Overview
The campsites on the Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District are located on inland lakes and are in a rustic forest environment with few, if any amenities. 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 campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Some of these campsites offer only one site on these inland lakes allowing for a very peaceful and wilderness-like experience.
Facilities
There are two primitive campsites located on the 63 acre Jackpine Lake. This is a good lake for smallmouth bass and bluegills. Some large yellow perch and bullheads are present as well. There is no drinking water available at these sites.
Site #1 is located in an open area on top of a small hill overlooking the south side of the lake. This site is 45 ft. by 40 ft. and there is a short, but steep, road that must be driven in order to reach the campsite. This site is suitable for two families with trailers. A primitive toilet is located at this site. The swimming area at site #1 is good, but it is shared with the boat access.
Site #2 is small, wooded and located on the west side of the lake. It is 30 ft. by 20 ft. and is suitable for one family. Trailers are not recommended because of the limited turn-around space. A primitive toilet is located at this site. Swimming is not recommended at site #2.
There is an unimproved boat access located on the south side of the lake near site #1. This access is suitable for small, lightweight boats only. The access road is firm sand with some gravel. This boat access is intended for day-use only. Parking space is limited. Gasoline, groceries, fishing and camping supplies, ice and deli are available in the Thunder Lake area on CR 437, approximately seven miles to the southeast.
Lake Name
Number of Sites
Maximum number of people per site
Toilets
Boat Access
Lake Size (acres)
Jackpine Lake
2
Site 1 (16) Site 2 (8)
Yes
Back in
63
Natural Features
All of these sites are nestled in hardwood trees and pines. All of them are on small inland lakes, which offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities. There is one exception; Camp Cook, which is close to the Fishdam River and provides opportunities for good brook trout fishing.
Nearby Attractions
There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals.
Nearby Activities
- Camping
Gallery
Directions
From Cooks (about 12 miles west of Manistique or 24 miles east of Rapid River on US-2) drive north 4.4 miles on County Road 442 to CR 437. Turn left (north) on CR 437 and drive 8.7 miles to FR 2217. Turn left (northwest) on FR 2217 and drive 4.3 miles to FR 2715. Turn right (east) and drive about 0.6 mile to campsite #1. To get to site #2 continue north on FR 2217 an additional 0.5 mile to FR 8137. Turn right (north) and drive about 1 mile to campsite #2.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 45° 56′ 58.9999″ N
Longitude 86° 14′ 27.4999″ W