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Mud Lake State Forest Campground

With just eight non-reservable sites accessible via well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway, Mud Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis from April through October at $20 per night. The campground sits on Big Mud Lake in forested terrain, offering both lakefront and tree-tucked sites with vault toilets and hand pump water.

Four sites face the lake directly, with Site #6 earning particular praise for its lake overlook and dedicated path down to the water. Jacki F. notes the layout provides "privacy from neighboring sites" through "small stands of trees" dividing each spacious area. The lake accommodates kayaks, canoes, and trolling motor boats via a dirt boat ramp, though some campers launch directly from shoreline access points near their sites.

Trail access connects to the Green Pine Lake Pathway system, creating roughly nine miles of hiking opportunities across three different lakes. Cell service proves surprisingly reliable, particularly for Verizon users. Campers report tick activity during warmer months and occasional mosquitoes at dusk. The remote location down dirt roads creates a notably quiet atmosphere, though storm damage sometimes affects trail conditions.

For additional options in the region, campers can explore places to camp around Lake or check nearby Sulak just under two miles northwest.

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Location

Public Campground

Mud Lake State Forest Campground is located in Michigan

Directions

Located 11 miles east of Evart via US-10, M-66.

Address

7 Mile Road and Brown Rd
Lake Station, MI 48632

Coordinates

43.907582 N
85.077573 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
Verizon5G
Excellent Coverage
AT&T5G
Good Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
WiFi
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

45 min from Midland, MI
59 min from Bay City, MI
1 hr 10 min from Saginaw, MI
1 hr 23 min from Traverse City, MI

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4.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Matt T.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 12, 2025

My type of campground

Nice spot! I stayed here just passing through. Clean sites, very quiet when I was here. It’s right on Mud Lake great for canoe, kayak or boat. Lake access was literally 50 yards from my campsite. I will definitely be back!

Site1

Month of VisitApril

Zara W.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 29, 2024

It was nice but lots of ticks

The place was beautiful for Memorial Day weekend. The neighbors in the campers were loud they were playing loud. I did notice lots of ticks. Our dogs all had at least one on them and all of us campers had a few. It’s expected being in the backs wood like that I just didn’t realize how bad. We did some hiking while there and the trails were nice for the most part all the storms definitely did a number on the trees back there lots down in the trails. Overall it was a great weekend

SiteCampsite 1

Month of VisitMay

(8) View All

Lisa P.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 21, 2023

August 2023

We had a nice stay. It is a small campground and that is exactly what we were looking for. We got there on a Thursday afternoon and the best site #6 was taken but we were able to find 3 private sites that were unoccupied. There were several dogs and some barking but not too bad.

Site3

Month of VisitAugust

Brian L.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 24, 2023

Off the beaten path - secluded

This campground is small, 8 sites. Site number 6 is the best as it overlooks the lake and a path from your campsite leads down to the lake. Paddling/fishing would be cool, but too cold this trip for that. We woke up this morning to 32 degrees, made coffee, too cold to cook. We went on a little hike on the green pine lake pathway accessible on the east end of the campground. The little town of Barryton,“life is good where the rivers meet” offered an incredible breakfast at Williams Cafe. True to it's name, it rained just prior to our stay...and it was muddy.

Site6

Month of VisitApril

Jon S.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2021

What a great spot to rustic camp

8 sites with 3 on the lake (well up a little bank) We stayed on site #3 Loved it Water well pump and 2 put toilets (not to bad) Great fire pit and flat area for our VW bus We will be back Next time we will bring kayaks for sure

Site#3

Month of VisitAugust

Ari A.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2020

Great peaceful spot on a quiet lake

This is a rustic state forest campground with only 8 non-reservable sites. The sites have decent distance between them and vary from tucked into the trees (away from the lake) or more open (near the lake). Several sites have views of the lake, and a couple have direct access to it down small paths. The sites are large enough for most rigs, even though the DNR recommends smaller trailers.

Big Mud Lake is a decent size and is nice and calm for kayaking, etc. There is a boat ramp near the campground, although Site #6 has a small path down to the lake with a shallow spot to use for putting a kayak or canoe in and out of the water.

There is a 2.5-mile-long connector from this campground to the Green Pine Lake Pathway -- it's a total of about 9 miles of trails that connects you to three different lakes.

Mosquitoes came out a bit at night, but weren't bad overall and didn't bother us during the day in the campground. (Can't speak to what might happen on the trail.)

Cellular service for Verizon is awesome, service for Google Fi was decent.

If you can snag a spot here, you're in for a nice peaceful time but can still stay connected if you need to get some work done in between your forays into the woods or out onto the lake.

SiteSite 6

Month of VisitAugust

Brian H.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2020

Nice

Quiet campground primitive only nice lake good size lot will definitely stay

Jacki F.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 9, 2019

Small campground, big ambiance

This campground has the feel of a hike-in campground while being accessible by vehicle. It is located off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere, down a couple of well-marked dirt roads about 20 miles from the highway. There are only 8 sites, but each site is spacious. Sites are divided by small stands of trees providing some privacy from neighboring sites. 4 of the sites are facing the lake. Fire ring, picnic table, vault toilets and hand pump water. Surprisingly good cell reception. There is a dirt boat ramp, but only for trolling motor, canoes and kayaks. Very quiet campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Mud Lake State Forest Campground?

Mud Lake State Forest Campground offers a peaceful, secluded camping experience with just 8 sites. The campground has a remote, wilderness feel while still being accessible by vehicle. Sites are spacious with good separation between them, and several offer beautiful views of the lake. Some sites are tucked into the trees while others are more open with direct lake access. Visitors consistently praise the quiet atmosphere and natural beauty. The campground is especially appealing to those seeking a more rustic, less crowded camping experience. Site #6 is frequently mentioned as a favorite for its excellent lake views and direct path to the water.

What amenities are available at Mud Lake State Forest Campground?

Mud Lake State Forest Campground is a rustic facility with minimal amenities. The campground features a hand pump well for water, two pit toilets, and fire pits at each site. Each of the 8 campsites has a flat area for tents or small campers. There are no electrical hookups, showers, or flush toilets. The lake provides opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking with some sites offering direct lake access via small paths.

How do I find Mud Lake State Forest Campground in Michigan?

Mud Lake State Forest Campground is located in a remote area of Michigan, approximately 20 miles from the nearest highway. To reach the campground, you'll need to travel down several well-marked dirt roads. The campground is described as being "off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere," so having good directions is essential. While specific driving directions aren't detailed, the roads to the campground are navigable by standard vehicles. Consider downloading offline maps before your trip as cell service may be limited in this remote area.

Are reservations required for Mud Lake State Forest Campground?

Reservations are not available for Mud Lake State Forest Campground. All 8 sites are first-come, first-served only. Given the limited number of sites and the popularity of certain spots (particularly site #6 with its lake view), arriving early is recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Weekdays typically offer better availability. For the most up-to-date information on availability policies, contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

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Description

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Sault Ste. Marie to Duluth: 4 Day Road Trip

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Location

Directions

Address

Coordinates

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Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

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Drive Time

What do reviews say about Mud Lake State Forest Campground?

What amenities are available at Mud Lake State Forest Campground?

How do I find Mud Lake State Forest Campground in Michigan?

Are reservations required for Mud Lake State Forest Campground?