Big Lake Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Opens April 1 and operates through December 1, snow conditions permitting. Reservations required and available up to 11 months in advance.

About

Big Lake Campground is the northernmost rustic campground in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest, located less than nine miles from the Michigan border. Situated on the northwest corner of 835-acre Big Lake, the campground offers 70 reservable sites (numbered 1801-1870) set in a hardwood and pine forest on rolling hills. The lake provides excellent fishing opportunities for walleyes, muskies, and smallmouth bass, with most of the shoreline remaining undeveloped. This traditional rustic-style campground features wider site spacing than modern campgrounds and includes four vault toilet buildings, three hand pumps for drinking water, and separate trash and recycling dumpsters. A boat launch is conveniently located within the campground. The facility provides a quiet, out-of-the-way camping experience that offers privacy and solitude while still being accessible to nearby towns. As with all rustic campgrounds in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest, Big Lake Campground has minimal facilities and no electricity. Reservations are required and can be made from the same day of arrival up to 11 months in advance. Firewood is available for purchase at the campground.

Directions

From Manitowish Waters, head north on County Highway W for approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto County Highway P and continue for about 2 miles to reach the campground entrance.

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