Is Emily Lake State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Emily Lake State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Emily Lake State Forest Campground has 1 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Fire policies at Emily Lake State Forest Campground: Visitor reports note large fire pits at sites; campers should follow Michigan DNR fire regulations and local fire restrictions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Emily Lake State Forest Campground have?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground has 9 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Emily Lake State Forest Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What amenities are available at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Emily Lake State Forest Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Emily Lake State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Emily Lake State Forest Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

4.27

34 reviews

Summer Destination

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,204 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

April 2026

Compare availability across multiple campgrounds

Quick Facts

1,204 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

9 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on Michigan DNR Official Website

Get Directions

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free with account · Checks every 2 minutes

150,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(906) 288-3321

Help improve this page

See something outdated or incorrect? Let us know!

What Campers Say

4.27

Satisfactory

Based on 34 reviews

26 Google reviews

Most mentioned

peacefulcleanlakewell-maintained

Some mention

mosquitoessmall

"Reviewers consistently describe Emily Lake State Forest Campground as a small, clean, quiet and rustic U.P. campground with picturesque lake views. Commonly reported features include vault toilets, a hand-pump water source, a boat launch/dock, and about nine (often reported as nine or ten) sites; the site is typically first-come, first-served."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

Emily Lake State Forest Campground

46.8568, -88.8561

Nearby places

Houghton — ~22 miles

Best Time to Camp at Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Fall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, spectacular color, and low bug pressure. Expect crisp days in the 40s–60s°F and nights near freezing by October. Deciduous understory and aspen or maple pockets around Emily Lake peak in late September to early October, making hiking, photography, and quiet shoreline fishing especially rewarding. Crowd levels drop compared with summer, but be aware of hunting activity on surrounding state forest lands. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. Summer brings mosquitoes that reviewers describe as enthusiastic. Winter access is possible. The road is typically plowed. But facilities remain unmaintained and you'll need snowshoes or a snow shovel.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Upper Peninsula fall colors and quiet lakeside setting make fall an excellent season.

Planning Tips

About Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Emily Lake State Forest Campground sits on the south shore of Emily Lake, 22 miles north of Houghton in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Nine primitive sites nestle beneath towering conifers and hemlocks, equipped only with vault toilets, a hand-pump well, fire rings, and picnic tables. First-come, first-served operation keeps the place quiet and uncrowded.

Rustic state forest campground with a very small number of sites (commonly reported as nine or ten). Best suited to tent and primitive camping; first-come, first-served.

Weather and SeasonsFall offers the best combination of comfortable weather, spectacular color, and low bug pressure. Expect crisp days in the 40s–60s°F and nights near freezing by October. Deciduous understory and aspen or maple pockets around Emily Lake peak in late September to early October, making hiking, photography, and quiet shoreline fishing especially rewarding. Crowd levels drop compared with summer, but be aware of hunting activity on surrounding state forest lands. Wear blaze orange during hunting season. Summer brings mosquitoes that reviewers describe as enthusiastic. Winter access is possible. The road is typically plowed. But facilities remain unmaintained and you'll need snowshoes or a snow shovel.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a mixed forest of hemlock, conifer, and hardwood at 1,204 feet elevation. Several sites sit directly on the undeveloped south shoreline of Emily Lake, with water views through the trees. The shoreline is weedy in places with downed wood, and there's no designated swimming beach. Reviewers mention good fishing for bluegill, perch, bass, and occasional trout. A small boat launch and dock provide lake access. Night skies are dark, and sunsets over the water draw consistent praise.

Geological RegionUpper Peninsula (Houghton County), within Michigan state forest lands

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Rustic lakeside campground focused on tent camping, fishing, boating, paddling, and quiet wildlife/forest enjoyment. There are informal recreation opportunities on surrounding state forest lands.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsMosquitoes and other insects in warm months (multiple visitor reports). Reviews note a weedy/ woody shoreline with sticks that can make swimming/ wading uncomfortable; there is no designated supervised swimming area. Campsites are small and in places close together which can limit privacy.

Weather at Emily Lake State Forest Campground

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.3

34 reviews

Satisfactory

Emily Lake State Forest Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently describe Emily Lake State Forest Campground as a small, clean, quiet and rustic U.P. campground with picturesque lake views. Commonly reported features include vault toilets, a hand-pump water source, a boat launch/dock, and about nine (often reported as nine or ten) sites; the site is typically first-come, first-served.

Review Summaries

Based on 34 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean, well-maintained vault toilets; peaceful wooded setting with large conifers and hemlocks; direct lake access and a usable boat launch/dock; good fishing (bluegill, perch, bass, occasional...

Based on 34 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Plan for rustic camping: bring drinking water containers despite a hand-pump well, bring bug repellant, and pack out trash if bins are not visible. Expect first-come, first-served operation (no...

Based on 34 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

0 review

Add your voice to the Outdoorithm community

Been to Emily Lake State Forest Campground? Your review helps fellow campers discover what makes this place special—and what to expect.

Last updated April 3, 2026

Nearby Campgrounds

Campgrounds you may also like

Need help planning your trip?

Ask Camp Sage for personalized camping recommendations

Campgrounds

Emily Lake State Forest Campground