Swan Lake Dispersed Campsite Campground, Manistique, MI

Swan Lake Dispersed Campsite Campground in Schoolcraft county is located 3 hrs 29 min northwest of Traverse City, MI with an elevation of 587 feet. There are a total of 4 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. There is a fee of $8.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.

Make a Reservation

Campsite Reviews (27)

4.4 out of 5

5 star		63%
4 star		26%
3 star		4%
2 star		0%
1 star		7%

@LindyS4DC92955 · Camped on Jul 20, 2024 at Campsite #4

Didnt go to Swan Lake Campsite. Went to Swan Lake Campground in MT which was excellent. Waiting to see if I get a refund

@DonnaL8792277 · Camped on Jul 17, 2024 at Campsite #4

A beautiful, large site that's easy to find with well marked roads

@TimothyJ251470 · Camped on Sep 18, 2023 at Campsite #1

Great site. Next to the boat ramp. Seems like they cleared a few trees after recent weather. Not really an even site but there is room between the site and the boat ramp where maybe you could be more level. BIG NOTE google maps took me down a road where the bridge is out for construction. Go the route where the other three sites have road access. The other way will probably be blocked until 2024.

@IrynaOEEFE53EA · Camped on Aug 20, 2023 at Campsite #2

Nice swimming access, warm water. Our dog loved it! The fire pit is a plus- my fiance had a fire going all the time. Easy to drive to this location. Pit toilet is also nice. Flat area to set up tent. Good amount of mosquitoes so bring repellent. It's plenty private from sites 3 and 4 but we also enjoyed talking to some of the other campers. We are already planning our next trip back here!

@JamesD3491200 · Camped on Aug 15, 2023 at Campsite #1

I stayed at Site 1, which is isolated from the other three sites. Very quiet and peaceful. Swan Lake is one of the prettier little lakes in the Hiawatha Forest. Sites 2,3, and 4 are also very nice, #2 has plenty of shade. All the sites have easy access for canoes or kayaks, and site 1 is near a boat launch. I will definitely return.

@JamesG6676411 · Camped on Sep 30, 2022 at Campsite #3

There was logging going on around the campsite and the access road was impassable.

@ErinS5754026 · Camped on Jun 17, 2022 at Campsite #3

Excellent spot near the lake with a comfortable spot to pitch a tent. Be aware that the road to the campsite is littered with logging debris.

@CarolH5284850 · Camped on Jun 12, 2022 at Campsite #3

We have camped at Swan Lake as a family for many years - since our adult kids were babies. We love the lake and camping area. However, we were very disappointed that the occupants before us put their horse manure and old hay in the woods - inviting flies… and the logging that was going on was messy. We’re so sad that is happening around the lake. It changes the atmosphere greatly! Some in our group were also told by the men logging, that they would have to wait 20 or 30 minutes to leave or access our camping site. We were surprised at that and when we asked they did eventually choose to let us drive through. 20 to 30 years ago, the site was more readily available. Now that it is so heavily advertised, it is difficult to find a spot. We also noticed that a beaver has moved in. It was fun to watch it. We’re not sure that has anything to do with the level of the lake, but there is no longer a sandy beach around the shore. We miss that as well. However, we made wonderful memories and are thankful we were able to spend a bit of time there this summer.

@LauraC180 · Camped on Oct 9, 2021 at Campsite #4

Amazing view! Is incredible fall time in this place

@LauraC7322672 · Camped on Oct 9, 2021 at Campsite #4

Amazing view! Is incredible fall time in this place

@AlanB7325973 · Camped on Sep 19, 2021 at Campsite #2

The lake view is beautiful, we enjoyed kayaking. Also was able to walk horses into water, even thou water level was still high. The uneven camping areas make it hard setting up camper. Site 2 has so many trees, it is very hard to get trailer turned around. The designated horse areas are in very bad condition. When it rains the water drains right to the horse area. Also their locations have been poorly picked. They are to far from campers and can not be seen at night. Unfortunately the horse campers are not hauling out manure, there needs to be a manure pit installed. these camp site are so over due for improvements, its very sad. WHEN will improvements be made? Also Pine Martin Camp needs to be enlarged and improved! BUT the trails are beautiful, and well maintained!

@AlanB380 · Camped on Sep 19, 2021 at Campsite #2

@SebastianG509 · Camped on Aug 2, 2021 at Campsite #1

Loved the spot but, and this is my fault but, I should have known that when its a boat launch it's not really a private site as others will show up here and there. Only has one run in with anyone else so not a biggie.

