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.
Facilities
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)
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.
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.
Recreation Sites
- Standard Nonelectric
- Overnight
Activities
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback Riding
- Swimming
Amenities
- Grills/Fire Ring
- Privacy
- Picnic Tables
- Horse Hitching Post
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.
Getting Here
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.
Need to Know
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
Contact Information
For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information.
