State Forest · Michigan
Garey Lake Trail Camp
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- Group rates apply; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
- Elevation
- 942 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile weak · Verizon weak · AT&T good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 231-276-9511
Site map
The imagery of the campground. Press and hold the map to drop your own pins and notes; the operator publishes no site points here. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
This charming trail camp offers group camping in the middle of what was once an apple orchard. The campground consists of a group camping area designed for equestrians riding the Shore-to-Shore Trail, a 420-mile trail system open to hiking and horseback riding, that stretches east-west from Empire to Oscoda with two additional northern and southern spur trails.
The group area has a maximum capacity of 200 people. Amenities include picket poles and a submersible pump that requires a 5,000-watt generator. The campground is located 8 miles southeast of Empire via M-72, Plowman Road and Pettengill Road.
If the group will utilize multiple campgrounds along the trail, please contact the Cadillac Operations Service Center at 231-775-9727, ext. 6006.
This campground is maintained with the help of the Michigan Trail Riders Association.
A group camp (equestrian - group); group rates apply. Open all year; the road may not be plowed in winter. First come, first served; register at the campground kiosk on the day you arrive. Vault toilets and a hand-pump well for drinking water; no electricity or hookups. One camping unit and six people per site, 15 nights at most. Managed from Interlochen State Park (231-276-9511).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27° | 17° | -3° | 45° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 28° | 17° | 2° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 37° | 26° | 10° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 48° | 34° | 17° | 74° | 7 of 11 |
| May | 59° | 44° | 30° | 78° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 68° | 55° | 44° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 75° | 63° | 54° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 75° | 64° | 57° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 59° | 50° | 81° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 56° | 46° | 36° | 70° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 35° | 19° | 61° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 26° | 8° | 57° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Empire Bluff Trail · 5.8 mi as the crow flies
Empire Bluff Trail 0.8 mi Hike · Drive there - Otter Creek Loop Trail · 6.4 mi as the crow flies
Platte Plains Trail Otter Creek Loop 4.5 mi Hike · Drive there - Platte Plains Trail Otter Creek Loop · 6.4 mi as the crow flies
Platte Plains Trail Otter Creek Loop 4.5 mi Hike · Drive there - Bass Lake Loop Trailhead · 6.5 mi as the crow flies
Platte Plains Trail Bass Lake Loop 3.5 mi Hike · Drive there - Heritage Trail - Bar Lake Road Trailhead · 6.6 mi as the crow flies
SB Heritage Trail Paved 12 mi Hike · Drive there
All 23 trails in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- Garey Lake State Forest Campground · State Forest · 0 mi · 12 sites
- Empire Township Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 3 mi · 60 sites
- Lake Ann State Forest Campground · State Forest · 6 mi · 30 sites
- White Pine Backcountry Campground Permits · National Park Service · 7 mi · 7 sites
- Veterans Memorial State Forest Campground · State Forest · 8 mi · 24 sites
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.