Little Bass Lake Campground in Manistique, MI
Outdoor Recreation and Amenities
| ADDRESS |
|---|
| Unnamed Road Manistique, MI 46.163002, -86.449856 Elevation: 741′ |
| MANAGEMENT |
| Public – Forest Service This is a PAY campground. ($12 or less) The price is $12/night 906-428-5800 |
Previous Reviews:
Little Bass Lake Campground: Little Bass Lake, which is an 84 acre lake, offers camping, fishing, and boating in a serene wooded setting.
Swimming: Lake offers swimming. Lifeguards are not present. Children should be accompanied in the water by an adult at all times.
Directions: From Manistique drive north 22 miles on M-94 to County Road 437. turn left (west) on CR 437 and drive 1.8 miles to FR 2213. Turn left (south) on FR 2213 and drive 1.5 miles to the campground road.
About This Location
Little Bass Lake Campground in Manistique, MI, is a quiet, uncrowded spot—just right if you want to soak up nature without a crowd breathing down your neck. The campground has roomy, wooded sites with basics like drinking water and toilets, so you can keep things simple and peaceful. Whether you’re into fishing, boating, or just zoning out by the lake, it’s a solid pick for a laid-back getaway.
Tucked inside Hiawatha National Forest, the campground’s easy to get to by car. It works for tents, RVs, and trailers. You’ll need a reservation, and it’s $8 per night, so it won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for an easy escape or a longer stay, Little Bass Lake lets you settle into a calm outdoor scene.
Key Takeways
- Large, wooded sites with basic amenities
- Road access and reservations required
- Lake’s good for fishing, boating, and swimming
Little Bass Lake Campground In Manistique, MI
Little Bass Lake Campground sits in the Hiawatha National Forest, near Manistique in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s a quiet spot—no constant buzz of people or traffic.
The campground has about 12 roomy, wooded sites, spaced out nicely. You get privacy, loads of trees, and just enough amenities: drinking water and toilets. It’s intentionally kept simple, so the peaceful vibe sticks around.
Camping is $8 per night per site. You can use federal recreation passes like America the Beautiful. Since you have to reserve a spot, it never feels crowded, and that’s something I really appreciate.
Little Bass Lake covers about 84 acres—pretty ideal for fishing, swimming, or boating. The area also holds cultural significance for Native Americans who traveled and lived here.
If you’re into Upper Peninsula tourism, this campground lets you connect with nature without the usual crowds. You get the forests and water, but it’s all pretty low-key and close to Manistique.
Things To Do
There’s plenty to do around Little Bass Lake Campground. The 84-acre lake is a nice spot for fishing. You’ll find largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, northern pike, and even walleye swimming around. Anglers of all stripes can find something to chase.
Boating and canoeing are big here. Bring your own canoe or small boat, and you can drift around the lake’s calm waters. The sandy beach is a good place for a swim or just hanging out by the water.
Nearby trails in Hiawatha National Forest are great for hiking and biking. They wind through the woods, and you might spot some wildlife if you’re lucky. If you want more options, Indian Lake and Colwell Lake are close for more outdoor exploring.
Indian Lake State Park and Palms Book State Park are nearby too. You can check out their beaches or picnic areas if you want a change of scenery. For a bigger adventure, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior is worth the drive—views there are something else.
If you need a break from the outdoors, Manistique has restaurants and some local spots to check out. All in all, Little Bass Lake Campground makes a good base for fishing, boating, hiking, and poking around the local parks.
Directions
If you’re starting in Manistique, MI, head north on M-94 for about 22 miles.
Turn left (west) onto County Road 437 and keep going for 1.8 miles. After that, hang another left onto Forest Road 2213. The campground’s down this road.
Coming from Indian River or Munising? You’ll need to connect to M-94 near Manistique first. From Munising, drive south, cross near the Sturgeon River, then take County Road 442 toward Manistique.
The Manistique River runs near these roads, and County Road 442 offers some nice views before you hit M-94.
Use GPS or a map and aim for Manistique, then north on M-94 to County Road 437. The route’s pretty straightforward and well-marked.
Check road conditions before you head out—County Road 442 and 437 are rural and can get rough, especially if the weather’s acting up.
Indian Lake is west of the route and works as a handy landmark. The drive is easy if you follow the main roads and keep an eye out for signs to Little Bass Lake.
Vehicle Access
Getting to Little Bass Lake Campground is simple: drive north from Manistique on M-94, then head west on County Road 437.
Once you’re on County Road 437, turn west, then take Forest Road 2213 south. That’ll drop you right at the campground entrance. The roads are fine for cars, trucks, and RVs.
Campsites handle vehicles and trailers up to about 26 feet. There’s enough space for motorhomes and trailers, though you might have to pay attention when parking—some sites aren’t perfectly level.
Bringing a boat? There’s a ramp near the site for easy launching, so fishing and boating are hassle-free.
You’ll find full hookups—water and electricity—at each RV site, so staying powered up isn’t a problem. You can park close to your camp setup.
Quick recap:
- Head north on M-94 from Manistique
- Go west on County Road 437
- Take Forest Road 2213 south to the campground
- Sites fit vehicles up to 26 ft
- Boat ramp available for lake access
It’s a decent setup for campers with vehicles and boats.
RV And Camping Trailer Information
Little Bass Lake Campground has a handful of campsites for RVs and trailers—five in total. Each fits RVs or trailers between 20 and 26 feet, so it’s best for folks with medium-sized rigs.
The RV sites are drive-through, making parking less of a headache. Each spot has full electric hookups, plus sewer and water connections. You’ll also get a picnic table, firepit, and chairs—nothing fancy, but it covers the basics.
The place feels pretty modern, though the restrooms are vault toilets. Drinking water’s available, so you won’t have to haul it in. They even have wifi, which is a nice surprise for a small campground.
It’s $8 a night per site. Definitely reserve ahead, especially between mid-May and mid-October. Most sites are level, but if you’ve got a bigger RV or trailer, you might have to take a little extra care when parking.
All in all, it’s a small, quiet campground—just enough space and hookups for most small to mid-sized camping vehicles.
Paid Or Permit Sites
At Little Bass Lake Campground in Manistique, MI, you’ll need to pay a fee to reserve a campsite. It’s usually $8 per night per site. We take Federal Recreation Passes like the Golden or America the Beautiful pass, which is handy if you’ve got one.
You’ll have to reserve every site ahead of time, no matter when you come. Stays can last up to 14 days, but you’ve got to show up that first night, and don’t leave your spot empty for more than a day.
Most sites fit RVs and trailers between 20 and 24 feet. Some folks like to find dispersed sites for more privacy, but you’ll still need a permit for those.
Nearby, Indian Lake Travel Resort and Camp Seven Lake Campground both charge fees and require reservations. They’re family-friendly and have similar stuff on offer.
From what visitors say, Woodstar Beach Campground and Widewaters Campground stand out for their clean sites and friendly service. They also ask for permits or fees, which seems to be the norm around here.
If you’re planning a trip, it’s smart to book early. These paid sites fill up fast from mid-May through mid-October. You don’t want to get caught scrambling for a spot at the last minute.
| AMENITIES: | ACTIVITIES: |
|---|---|
| Drinking Water Restrooms |
RV Camping Tent Camping Fishing Swimming |
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