Clare County, Michigan: Mud Lake State Forest Campground

June 2024, weekdays, 2 nights, campsite 5

We arrived at this campground from the southwest. The roads after M-66 are dirt; the distance on dirt roads was just under 5 miles when we arrived at the campground. When we left, we traveled southeast on M-115, and the distance on dirt roads traveling that direction was about the same.

 

Lake view from campsite 5 in Mud Lake State Forest

This is a state forest campground with 8 campsites. It has a fresh water hand pump, an outhouse, and a dirt boat ramp. The self-registration cost was $20 per night at the time of our stay. We arrived on a Thursday afternoon, and the park was empty except for one vehicle at the boat ramp.

Campsite 5 in Mud Lake State Forest Campground

Campsite 5 and more

Campsites 5 and 6 are the only sites with a view of the lake. Although the view from campsite 6 is more open than it is from site 5, we chose site 5, as it is a larger campsite with a bit more privacy. The campsite on the other side of site 6 (I do not recall if it was 7 or 8) is a private site on the lake side; however, the lake is not visible from that campsite, as it is not as close to the water. Campsite 3 is also a great site, in terms of privacy and space. The site is open in the back and overlooks the meadow.

Campsite 5 in Mud Lake State Forest Campground
Below: looking toward site 6

We were glad that campsite 4 was empty during our stay, as the fire pit on that campsite is on the edge, close to our lot. The drive/parking area for campsite 4 is a ways away, next to trees on the other edge of the lot.