Swan Lake Campsites
There are many campsites on the Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest. Many are located on inland lakes and are in a rustic forest environment with few to no amenities and no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience. All of these sites are nestled in hardwood trees and pines. All of them are on small inland lakes, which offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities.
There are three primitive toilets available, but NO drinking water.
- Primitive toilets are located at sites 1, 2 and between 3 and 4.
- If you have site 3 Reserved do not block access road to site 2. Please and thank you.
Lake Name: Swan Lake
Number of Sites: 4
Max Number of People Per Site: Site 1 (8), Site 2-4 (16)
Toilets: Yes
Boat Access: Back-In At site 1
Lake Size (acres): 169
Number of Horses Allowed: Site 1 (2), Site 2 (2), Site 3 (4), Site 4 (6)
Need to Know
- Pack-In, Pack-out policy
- There is a 14-day stay limit.
- No drinking water provided.
- Campsite must be occupied the first night.
Campsite cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours.
Horse camping: All straw, hay, feed and manure must be raked up and hauled home.
Horses must be properly tethered in designated areas
- You are welcome to collect firewood from the area surrounding your campsite. Just remember that any firewood that you collect must be DEAD AND DOWN
- Click here for more information on the Hiawatha National Forest
- 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.
Natural Features
Swan Lake is the most popular lake in the designated campsite program, so getting a permit to camp here can be quite competitive. All four campsites are located on the non-motorized Pine Marten Run Trail and horse camping is allowed.
- Site 1 is located on a small hill overlooking the west shore of the lake and is isolated from the other three campsites on the lake. This site is 60 ft x 30 ft, and is suitable for one family. Trailers are NOT recommended unless they are set up in the parking area at the base of the knoll. The public boat launch to the lake is located near this site, so campers may have boaters accessing the lake.
- Site 2 is on the southwest side of the lake and is 65 ft x 50 ft. This site is level and suitable for two families and small trailers. Turn-around space is very limited.
- Site 3 is a nice level area, 65 ft x 35 ft, that can accomodate two families and trailers.
- Site 4 is 80 ft x 70 ft and suitable for two families.
Sites 3 and 4 are adjacent to one another and can be reserved together to accomodate larger groups.
Nearby Attractions
All sites on Swan Lake have access to the Pine Marten Run trail system.
There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals.
Recreation
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters.
All campsites on Swan Lake have excellent swimming areas.
Swan Lake offers a good fishery for large and smallmouth bass, bluegills and pumpkinseeds. There is a public boat launch to Steuben Lake located near Site 1.
Contact Information
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RAPID RIVER/MANISTIQUE RANGER DISTRICT 8181 US HWY 2 Rapid River MI 49878
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 906-474-6442 OR 906-387-2512
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From the Intersection of US-2 and Forest Highway 13 (about 14 miles east of Rapid River): drive north 19 miles on Highway 13 to CR 440.
- Turn right (east) and drive 2.7 miles to FR 2258.
- Turn left (north) on 2258 and drive 0.25 mile to FR 2725.
- To reach sites 2-4: Turn left (east) onto FR 2725. Drive about 0.75 mile on FR 2725 to reach the sites.
- To reach site 1: Drive about 1.3 miles north on FR 2258 to FR 2013. Turn right (east) on FR 2013 and drive about 0.7 mile to the site.
Available Campsites
- Site 001, Loop SWAN LAKE CAMPSITE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop SWAN LAKE CAMPSITE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop SWAN LAKE CAMPSITE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop SWAN LAKE CAMPSITE, Type Standard Nonelectric
