Bear Lake Dispersed Campsite, Manistique, MI

Bear Lake Dispersed Campsite in Schoolcraft county is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. There is a fee of $8.00 per night.

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Campsite Reviews (12)

3.3 out of 5

5 star		25%
4 star		25%
3 star		25%
2 star		8%
1 star		17%

@TimR4117159 · Camped on Sep 8, 2024 at Campsite #1

Mid-Sept 2024, nice large site. Sharp rocky two-tracks on the way there, you'll need an SUV at least for clearance. No bugs at all. The site is on a hill about 60' above the lake shore and the small opening thru the brush for a canoe or kayak is not always useable due to muddy shoreline, numerous logs, some jammed in and couldnt move. I brought my canoe all the way out here and couldnt launch here. There is a separate day-use only mini-dock at the south end of lake that was real nice. I wish that type of dock was at this site. Even if I launched from there I still couldn't pull up at my camp. Night sky visibility is only thru an opening in the canopy 45-90 degrees above for stargazing. Swans, but no loons on lake.

@EdwardG4063779 · Camped on Jul 7, 2024 at Campsite #1

The Hiawatha national Forest is becoming inundated with ATVs. They tromp all over the place and disturb any chance for peace and quiet. We actually had one barge right into our campsite and proceeded to tell us they had as much right to be there as we did. The previous occupants left food garbage on the ground. You have to go down a steep incline to get to the lake and then it is just muck at the shore.

@jaidenl862BB1D · Camped on Jul 11, 2023 at Campsite #1

there was human poop around the campsite toilet paper everywhere the road was alot worse then they told us i scraped the bottom of my car

@BenjaminM67514 · Camped on Jun 18, 2023 at Campsite #1

Human waste and used toilet paper left IN camp. Burning plastic in fire ring. Food and trash scattered about. Dead minnows left right at water access. Previous occupants ruined what would have been a nice site. It's way out there, so if you're looking for a private spot, this is it. Just bring your hazmat suit.

@KellyS8987536 · Camped on Jun 9, 2023 at Campsite #1

Love the campsite but the road in is awe full! They need to put some gravel on top of the huge rocks, it takes forever to get into the site because you have to go so slow, everything on the camper is tossed around

@buzam2658628 · Camped on May 27, 2022 at Campsite #1

I like the primitive experience, and this provided it.

@AbrahamS182998 · Camped on Sep 24, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great campsite, poor fishing, very limited access to the lake. Saw 9-10 baby turtles casually walk by our tent.

@AbrahamS679 · Camped on Sep 24, 2021 at Campsite #1

Great campsite, poor fishing, very limited access to the lake. Saw 9-10 baby turtles casually walk by our tent.

@JoanneJ250 · Camped on Aug 27, 2020 at Campsite #1

Very large sandy site. We saw no other people near the site or on the lake. Very quiet. Fire ring had a flip top grill. Forest roads can be tricky, the 2217 to 2696 spur was good. We had an excellent time

@JoanneJ5885253 · Camped on Aug 27, 2020 at Campsite #1

@KyleS7386692 · Camped on Aug 21, 2019 at Campsite #1

Nice campsite, but if youre looking for seclusion this may not be the site for you. Lots of ORV traffic on the trails around the site, including in the middle of the night

@KyleS965 · Camped on Aug 21, 2019 at Campsite #1

Nice campsite, but if youre looking for seclusion this may not be the site for you. Lots of ORV traffic on the trails around the site, including in the middle of the night

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