Big Lake State Forest Campground campground
Big Lake State Forest Campground
Reservations are not accepted at Big Lake State Forest Campground, as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This adds to the spontaneity of the camping experience, allowing visitors to embrace nature without the hassle of booking in advance. It is advisable to arrive early in peak seasons or weekends to secure a campsite.
The best time to visit the Big Lake State Forest Campground is during the summer months, particularly from June to September. During this time, the weather is generally pleasant, and campers can enjoy activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating in the nearby Big Lake. However, it is important to note that the campground is prone to mosquitoes during the summer, so bringing insect repellent is highly recommended.
Campers should also be cautious of the wildlife in the area, such as black bears, and should store food securely to avoid attracting them. The campground offers beautiful hiking trails, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding forest. Overall, Big Lake State Forest Campground provides a peaceful and natural camping experience, making it an ideal destination for those seeking tranquility amidst Michigan's stunning natural beauty.
What's on-site at Big Lake State Forest Campground
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Big Lake State Forest Campground, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Lake State Forest | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Sturgeon River | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Sturgeon River Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| King Lake - Copper County State Forest | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| King Lake State Forest Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Big Lake State Forest Campground -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sturgeon River Near Sidnaw | 200 cfs | → |
| Sturgeon River Near Alston | 491 cfs | → |
| Silver River Near L'Anse | 77 cfs | → |
| Middle Branch Ontonagon River Near Paulding | 184 cfs | → |
| Bond Falls Canal Near Paulding | 91 cfs | → |
| Ontonagon River Near Rockland | 898 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Big Lake State Forest Campground -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Watton 2wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Herman | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Baraga 7nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Three Lakes | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Michigamme 3wnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wilderness Sturgeon River Gorge
- Baraga State Park
- Sturgeon River Sloughs State Wildlife Area
- Craig Lake State Park
- Mccormick Wilderness
- Van Riper State Park
Boat launches
- Vermilac Lake Road Covington Township
- Parent Lake Road Covington Township
- Fishing Site Road Laird Township
- King Lake Covington Township
- Us 41 Baraga
- Bergland To Sidnaw Rail-Trail Sidnaw
Fishing spots
- Alberta Pond
- Prickett Reservoir
- Otter Lake
- Lake Gerald (Twin Lakes)
- Lake Roland (Twin Lakes)
- Rockland Pond
Paddle runs
- From Wagner Lake In Sec 13, T49n, R31w To Eastern Boundary Of The Ottawa Nf In Sec 12, T48n, R35@
- West Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 35, T48n, R34w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- East Branch Net River, From Its Source In Sec 8, T47n, R32w To Confluence With Mainstem Net River In Sec 24, T46n, R34w
- Net River Mainstem, Confluence With East/West Branches To Confluence With The Mainstem Paint River
- South Branch,Confluence Of Cisco Branch And Tenmile Creek To Confluence With West Branch
- Mainstem, Easternforest Boundary In Sec 1, T44n, R35w To City Of Crystal Falls
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Big Lake State Forest Campground as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Big Lake State Forest Campground
Can I make reservations at Big Lake State Forest Campground?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Big Lake State Forest Campground?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Big Lake State Forest Campground.