Shelley Lake Recreation Area

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens May 1 and operates through October 31. The site is not gated or maintained during winter, with no plowed access roads or toilet facilities available in the off-season.

About

Shelley Lake Recreation Area offers a quiet, family-style camping experience on a 15-acre lake completely surrounded by National Forest land. The campground is the only access point to the lake, providing an intimate setting for campers seeking solitude and fishing opportunities. Sites are nestled in a mature oak and maple forest, with one site accessed via a charming footbridge over the creek. The lake is relatively shallow, reaching only 15 feet at its deepest point, making it ideal for fishing and non-motorized boating. The campground is particularly popular during fishing season, offering opportunities for both open-water and ice fishing. The rustic setting features vault toilets but no potable water on-site, so visitors should bring their own supply or be prepared to treat water from natural sources. The primitive access road and light usage level contribute to the area's peaceful, undeveloped character.

Directions

From White Cloud, travel north on M-37 for 10 miles. Turn right and travel east on FR 5450 for 0.5 miles. Follow the primitive road to the site.

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