Kneff Lake Campground
Huron-Manistee National Forests
Kneff Lake Campground is a popular camping area on the far west side of the Mio Ranger District near Grayling. The campground has 27 sites and an onsite host during the season. Kneff Lake is a 20-acre shared private, state, and federal ownership. Kneff Lake day use area provides accessible beach access for all who wish to boat, fish, swim, or enjoy beach play.
The campground provides handpump wells for drinking water, several vault toilets, and trash collection services. The embedded day use area also provides visitors with picnic tables and grills. Campsites at Kneff Lake have picnic tables, campfire rings, and lantern posts. Sites 1-18 have crushed stone parking pads and sites 19-27 have asphalt parking pads.
Notifications and Alerts
Kneff Lake day use area closing for the season on September 3rd, 2024!
Through funding allocated by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), the single largest investment in public lands in United States history, Kneff Lake day use area will be receiving several improvements including water system upgrades, a new tiered boulder wall to expand the main beach area, and a kayak boat roller system on the existing west staircase.
The day use area remains open for Labor Day weekend!
Campsites will remain open for the season, but visitors can expect an increase in construction traffic and noise.
- The water at our facility has been shutoff for the winter season. Please bring all the water you’ll need for your visit, including drinking water.
Need to Know
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 online or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. Applicable Orders:
- Motorized Vehicle Use of Roads, Trails and Off-road Areas; R904-14-02
- Occupancy and Use - Developed Recreation Areas, Dispersed Areas, Being Publicly Nude, Marine Prohibitions, Parking and Sanitation; R904-14-03
Forest quiet hours apply.
Some sites are available on a first-come, first serve basis.
You must occupy your site within 24 hours of the start of your reservation. Contact the Forest Service to request a late arrival or your site may be forfeited.
Do not tie or tack anything to standing trees, including but not limited to pets, laundry lines, or garbage bags.
You may use downed wood for firewood. Keep fires within the fire ring. Do not leave hot campfires unattended. Make sure your ashes are cool to the touch before you leave.
Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information
Fireworks and use of fireworks are not permitted.
ORVs may only be operated on roads and trails signed as open for their use. ORVs may not be used within campgrounds.
This site is gated during the off season.
Natural Features
Kneff Lake Campground is centered around the 20-acre Kneff Lake. The forests in and around the campground are largely oak and pine. This small portion of federal land is surrounded by state and private lands.
Recreation
- Water Activities: Kneff Lake day use area beach is accessible to all by way of an access ramp. The swim area has bouys marking the permiter. Non-motorized boats such as canoes, kayaks, and rafts are welcome to be carried in for use on Kneff Lake.
- Fishing: Kneff lake is It is a designated trout lake and is stocked with rainbow trout in the spring. Anglers can also hope to catch perch by boating, fishing from shore, and wading. The maximum water depth is 40 ft.
Changes & Cancellations
All reservation changes, cancellations, and refunds are managed through Recreation.gov.
Contact Information
Mailing
Mio Ranger Station 107 McKinley Road Mio MI 48647
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 989-826-3252
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From Grayling:
- Travel east on M-72 for 6.5 miles.
- Turn right and travel south on Stephan Bridge Rd. for 1 mile.
- Turn left and travel east on FR 4003 and drive about 1 mile.
Available Campsites
- Site 20, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 24, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 9, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 3, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 6, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 14, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 18, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 5, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 15, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 10, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 7, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 22, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 12, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 1, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 23, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 19, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 21, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 16, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 11, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 27, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 13, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 17, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 2, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 4, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 25, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 8, Loop Lower, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 26, Loop Upper, Type Standard Nonelectric
