State Forest · Michigan
Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 35
- Hookups
- 35 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Boat launch
- Yes
- Elevation
- 1,040 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 2
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 231-922-5270
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 rustic state forest campground, nestled on Guernsey Lake's north shore amidst oak and pine hills, offers 35 campsites for tents and small trailers, including 8 walk-in sites. The adjacent Sand Lakes Quiet Area is perfect for nature enthusiasts, hikers and anglers. Guernsey Lake is 50 acres and has a maximum depth of 64" feet, and anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, brown trout, perch and sunfish.
From the campground, visitors can access the 8.5-mile Sand Lakes Quiet Area Pathway, a moderate looped trail with varied terrain, that connects to the North Country Trail. Nearby, you'll find the Muncie Lake Pathway and Vasa Pathway.
The campground is located 8 miles west of Kalkaska via Island Lake Road and Campground Road.
35 rustic campsites, $20 a night. 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 Traverse City State Park (231-922-5270).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25° | 13° | -14° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 12° | -9° | 47° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 38° | 23° | 7° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 52° | 33° | 9° | 81° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 66° | 44° | 26° | 80° | 2 of 11 |
| June | 72° | 53° | 40° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 79° | 61° | 52° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 60° | 51° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 73° | 55° | 41° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 55° | 43° | 31° | 73° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 40° | 31° | 12° | 60° | 9 of 10 |
| December | 32° | 21° | 1° | 59° | 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.
Nearby campgrounds
- Forks State Forest Campground · State Forest · 5 mi · 9 sites
- Rapid River Trail Camp · State Forest · 7 mi
- Schecks Place Trail Group Campground · State Forest · 7 mi
- Whitewater Township Park Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 8 mi · 55 sites
- Schecks Place State Forest Campground · State Forest · 8 mi · 30 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.