Nichols Lake South Campground
Campground · Michigan · 28 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Manistee National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 28
- Bookable sites
- 65 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 8
- People per site
- 843 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Located on the south side of Nichols Lake, the campground and surrounding area offer excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming, picnicking, hiking, camping, or just relaxing.Recreation
Fishing and boating are popular activities at Nichols Lake. There is a paved boat launch at the campground. This site is one of the locations on the National Forest's for Kids Fishing Day Events for Michigan's Free Fishing Day in early June. Ice fishing is also popular in the winter. Swimming areas are marked with buoys, but there are no lifeguards. The North Country National Scenic Trail goes through the site near the boat ramp, providing good hiking opportunities.Facilities
Nichols Lake has 29 family sites on paved spurs. Drinking water, flush toilets, and showers are provided. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. A wood ramp and stairs lead down to the lake from the campground. A short path along the lake provides access for fishing.Natural Features
At 160 acres, Nichols Lake offers shore, pier, and boat fishing. Typical fish species available include bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, black crappie, and northern pike. There is a swimming beach and accessible fishing pier available.Those wishing to enjoy the day at Nichols Lake will find a day use area located on the north side of the lake.
Nearby Attractions
The North Country Trail covers 4,600 miles from Crown Point, NY, to Lake Sakakawea State Park, ND. The segment that includes Nichols Lake has beautiful sections for both the advanced and weekend hikers. The nearest towns are Woodland, Bitely, and Brohman, about two miles to the south.Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.The facts
- Season: May 13 – September 5 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 28 bookable sites
- Vehicles up to 65 ft
- Up to 8 people per site
- Loops: NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND
Site types
- 28 Standard Nonelectric
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Picnic tables
- Grills
- Shade
- Pets allowed
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits.
28 campsites at Nichols Lake South Campground
Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Water | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 02 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 03 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 04 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 05 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 06 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 07 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 08 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 09 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 10 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 11 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 12 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 13 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 14 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 15 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 16 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 17 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 18 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 19 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 20 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | 65 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 21 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 22 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | 46 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 23 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 50 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 24 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | 49 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 25 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | Lakefront | 42 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 26 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | 42 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 27 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
| 28 | NICHOLS LAKE SOUTH CAMPGROUND | Standard Nonelectric | Back In | Paved | — | — | 8 | 🐾 |
Getting there
From Baldwin, take M-37 south for 13.5 miles to 11 Mile Road. Turn right. Go west approximately 4.5 miles to the campground entrance. From White Cloud, take M-37 north for 13 miles to 11 Mile Road. Turn west for 4.5 miles to the campground.
43.72306, -85.90250 · 43°43'23.0"N 85°54'9.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 82°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 31 | 33 | 44 | 56 | 68 | 78 | 82 | 80 | 73 | 60 | 46 | 36 |
| Low °F | 14 | 14 | 21 | 31 | 42 | 52 | 56 | 55 | 48 | 37 | 28 | 21 |
| Precip in | 2.3 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 4.3 | 2.9 | 2.6 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 13.7 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 Nichols Lake South Campground
- Can you reserve a site at Nichols Lake South Campground?
- Yes, Nichols Lake South Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Nichols Lake South Campground have?
- 28 sites.
- What is the maximum RV length at Nichols Lake South Campground?
- 65 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Nichols Lake South Campground?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Nichols Lake South Campground.
- Are campfires allowed at Nichols Lake South Campground?
- Campfires are allowed at Nichols Lake South Campground. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Nichols Lake South Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Nichols Lake South Campground's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Single Site: $30.00
- Per Day: $7.00
- Extra Vehicle: $10.00
Restrictions:
- Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
- Occupancy and Use - Developed Recreation Areas, Dispersed Areas, Being Publicly Nude, Marine Prohibitions, Parking and Sanitation; R904-14-03
Camping near Nichols Lake South Campground
- Pere Marquette National Scenic River Watercraft Permits (Huron Manistee) 9.7 mi · Permit · we watch it
- Gleasons Landing 10.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bowman Bridge 11.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Condon Lakes West 2.4 mi · Campground
- Highbank Lake Campground 3.3 mi · Campground
- Benton Lake Campground 3.8 mi · Campground
- Shelley Lake Campground 4.6 mi · Campground
- Indian Lake Campground 5.4 mi · Campground
- Minnie Pond Campground 6.4 mi · Campground
- Claybanks Campground 10.3 mi · Campground
- Bowman Lake Area 11.6 mi · Facility
- Bowman Lake Campground 12.1 mi · Campground
Contact
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-26.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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