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Map showing campground location near Bitely, Michigan
Camper submitted image from Benton Lake CampgroundView 19 Photos
CampingMap showing campground location near Bitely, Michigan

Benton Lake Campground

6 ReviewsAdd Review

Within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, Benton Lake Campground operates as a US Forest Service facility on 33 acres of water surrounded by woodland. The campground divides into two loops with spacious, well-separated sites that accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. Each site includes a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern post, with paved parking areas and room for tents.

A short trail leads from the camping area down to the lake, where two piers provide water access for fishing and small watercraft. Reviewers consistently note bluegill and bass fishing opportunities, and the lake supports kayaking and other paddle sports. Eileen T. found "fishing was great, lots of blue gill and bass." The campground maintains vault toilets throughout both loops, with multiple reviewers commenting on their cleanliness and upkeep.

The forest setting means wildlife encounters are common, particularly raccoons and coyotes, though the latter are typically heard rather than seen. Campers report the area stays relatively quiet during weekdays, with enough space between sites to feel isolated. The camp host maintains the facility well, and drinking water is available on-site. For additional camping options in the region, visitors can explore campgrounds around Bitely or check out nearby Minnie Pond Campground.

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Location

Public Campground

Benton Lake Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

_ From White Cloud - _ Travel north on M-37 for 10.5 miles. Turn left and travel west on Pierce Dr. for 5 miles. The site is located on the right.

Coordinates

43.66862933 N
85.89100728 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Visitors repeatedly highlighted the spacious, clean sites and exceptionally well-maintained vault toilets at this peaceful forest campground. Many campers appreciated the helpful management and quiet atmosphere with generous site spacing.

BThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2025

Benton Lake fun

We have had a great experience at Benton Lake. Some great birding in our kayaks on the lake. A couple miles west we hiked the NCT a couple miles O&B. Beautiful woods. Clean sites, great bathrooms. Mike the caretaker is a real worker and is maintaining the place beautifully. Sites are spacious and generous. Easy to pull in to and pretty quiet place. Enjoy!

Site16
Month of VisitAugust
  • creek on NCT
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  • NCT beaver activity
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  • (5) View All
E
Reviewed Aug. 6, 2023

Peaceful Getaway

Beautiful campground, very clean and well maintained. Vault toilets are some of the cleanest I've used. You can hear the coyotes and raccoons, but the coyotes were never spotted. Make sure any and all food/garbage is picked up and thrown out each night to avoid unwanted visitors (we lost a bag of hot dog buns to some raccoons, our fault). Fishing was great, lots of blue gill and bass.

Site8
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Eileen T., August 6, 2023
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Eileen T., August 6, 2023
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Eileen T., August 6, 2023
A
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2023

Clean well maintained campground, quite a few private spots

We’ve stayed here twice this summer. The toilets are well maintained and the camp manager was super nice. We stayed Sunday-Tuesday both times and it wasn’t busy and we felt alone in the forest which is perfect. There’s a few trails near the lake which made for lots of exploring.

Site22 and 24
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Ashlee D., August 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Ashlee D., August 1, 2023
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Ashlee D., August 1, 2023
  • (9) View All
Dylan C.
Reviewed Jul. 10, 2023

Great spot

Nice and spaced out sites with easy access to a beautiful lake, friendly and helpful management, and well taken care of vault bathrooms. Pricing isn’t bad either.

Site1
Month of VisitJuly
Art S.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Feb. 29, 2020

Larger sites in the woods along a lake

In the Huron-Manistee National Forest is this rustic campground. The sites are really big and spread out. They are split between 2 loops. The first loop was almost filled so we checked the second one and found a site away from others. It felt like we were alone until we took a walk around the campground. Picnic table, fire pit and lantern stand are standard. Paved spots for rv’s with plenty of room for tents. Vault toilets are spread throughout. There is even a parking area for visitors. 

We walked down the short trail to see the lake. The trail goes partially along the lake but it’s not very long. We saw 2 piers- one had a jet ski tied to it. Camp was quiet enough to hear the tree fall just outside our campsite. Would it still make a noise if we weren’t here? 

This is a peaceful discovery that is perfect for a getaway.

  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Art S., February 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Art S., February 29, 2020
  • Review photo of Benton Lake Campground by Art S., February 29, 2020
  • (8) View All
Kelli V.
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2018

Rustic and charming

Rustic Federal campground on a 33 acre lake in the Huron Manistee National Forest. Perfect for taking out the kayaks for some fishing!

Site23
Month of VisitJune
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos or a virtual tour of Benton Lake Campground?

While there's no formal virtual tour available, Benton Lake Campground offers picturesque views worth capturing. The 33-acre lake provides excellent photo opportunities, especially for kayakers and nature enthusiasts. The campground features two distinct loops with spacious, well-separated sites surrounded by forest. Trails near the lake offer additional scenic vistas. To see official photos before your visit, check the Huron-Manistee National Forest website or contact the ranger district directly.

What amenities and facilities are available at Benton Lake Campground?

Benton Lake Campground is a rustic facility within the Huron-Manistee National Forest featuring spacious, well-spread out campsites divided between two loops. Amenities include exceptionally clean vault toilets, lake access for fishing and kayaking, and hiking trails. The 33-acre lake is perfect for paddling and fishing activities. Sites are large enough to accommodate various camping setups while maintaining privacy. The campground is well-maintained with a helpful camp manager on site. No electric hookups or running water are available, consistent with its rustic designation.

How does Benton Lake Campground compare to other state or national forest campgrounds in Michigan?

Benton Lake Campground stands out among Michigan's forest campgrounds for its exceptional balance of accessibility and wilderness immersion. Unlike some more developed state parks, it maintains a truly rustic character with spacious, private sites that offer a genuine forest experience. The 33-acre lake provides water recreation opportunities that many inland forest campgrounds lack. Its well-maintained facilities, particularly the clean vault toilets, exceed the standards of many comparable rustic campgrounds. The proximity to the North Country Trail offers hiking opportunities similar to other premier forest campgrounds in the state. For those seeking a quieter alternative to Michigan's often crowded state parks, Benton Lake delivers a more secluded experience while still providing essential amenities.

What do visitor reviews say about Benton Lake Campground?

Benton Lake Campground consistently earns high praise for its spacious, private sites spread across two loops that create a true forest immersion experience. Campers appreciate the exceptionally clean vault toilets and the dedicated camp manager who maintains the grounds beautifully. The 33-acre lake offers excellent kayaking, fishing, and birding opportunities. Visitors enjoy the nearby trails for exploring and the peaceful atmosphere, particularly on weekdays when the campground is less busy. Wildlife sightings are common, with sounds of coyotes and raccoons adding to the wilderness experience. Reasonable pricing makes it an excellent value.

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