Chicago Lake Campsites
Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 15 and operates through Columbus Day with reservation-only camping at $8 per night. After Columbus Day through May 15, the area is accessible with no services, no reservations, and no fees.
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 10:18PM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Michigan... Sturgeon River near Nahma Junction affecting Delta County. .Flows in rivers will increase quickly and reach critical levels. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring. This approaches the flood of record. * WHERE...Sturgeon River near Nahma Junction. * WHEN...Until further notice. * IMPACTS...At 10.0 feet, Water floods low lying areas along the river. This may include...parts of the Flowing Well Campground downstream of gauge site and the tenmile rapids canoe launch upstream of the gauge site. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 9:45 PM EDT Thursday the stage was 11.2 feet. - Bankfull stage is 8.0 feet. - Recent Activity...The maximum river stage in the 24 hours ending at 9:45 PM EDT Thursday was 11.2 feet. - Forecast...No forecast is available for this location. - Flood stage is 10.0 feet. - Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 11.1 feet on 04/26/1996. - www.weather.gov/safety/flood
FR3113 washout and flooding on FR3139 (Dick Rd)
Forest Road 3113 on the St. Ignace Ranger District is washed out between FR 3319 and 3323 and the road is impassable. Forest staff put road signs in the area on April 14, 2026. FR3139 (Dick Rd), also on the St. Ignace Ranger District, is flooded. As weather continues to be rainy, other areas of…
Temporary Area Closure for Big Pines Picnic Area
The Big Pines Picnic Area will be temporarily closed due to timber harvest. Activities in the area may include logging trucks and other equipment. For your safety, please stay alert while in the vicinity and choose another location for recreation. Other locations for accessing the beach for…
Forest Supervisor's Orders
As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line below or at any office of the Hiawatha National Forest. Please take time to read and…
Restricting Public Entry to Stonington Quarry
Persons with a valid permit; Federal, State, or Local members of rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of official duties; Forest Service employees conducting surveys or monitoring and as approved by the Forest Supervisor.Protection of objects and areas that are of significant…
Haymeadow Trail and Bridge Closed
The Haymeadow Creek Hiking Trail Bridge is closed until it can be repaired or replaced. -- Located on the hiking loop near Haymeadow Creek Dispersed Campsites, the bridge failed an inspection due to significant rot. We will update this notice as repairs are implemented. (4/2018),(4/2021).The…
Flood Watch issued April 16 at 3:47PM EDT until April 18 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Marquette MI
Snowmelt will continue through Friday with increasingly warm temperatures and humidity. Thunderstorms are possible Friday night which could bring over a half in of rainfall, adding to the flood risk. * WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt continues to be possible. * WHERE...Portions of central Upper and western Upper Michigan, including the following areas, in central Upper Michigan, Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Iron, Luce, Marquette, Northern Schoolcraft and Southern Schoolcraft. In western Upper Michigan, Keweenaw, Northern Houghton and Southern Houghton. * WHEN...Through Saturday morning. * IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - www.weather.gov/safety/flood
About
Chicago Lake Campsites offers a serene, rustic camping experience on the shores of 188-acre Chicago Lake in the Hiawatha National Forest. The campground features four dispersed campsites clustered around the north end of the lake, each nestled among hardwood trees and pines. Site 1 is small and heavily wooded, best suited for tent camping and those seeking privacy. Site 2 is a larger open area that can accommodate two families and trailers, with a primitive toilet on-site. Site 3 is surrounded by tall pines near the lakeshore, suitable for two families though trailer access is difficult due to limited turning space. Site 4 is a semi-open area that accommodates two families and trailers, sharing a primitive toilet with site 3. Chicago Lake is known for its excellent fishing, with abundant northern pike and bluegills, plus smaller populations of largemouth bass and perch. An improved gravel boat launch adjacent to site 4 provides easy lake access for motorized and non-motorized boats. Swimming conditions vary by site, with the best conditions at sites 3 and 4 and fair conditions at site 2. Visitors can also enjoy berry picking in the surrounding forest. This is a pack-in, pack-out facility with no drinking water available. Campers must bring adequate water supplies. The campground operates on a reservation-only basis during the main season, with walk-ins not permitted. Dead and down firewood collection is allowed from the area surrounding your campsite. The remote location offers a wonderfully peaceful setting with opportunities to see and hear loons even on this busy lake.
Directions
From the intersection of US-2 and Forest Highway 13 (about 14 miles east of Rapid River or 22 miles west of Manistique), drive north 8.4 miles on Highway 13 to CR 442. Turn right (east) and drive 5 miles to County Road N-3. Turn left (north) on N-3 and drive 0.1 mile to FR 2422, turning left (northwest) and continuing about 0.25 mile to the campsites.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $8 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 32ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 32ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (906) 474-6442 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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