About Gooseneck Lake Campsites
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 will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. The best swimming opportunities are located at site 3 and site 4. Site 1 does NOT have good swimming conditions. Site 3 has good swimming conditions, however there are high banks at this site that block the view of the shoreline from the site. Site 4 has a very shallow beach area An improved public boat access is located near site 1. A toilet is nearby, which is shared with site 1. The lake offers a good fishery of walleye, large and smallmouth bass, rock bass, sunfish and northern pike. Facilities There is NO drinking water available at these sites. Primitive toilets are available at the campsites: Site 1 has a primitive toilet, which is located and shared with the public using the boat launch Site 3 has a primtive toilet. Lake Name: Gooseneck Lake Number of Sites: 3 Maximum Number of People Per Site: Site 1 and 4 (8), Site 3 (16) Toilets: Yes at sites 1 and 3 Boat Access: Back-In near Site 1 Lake Size (acres): 123 Natural Features Gooseneck Lake is an extremely busy lake with private land and cottages surrounding most of its shores. As a result, pontoon boats, jet skis and water skiers and even occasional fishing boats can be seen and heard on the lake. There are three campsites on Gooseneck Lake: Site 1 is set back in a wooded area. Although its small, it is very nice. It is 40 ft. x 30 ft. with rough road access. It is suitable for a single family, but trailers are not recommended. Site 3 is an excellent camping area at the top of a small sandy bank. It is an open area, 100 ft
How to Get There
From the Intersection of US-2 and Forest Highway 13 (about 14 miles east of Rapid River); drive north 8.4 miles on Highway 13 to CR 442. Turn right (east) and drive 8 miles to FR 2218. Turn left (north) and drive 1.6 miles to FR 2218EA or 0.8 mile to FR 2218G.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Moisture-wicking T-shirt
Light color, breathable.
- 🩳
Lightweight shorts or pants
Quick-dry preferred — sweat dries fast.
- 🧢
Brimmed sun hat
Better than a cap for back-of-neck protection.
- 🥾
Trail runners
Breathable mesh uppers.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Gooseneck Lake Campsites
Heading to Gooseneck Lake Campsites? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
No central reservation system listed for Gooseneck Lake Campsites. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/273333) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
From the Intersection of US-2 and Forest Highway 13 (about 14 miles east of Rapid River); drive north 8.4 miles on Highway 13 to CR 442. Turn right (east) and drive 8 miles to FR 2218. Turn left (north) and drive 1.6 miles to FR 2218EA or 0.8 mile to FR 2218G.
How do I contact Gooseneck Lake Campsites?
You can reach the park at phone: 906-474-6442 OR 906-387-2512.
References & Official Resources