@Sebastian76209 · Camped on Aug 2, 2021 at Campsite #1

@PatrickR752924 · Camped on Oct 4, 2020 at Campsite #1

If you don’t mind a little horse doo-doo, it’s a beautiful place to stay! There beautiful walking trails all around, & the view of lake with the hills in the background is amazing! Absolutely no cell service either. Just put your phone in airplane mode and save on your battery! 🐴

@PatrickR145 · Camped on Oct 4, 2020 at Campsite #1

@BrianV745 · Camped on Oct 1, 2020 at Campsite #1

This was an amazing site! We had so much fun and the forest had multiple places to visit for stunning photos. Check out our walkthrough of sites 1,2,3 & 4. https://youtu.be/8pNdA2uv5zc

@BrianV1669583 · Camped on Oct 1, 2020 at Campsite #1

This was an amazing site! We had so much fun and the forest had multiple places to visit for stunning photos. Check out our walkthrough of sites 1,2,3 & 4. https://youtu.be/8pNdA2uv5zc

@howards5966886 · Camped on Sep 20, 2020 at Campsite #1

Had a wonderful time at Camp Site 1. The weather was unseasonably warm for mid-September. The fall colors were just about peaking. The only issue were incessant flies (not biting fortunately) any time the temperature went above 70F. I chalked this up to the abundant supply of horse manure poorly managed by past campers. Otherwise, great hiking within the Pine Marten Preserve, and very few people wandering through due to the restricted access. Still, a few "explorers" coming down the path. One drove his Blazer right through camp. Also, a few people using the boat ramp, though only one to actually put in a boat. There are pit toilets at the camp sites, not noted in the literature, a nice convenience.

@HowardS827 · Camped on Sep 20, 2020 at Campsite #1

@CherieB414 · Camped on Jul 19, 2020 at Campsite #4

Swan lake is our favorite place to camp. It’s private and gives you the real camping experience. We have been camping there for 30 years and are so grateful it opened up this year ❤️

@CherieB4502134 · Camped on Jul 19, 2020 at Campsite #4

Swan lake is our favorite place to camp. It’s private and gives you the real camping experience. We have been camping there for 30 years and are so grateful it opened up this year ❤️

@LauraK958 · Camped on Oct 2, 2019 at Campsite #4

We LOVED the campsite. The lake was fantastic, peaceful, and beautiful. However, we did not like the fact that we had to pack out the horse manure. We did haul out all of our horse manure/hay droppings, but noted that many other previous campers had strewn their manure/hay in the woods near the high ties. We suggest you put in and maintain a manure bunker at that site to manage the waste more effectively. We'd love to camp there again, but won't if we have to haul out manure.

@LoisL785 · Camped on Sep 7, 2019 at Campsite #1

Clean campsite, private when boat launch not in use. Overall lovely experience.

@TinaB664 · Camped on Aug 1, 2019 at Campsite #1

Are family loved camping at Swan Lake. The campgroud hosts were so helpful and kind. We'll be back.

See other campgrounds near Manistique, MI with availability Tonight
See other campgrounds near Manistique, MI with availability This Weekend

Other Campgrounds Nearby

We track all the sites so you don't have to.

Reservation Systems

Campsites Tracking

Campsite Reviews

Available Tonight

Available this Weekend

Cancellations Today

PRO $2.50/month

You're in Control. We never save credit card information or auto-renew subscriptions.

Availability Map Search
3000+ Interactive Campground Maps
Campground Virtual Tours
Save Your Favorite Campsites
Favorite Campsites Availability
Campground Mobile Speed Test Maps
National Parks, Forests & Ranger District Layers
Wildfires & Air Quality Map Layer
Satellite View Map Layer
Campsite SMS Cancellation Alerts
Rent your Property & Cabins
Love's & Super Walmart Map Layers
Cracker Barrel & Bass Pro Shop Map Layers
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) Layer
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Map Layer
RV Propane, Parking, Dump, Water Map Layer

Pro is FREE for 7 days. (No credit card information required!)

Thanks to all our Supporting Members

@BranJen - Santa Clara, CA

I wanted to thank you for this site and especially for the notifications feature. Thanks to your site and my subscription I was able to book a campsite I've been annoyingly trying to book for 5 years unsuccessfully. So thank you.

@Wondering - Oregon

Wow! Woke up this morning to a notification that a favorite had opened at Paulina, and when I went to check, it was there. This membership just paid for itself in the first 24 hours I owned it. Couldn't take the site it conflicted with a trip already set, but it truly was there. Thanks Tons.

@CarlaLThompson - Colorado

I just love this site and I tell everyone about it! It's so competitive to secure desired campsites and the alerts really help track when sites free up. The best part of this story is our alert notified a cancellation the next day!!!!!! Just incredible!!!