Wagner Lake
The campground opens for the 2026 season on May 15. Normal operating season is May 1 through November 30. Reservations available via Recreation.gov.
Air Quality Alert issued July 14 at 10:34AM EDT by NWS Gaylord MI
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has issued an Air Quality Alert for Wednesday July 15, for elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5). Pollutants are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, though there is potential for Unhealthy levels. The alert is in effect for all of northern Michigan. This includes the following counties, Roscommon, Charlevoix, Missaukee, Wexford, Beaver Island and surrounding islands, Mackinac Island/Bois Blanc Island, Manistee, Emmet, Iosco, Ogemaw, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Eastern Mackinac, Alcona, Western Mackinac, Montmorency, Southeast Chippewa, Otsego, Central Chippewa, Antrim, Western Chippewa, Arenac, Leelanau, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Alpena, Oscoda, Crawford, and Gladwin. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases such as asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes. You can help reduce air pollution by limiting activities, such as outdoor burning, and use of residential wood burning devices. Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan, visit the MiAir site: https://michigan.gov/MiAir For up-to-date air quality data nationally, visit EPA's Air Now site: https://www.airnow.gov For further health information, please see MDHHS' Wildfire Smoke and Your Health site at https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury- prev/environmental-health/your-health-and-wildfire-smoke.
About
Wagner Lake Campground is a small but popular destination in the Huron-Manistee National Forests, featuring 12 campsites arranged on the banks of Wagner Lake. The lake is a shallow, sandy-bottom body of water completely surrounded by National Forest System lands, offering a secluded natural setting. A mixed hardwood forest surrounds the campground, providing shade and privacy. Each campsite comes equipped with a picnic table, campfire ring, lantern post, and paved parking pad. The campground provides vault toilets, potable drinking water from hand pump wells, and garbage collection services. There are no hookups, showers, or dump stations. Recreation centers on the lake itself. A swimming beach provides waterfront access for beach play and wading. Anglers can fish from shore, by boat, or while wading for excellent bass and panfish. Visitors may carry in non-motorized watercraft like canoes and kayaks. A gravel boat ramp provides lake access.
Directions
From Grayling: Travel east on M-72 for 30 miles. Turn right and travel south on M-33 for 7 miles. Turn right and travel west on Wagner Lake Rd for 1 mile. The campground is on the left.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| 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 | $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| sm.fs.hmnf@usda.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (989) 826-3252 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| View on Recreation.gov | |
| USFS Wagner Lake Campground |
Availability
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