Round Lake Campground
National City, Michigan · on Round Lake · Huron National Forest
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $14 per night
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Round Lake Campground
Round Lake Campground is a U.S. Forest Service campground on the 91-acre Round Lake in the Huron-Manistee National Forest near National City, Michigan, in Iosco County. It provides the only public access to the lake, which is otherwise ringed mostly by private property, so its sandy beach is effectively the lake's one public swimming hole, alongside a boat launch and 33 rustic campsites.
The campground sits on the shore of Round Lake, a 91-acre lake within the Huron-Manistee National Forest, surrounded mostly by privately owned shoreline; the campground and its day-use area are the lake's only public access point. Sites are arranged in two wooded, rustic loops near the water.
Swimming at Round Lake Campground
Swimming is an officially listed activity at a sandy, sand-bottomed beach adjacent to the campground. Camper accounts describe it as calm and kid-friendly, suited to families and casual swimmers rather than serious open-water swimmers; no specific water depth or clarity data was found.
How to get to this swimming hole
From the west, leave M-55 about 6 miles east of M-65, head north on Sand Lake Road for 3 miles to Indian Lake Road, turn left toward Latham Road for 2.5 miles, then left again for 0.5 miles. From the east, exit M-55 at Plank Road near Tawas City, follow Plank Road 7 miles, curve onto Indian Lake Road for 0.25 miles, then turn right on Latham Road for 0.5 miles. Address: 2180 Latham Road, National City, MI 48748.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up campground/day-use area -- the sandy swimming beach sits immediately along the campground shoreline, reachable in under a couple minutes' walk from the gravel parking area. Recreation.gov and Campflare both mention 'hiking trails nearby' as a bonus activity in the broader national forest, but no specific named trail leads to or is required to reach the swim spot.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Multiple camper reviews describe a sand-bottomed, gently sloped beach near campsite 8 that's well suited to kids, and it's a short walk from parking rather than a hike. However, this is an unguarded USFS day-use beach with no lifeguard on duty, so 'with_care' rather than an unqualified yes -- watch children as you would at any natural lake beach.
Parking
Lot
Each campsite has a paved/asphalt parking apron, and there is a separate gravel lot at the boat-ramp/day-use beach area. Camping is $14/night (per Forest Service/Recreation.gov), but no source confirms a separate fee just to park and swim at the day-use beach without camping.
Restrooms
Yes
Vault toilets are provided throughout the campground and at the day-use/swim area; no showers or flush toilets on site.
Hours
Campground season runs May 3-Oct 31 (Forest Service/Recreation.gov; Campflare agrees, though The Dyrt lists May 20-Sept 1). Facilities are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week unless otherwise posted, with quiet hours 10pm-6am.
On the water
The campground's gravel boat ramp accommodates both motorized and non-motorized watercraft (Campflare, Forest Service). No horsepower cap or no-wake rule was found in any source, though at 91 acres the lake is small enough that motorized traffic is likely light in practice.
What regulars say
Visitors describe Round Lake as one of several lakes in the immediate area, with a sand-bottom swimming beach close to campsite 8 that's good for kids. One recent visitor called it 'peaceful' and a good place to relax. A recurring minor complaint is mosquitoes/bugs. One camper found it 'kind of creepy' that local residents drive through the campground loop on golf carts as if scoping the place out, worth knowing but not indicative of any real safety issue reported elsewhere.
Round Lake Campground: FAQ
Does Round Lake Campground charge a fee?
$14 per night for a standard nonelectric campsite (per Recreation.gov/Forest Service); senior and Access pass holders receive a 50% discount on their own site. No separate day-use or swimming fee was found.
Is Round Lake Campground kid friendly?
Multiple camper reviews describe a sand-bottomed, gently sloped beach near campsite 8 that's well suited to kids, and it's a short walk from parking rather than a hike. However, this is an unguarded USFS day-use beach with no lifeguard on duty, so 'with_care' rather than an unqualified yes -- watch children as you would at any natural lake beach.
Do I need to hike to reach Round Lake Campground?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Round Lake Campground?
Each campsite has a paved/asphalt parking apron, and there is a separate gravel lot at the boat-ramp/day-use beach area. Camping is $14/night (per Forest Service/Recreation.gov), but no source confirms a separate fee just to park and swim at the day-use beach without camping.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Round Lake Campground?
The campground's gravel boat ramp accommodates both motorized and non-motorized watercraft (Campflare, Forest Service). No horsepower cap or no-wake rule was found in any source, though at 91 acres the lake is small enough that motorized traffic is likely light in practice.
When is the best time to visit Round Lake Campground?
Campground season runs roughly early May through late October (Forest Service and Campflare list May 3-Oct 31; The Dyrt lists May 20-Sept 1), i.e., typical Michigan summer swimming season.
What are the rules at Round Lake Campground?
National Forest campground rules: quiet hours 10 PM-6 AM, pets must be leashed, no fireworks, no ORVs in the campground, campers must occupy their reserved site within 24 hours, no unattended hot campfires, and no firewood brought in from outside the area.
What water body is Round Lake Campground on?
Round Lake Campground is on Round Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
