Ironjaw Lake Campsite

Summary

Hiawatha National Forest offers many rustic campsites on its Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts. Visitors can enjoy swimming, berry picking, fishing (require licenses) and other outdoor recreation activities. Campers can also take advantage of the non-motorized Pine Marten Run Trail for hiking, mountain biking and horse back riding. Ironjaw Lake is one of the better fishing lakes in the area, with plenty of amenities nearby.

Overview

There are many campsites on the Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest. Many are located on inland lakes and are in a rustic forest environment with few to no amenities and no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience. 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.

Recreation

Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. 

Our management efforts seek to provide for quiet, peaceful recreation opportunities in a semi-primiitve setting. The campsite is located on the non-motorized Pine Marten Run Trail, which is open to hiking, mountain biking, and horse back riding.

The swimming area at this site is in poor condition.

Horse camping is allowed at Ironjaw Lake.

Ironjaw Lake is one of the better fishing lakes in the area. Crappie fishing is excellent in the spring. The lake contains northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill and bullheads. 

• Boat access is dow a steep hill but the surface is firm. Turn-around and back-in space at the base of the hill is very limited. 4 wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended. Parking is restricted to a small area located at the top of the hill.

Facilities

There is NO drinking water available.

There is a primitive toilet located across the road from the parking area. 

Lake Name: Ironjaw Lake

Number of Sites: 1

Maximum Number of People Per Site: 8

Maximum Number of Horses Allowed: 2

Toilets: Yes

Boat Access: Back-In

Lake Size (acres): 62

Natural Features

Ironjaw Lake (62 acres) is located in the heart of the Ironjaw Semi-Primitive Area, which is managed for both motorized and non-motorized uses. 

The campsite at Ironjaw is a pull through site that features a tent pad situated on a hill overlooking Lake Nineteen. The site is suitable for only one family with a small trailer. There is limitied turnaround space.

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.

Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, boat rentals, ice, MDNR licenses, deli, and restaurants are available approximately six miles west on Forest Highway 13.

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