Island Lake Campground
Rose City, Michigan · on Island Lake · Huron National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- No fee found
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Island Lake Campground
Island Lake Campground is a U.S. Forest Service campground on 58-acre Island Lake in the Huron-Manistee National Forest's Mio Ranger District, near Rose City, Michigan. The site has an official, buoy-marked swimming beach at its day-use area, making it a designated swimming hole rather than an informal one, and a dependable lake to swim in.
The campground sits on the southern edge of the Mio Ranger District within the Huron National Forest, surrounding a small (58-acre) inland lake with a day-use area adjacent to the campground.
Swimming at Island Lake Campground
Swimming takes place at a designated beach marked with buoys on Island Lake. The water is described as cold, with a maximum lake depth of 25 feet; the lake also supports fishing (sunfish, perch, bass) and launching of non-motorized watercraft like kayaks and canoes carried in from the day-use parking area.
How to get to this swimming hole
From West Branch: travel east on M-55 for 5 miles, then north on M-33 for 16 miles, then west on Loon Lake Loop Road for 1 mile.
Parking: Day-use parking area adjacent to the swimming beach; watercraft are hand-carried from this lot to the water. Campsites have paved parking pads.
The hike in
1.25-mile loop trail at the campground (with a spur to Loon Lake Day Use Area)
Trailhead: Starts at the Island Lake Campground itself; no separate trailhead parking needed since the swim beach and day-use lot are within the campground/day-use area.
No hike is required to reach the swimming beach - it's adjacent to the day-use parking lot. A separate 1.25-mile loop trail exists at the campground for recreational hiking (traversing glacial moraine terrain) but is not on the route to the swim beach.
This is a drive-up/short-walk swim spot from the day-use parking area, not a hike-in destination.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Official buoy-marked swim beach on a small (58-acre) lake makes it more controlled than a river or quarry, but max lake depth is 25 ft and near-shore/shallow-entry depth is not documented, water is described as cold, and no lifeguards are mentioned on the official listing.
Parking
Lot
Day-use parking area adjacent to the swimming beach where visitors hand-carry kayaks/canoes to the water; campsites have separate paved parking pads. No parking fee is stated on the official Recreation.gov page (campsite reservation fees are separate and not confirmed here).
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets on-site at the campground/day-use area, per Recreation.gov listing photos and description; handpump wells provide drinking water (no flush toilets/showers noted).
On the water
Restrictions: Non-motorized watercraft only; visitors must hand-carry boats from the day-use parking area to the beach (no boat launch/ramp described). Motorized boats are prohibited on the lake.
Confirmed directly on the official Recreation.gov campground page.
Island Lake Campground: FAQ
Is Island Lake Campground kid friendly?
Official buoy-marked swim beach on a small (58-acre) lake makes it more controlled than a river or quarry, but max lake depth is 25 ft and near-shore/shallow-entry depth is not documented, water is described as cold, and no lifeguards are mentioned on the official listing.
Do I need to hike to reach Island Lake Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Island Lake Campground?
Day-use parking area adjacent to the swimming beach where visitors hand-carry kayaks/canoes to the water; campsites have separate paved parking pads. No parking fee is stated on the official Recreation.gov page (campsite reservation fees are separate and not confirmed here).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Island Lake Campground?
Confirmed directly on the official Recreation.gov campground page.
What are the rules at Island Lake Campground?
No fireworks permitted; off-road/off-highway vehicles restricted to designated roads and trails only; do not tie items to standing trees; campfires must be contained and fully cool before leaving; only local firewood permitted (invasive pest prevention); site is gated during the off-season; reserved campsites must be occupied within 24 hours of the reservation start.
What water body is Island Lake Campground on?
Island Lake Campground is on Island Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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