Marion Lake Campground

in Ottawa National Forest

The numbers that decide it

Recreation.gov publishes no site-level detail for this campground, so we cannot say what length of rig it takes. Call the managing office before committing to it in a large vehicle.

Site-level detail from Recreation.gov, checked 2026-08-05. Where a field says “not published”, the agency has not published it — it does not mean zero.

Marion Lake Campground

Marion Lake Campground, located just 4 miles east of Watersmeet, MI, on the Watersmeet Ranger District, offers tranquility and beauty not often found in other high use campgrounds. Designed to take advantage of their location, lakeside spurs provide grand views of the south and west shores, making each sunset a memorable experience. All sites are spaced with natural vegetation for screening, providing an excellent chance for privacy and solitude. This campground, consisting of three main camping loops with a total of 39 campsites and a well used group camping site, provides drive-in sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes. Each site offers an accessible wood table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Five pairs of vault toilet facilities are spaced throughout the campground, while drinking water is provided at centrally located hand pumps and pressurized faucets in each camping loop. Adjacent to the campground is a sandy beach and day use area. Also adjacent to the campground are two boat landings, which provide access to a variety of game fish.

Before you go

Season

May 17 – September 30

Fees

$25 a night per campsite, $100 a night for the group campsite, the group campsite must be reserved through the Recreation.gov at 1-888-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov .

Hours

24 hours – self pay

Restrictions

Fees shown are for the summer recreation period when full services are provided. During the early spring and late fall when no services are provided the fees at some areas are not charged. Camping in a developed recreation site is allowed for a period not longer than 14 days, except as otherwise posted. After this time, you must move to another campground or dispersed site for at least 24 hours. Campers must occupy the site the first night. Eight people and 2 motorized vehicles are allowed per campsite with a maximum of one RV or camper trailer and two tents per camping site or three tents per camping site.

Scenic drives that pass close

Make it a night on a better road

Byway plans the drive in — real stops, real weather, nothing invented.