Lake Michigan Campground
Moran, Michigan · on Lake Michigan · Hiawatha National Forest
Verified · 4 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $26/night
- SEASON
- May
About Lake Michigan Campground
Lake Michigan Campground (listed on Recreation.gov as 'Lake Michigan at St. Ignace') is a U.S. Forest Service campground in Hiawatha National Forest on the Lake Michigan shoreline near Brevort, Michigan. It sits atop 20-30 foot sand dunes, and the beach below serves as the campground's swimming hole, with direct, official access for swimming and wave play.
The campground occupies a bluff between the highway and Lake Michigan, wedged among 20- to 30-foot sand dunes described by the Forest Service as offering 'miles of sand beach.' The shoreline environment is characterized as 'dunes, waves, sand and wind,' with trails winding through the ancient dune formations and views suited to sunset watching.
Swimming at Lake Michigan Campground
Swimming is directly off the campground's sandy Lake Michigan beach. The Forest Service and Recreation.gov both describe 'body-surfing waves that crash onto the lake's sandy beaches during commonly high winds,' making conditions best suited to confident, wave-tolerant swimmers rather than a calm, shallow wading spot; no lifeguard service is documented.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the intersection of US-2 and I-75 in St. Ignace, drive west approximately 16-18 miles on US-2 to reach the campground/beach area near Brevort.
Parking: Campsites have grass and dirt parking spurs; day-use visitors pay a per-vehicle fee to access the beach area.
The hike in
- Time on foot
- Well under 5 minutes on foot from campsite/parking to the water, per official description of sites being steps from the beach.
No hike is required to reach the beach; the Recreation.gov campsites page describes sites as 'just steps away' from the Lake Michigan shoreline, since the campground sits directly on a dune bluff above the beach. Separate recreational dune trails (including a segment of the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Sand Dunes Cross-Country Ski Trail) pass through the area but are optional add-on hikes, not the access route to the swimming beach.
No specific measured distance or dedicated switchback/staircase down the dune was documented in official sources; only that campsites open directly onto the beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach with a gradual entry is good for kids, but the Forest Service and Recreation.gov both describe body-surfing-sized waves during commonly high winds and there is no documented lifeguard, so supervision is needed, especially on windy days.
Parking
Paid, $7/vehicle day-use fee
Campsites have grass/dirt parking spurs at individual sites; day-use beach visitors pay a per-vehicle fee (~$7, one source lists the additional-vehicle overnight fee as $7-$8).
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets at the campground (per USFS and Recreation.gov listings); no flush restrooms documented.
Hours
Campground/beach operating season is May 15 through September 13; quiet hours 10:00 PM-6:00 AM; check-in 2:00 PM, check-out 12:00 PM (noon) for overnight sites.
On the water
The USFS page states 'boat or canoe rental is available at the store located at the near-by Brevoort Lake Campground and at resorts on the lake,' and the Recreation.gov campsites page lists boating and fishing among Lake Michigan activities here. No specific restrictions (no-wake, electric-only, carry-in-only) were found. Kayak and paddleboard use is not explicitly documented for this beach, though nothing in the sources suggests it is restricted on this open Great Lakes shoreline.
Rentals nearby
Camp store at Brevoort Lake Campground
Boat and canoe rental (per USFS Hiawatha National Forest page, which also notes rentals available at unnamed 'resorts on the lake')
Brevoort Lake Campground, approx. 2.1 miles from Lake Michigan Campground
Lake Michigan Campground: FAQ
Does Lake Michigan Campground charge a fee?
Overnight camping listed around $26/night per site plus $8 (Recreation.gov) or $7 (Forest Service page) for an additional vehicle; day use is about $7 per vehicle.
Is Lake Michigan Campground kid friendly?
Sandy beach with a gradual entry is good for kids, but the Forest Service and Recreation.gov both describe body-surfing-sized waves during commonly high winds and there is no documented lifeguard, so supervision is needed, especially on windy days.
Do I need to hike to reach Lake Michigan Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Lake Michigan Campground?
Campsites have grass/dirt parking spurs at individual sites; day-use beach visitors pay a per-vehicle fee (~$7, one source lists the additional-vehicle overnight fee as $7-$8).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Lake Michigan Campground?
The USFS page states 'boat or canoe rental is available at the store located at the near-by Brevoort Lake Campground and at resorts on the lake,' and the Recreation.gov campsites page lists boating and fishing among Lake Michigan activities here. No specific restrictions (no-wake, electric-only, carry-in-only) were found. Kayak and paddleboard use is not explicitly documented for this beach, though nothing in the sources suggests it is restricted on this open Great Lakes shoreline.
When is the best time to visit Lake Michigan Campground?
Campground operating season runs May 15 through September 13; the beach itself is a Great Lakes shoreline so swimming is a warm-season activity within that window.
What are the rules at Lake Michigan Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM / check-out 12:00 PM (noon); quiet hours 10:00 PM-6:00 AM; maximum 8 people per site; camping equipment cannot be left unattended more than 24 hours; firewood may not be moved in (invasive pest policy); cancellations require 7 days' notice.
What water body is Lake Michigan Campground on?
Lake Michigan Campground is on Lake Michigan, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
