake and forest views from anywhere in the campground. Private residences also surround the inland lake.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (906) 767-1111.

Nearby Attractions

The nearest town is Bay Mills, which is about 6 miles from Monocle Lake. The United States-Canada border, at Sault Ste. Marie, is about 25 miles from the campground.

Tahquamenon Falls, a series of beautifully brown-colored waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River, is located about 35 miles from Monocle Lake.

Charges & Cancellations

Please cancel 7 days in advance if you need to cancel your reservation. Reservation sites cannot be traded for walk-in sites.

The facts

  • 42 bookable sites
  • Vehicles up to 80 ft
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: MONOCLE LAKE

Site types

  • 41 Standard Nonelectric
  • 1 Tent Only Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

42 campsites at Monocle Lake

Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
01MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel75 ft8 🐾
02MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel50 ft8 🐾
03MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel50 ft8 🐾
04MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel30 ft8 🐾
05MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel50 ft8 🐾
06MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
07MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel30 ft8 🐾
08MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
09MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
10MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel50 ft8 🐾
11MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel30 ft8 🐾
12MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel50 ft8 🐾
13MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
14MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
15MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
16MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
17MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
18MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
19MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
20MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
21MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel45 ft8 🐾
22MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel50 ft8 🐾
23MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel50 ft8 🐾
24MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel80 ft8 🐾
25MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
26MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
27MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
28MONOCLE LAKETent Only NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
29MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
30MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
31MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
32MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
33MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
34MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved50 ft8 🐾
35MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft8 🐾
36MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved30 ft8 🐾
37MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved50 ft8 🐾
38MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved40 ft8 🐾
39MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved50 ft8 🐾
40MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricBack InGravel80 ft8 🐾
41MONOCLE LAKEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughGravel30 ft8 🐾
42MONOCLE LAKEStandard Nonelectric—Gravel40 ft8 🐾

Getting there

12600 E Lakeshore Drive Brimley Michigan 49715

From Bay Mills, travel west on County Road 42 (Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway) for approximately half a mile, then turn south on Forest Road 3699 to the campground entrance.

46.47250, -84.63917 · 46°28'21.0"N 84°38'21.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 76°F in Jul, down to 23°F in Jan.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F232535476272767568534029
Low °F4413273949545447362715
Precip in2.51.71.92.72.63.03.13.13.84.63.63.0

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

Fees and stay limits

Check-in time is anytime after 2 pm. Early arrivals will be charged for the previous day.

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 Monocle Lake

Can you reserve a site at Monocle Lake?
Yes, Monocle Lake is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Monocle Lake have?
42 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Monocle Lake?
80 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Monocle Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Monocle Lake.
Are campfires allowed at Monocle Lake?
Campfires are allowed at Monocle Lake. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Monocle Lake

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-03.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.