Weekend availability at Cookson Lake Campsites
Live from Recreation.gov · checked Sep 17, 1:34 PM PTSold out 2 of the next 4 weekends — exactly when cancellation alerts earn their keep.
- Fri, Sep 18Sold out
- Fri, Sep 25Sold out
- Fri, Oct 2Limited1/5 sites
- Fri, Oct 9Open3/5 sites
Friday + Saturday nights, sites bookable both nights. Counts come from a rotating sweep and can lag a cancellation by up to a day — alerts watch your exact dates within minutes.
How booked is Cookson Lake Campsites?
as of September 17Weekends book out well ahead here — 1 of the 3 Saturdays we sampled, as far out as Oct, are already sold out. When a site frees up it's gone again within minutes, so people watch Cookson Lake Campsites and hear the instant one opens for their dates. Even midweek is filling — 1 of the 3 weekdays we checked are gone.
Weekends (Saturday night)
Weekdays (Wednesday night)
Availability checked directly against the reservation system, out to 3 months ahead.
Campsites & amenities
Site-level details from Recreation.gov's official catalog.
- Campsites
- 5
About this campground
Overview The Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest offer a variety of camping experiences. Many are located on inland lakes in a rustic forest environment with no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience. Recreation Visitors enjoy swimming and fishing in the 35-acre adjacent lake. Largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and bullhead are among the typical catch. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Fish cribs were placed around the Island in 2023. A public boat ramp is located adjacent to site 2, which can be used to access Cookson Lake's fishery of largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill and bullhead. Facilities The campground offers five primitive campsites for tent and RV camping. Each offers tables and campfire rings. A pit toilet is located near one of the sites, but toilet paper is not provided. Drinking water is NOT present at these sites. There is a primitive toilet present at these sites. Lake Name: Cookson Lake Number of Sites: 5 Maximum Number of People: Site 1 (8), Sites 2-5 (16) Toilets: 1 Boat Access: Back-In Lake Size (acres): 35 Natural Features Cookson Lake Campsite offers a primitive place to stay in the thick of Michigan's wilderness. Beautiful forests surround several lakes in the area, providing ample opportunity to enjoy nature in all its forms. These campsites is located in a large open field on the shores of Cookson Lake. All of the campsites are surrounded by a mixed stand of aspens and northern hardwoods on the south shore of the lake. This 35 - acre lake boasts two small islands, and a variety of wildflowers abound in the area during warmer months. Nearby Attractions Cookson Lake is near the Indian Wild and Scenic River and the Big Island Lake Wilderness Area. Groceries, ice, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available 5 miles east on County Road 437 in the Steuben Area. Contact Info For local information, please call (906) 387-2512 or call (906) 474-6442 for general information.
Getting there
From Munising, Michigan: Drive east on M-28 towards Wetmore. Turn right (south) on Forest Highway 13 at Wetmore and drive 11.9 miles to FR 2258. Turn left (southeast) and drive about 2.5 miles to FR 2257 (just before the bridge over the Indian River). Turn left (northeast) on FR 2257 and drive 1.8 miles across the access road.
Activities
- FISHING
- CAMPING
- BOATING
- BIKING
- SWIMMING
Nearby federal campgrounds
Never miss an opening at Cookson Lake Campsites
Popular Michigan campgrounds book out months ahead — but cancellations happen every day. We watch Cookson Lake Campsites around the clock and alert you the moment a sold-out site reopens for your dates, so you don't have to keep refreshing Recreation.gov.
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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office or on Recreation.gov before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.