Loon Lake
Rose City, Michigan · on Loon Lake · Huron National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Free
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Loon Lake
Loon Lake Day Use Area is a U.S. Forest Service picnic and swimming site on a 90-acre lake within the Huron National Forest near Rose City, Michigan. It is officially designated by the Forest Service (via Recreation.gov) as a swimming beach and picnicking area, with no entrance fee, a free and easygoing swimming hole for anyone looking for a quiet lake to swim in.
The lake sits within National Forest System land whose surrounding terrain reflects Michigan's glacial history, having been deposited and sculpted during the last glacial retreat. A nature trail runs from the day-use parking area to the adjacent Island Lake Campground, though the Forest Service notes the terrain along that connector trail is steep.
Swimming at Loon Lake
The Forest Service describes the site as 'a popular picnicking area and swimming beach on a peaceful lake,' but no further detail (water clarity, depth, bottom type) was found in official or first-hand sources.
How to get to this swimming hole
From West Branch, MI: travel east on M-55 for 5 miles; turn left (north) on M-33 for 16 miles; turn left (west) on Loon Lake Loop Rd. for 0.25 miles; turn right (north) on FR 4228 to the site.
The hike in
Loon Lake Day Use Area is a drive-up picnicking/swimming beach reached directly by vehicle via FR 4228 off Loon Lake Loop Rd -- no hike is required to reach the water. Separately, an unnamed connector/nature trail links the day-use area to the neighboring Island Lake Campground, and Island Lake Campground has its own roughly 1.25-mile loop trail exploring the West Branch Moraine. These are optional side trails for exploring the area, not the swim access route.
USFS's Loon Lake listing describes the connector trail's terrain to Island Lake Campground as steep in places, but no official source gives its exact one-way mileage.
Plan your visit
Parking
Free
Recreation.gov lists Loon Lake Day Use Area as a no-fee, non-reservable day-use site, implying free parking, but no lot size, surface type, or capacity is specified for this site itself. (Island Lake Campground nearby has paved parking pads, but those serve campsites, not the Loon Lake day-use beach.)
On the water
No boat launch, ramp, or watercraft policy is mentioned in the official Recreation.gov/USFS description of Loon Lake Day Use Area, which is framed purely as a picnicking and swimming beach; whether hand-carry craft like kayaks or paddleboards are permitted was not confirmed in any source found.
Loon Lake: FAQ
Does Loon Lake charge a fee?
No fee; non-reservable day-use facility (per Recreation.gov/USFS listing).
Do I need to hike to reach Loon Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Loon Lake?
Recreation.gov lists Loon Lake Day Use Area as a no-fee, non-reservable day-use site, implying free parking, but no lot size, surface type, or capacity is specified for this site itself. (Island Lake Campground nearby has paved parking pads, but those serve campsites, not the Loon Lake day-use beach.)
What water body is Loon Lake on?
Loon Lake is on Loon Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Rose City
Island Lake Campground
Rose City, Michiganlake
⛺🛶
★ Top verifiedWagner Lake Campground
Rose City, Michiganlake
⛺🛶
★ Top verifiedRound Lake Campground
National City, Michiganlake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Higgins Lake Beach
Roscommon, Michiganlake
⛺🛶🏄🚤
Tawas Point-Sandy Hook Nature Trail
East Tawas, Michiganlake
⛺
Tawas Point State Park
East Tawas, Michiganlake
⛺🛶