Swan Lake Dispersed Campsite

Overview

The campsites on the Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District are located on inland lakes and are in a rustic forest environment with few, if any amenities. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience.

Recreation

Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Some of these campsites offer only one site on these inland lakes allowing for a very peaceful and wilderness-like experience.

Facilities

Swan Lake (52 acres) is the most popular lake in the primitive camping program, so getting a permit to camp can be quite competitive! All four campsites are located on the non-motorized Pine Marten Run Trail and horse camping is allowed. There are three primitive toilets available, but no drinking water. All campsites on Swan Lake have excellent swimming areas. Site #1 is located on a small hill overlooking the west shore of the lake and is isolated from the other three campsites on the lake. This site is 60 ft. by 30 ft. and is suitable for one family. Trailers are not recommended unless they are set up in the parking area at the base of the knoll. A primitive toilet has been provided at this site. The public boat launch to the lake is also located near this site, so campers may have boaters accessing the lake. Site #2 is on the southwest side of the lake and is 65 ft. by 50 ft. This site is level and suitable for two families and small trailers. Turn-around space is very limited. A primitive toilet is located at this site. Sites #3 and #4 are adjacent to one another and can be reserved together to accommodate larger groups. Site #3 is a nice, level area 65 ft. by 35 ft. that can accommodate two families and trailers. Site #4 is 80 ft. by 70 ft. and suitable for two families. There is a primitive toilet that serves both sites #3 and #4 Swan Lake offers a good fishery for large and smallmouth bass, bluegills and pumpkinseeds. Lake Name Number of Sites Maximum number of people per site Toilets Boat Access Lake Size (acres) Swan Lake 4 Site 1 (8) Sites 2-4 (16) Yes Back In 52 Site Number of Horses Allowed Swan Lake sites 1 and 2 2 horses at each site Swan Lake site 3 4 horses Swan Lake site 4 6 horses

Natural Features

All of these sites are nestled in hardwood trees and pines. All of them are on small inland lakes, which offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities. There is one exception; Camp Cook, which is close to the Fishdam River and provides opportunities for good brook trout fishing.

Nearby Attractions

There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals.