Thompson Campgrounds

See also: Driftwood Shores (under Lodging)

INDIAN LAKE STATE PARK
(906) 341-2355. (800) 44-PARKS. Online
State park camping on the U.P.'s 4th biggest lake is in two areas. The "South Unit" includes the day-use area and the modern SOUTH SHORE CAMPGROUND with 145 sites. (Some are new pull-through sites.) They are in a grassy, rather suburban setting with little privacy, right on the lake, adjoining the day-use area, boat launch, and sandy beach. With electrical upgrades, some sites now have 20, 30 and 50 amp service ($24/night); others have 20 and 30 amp ($22/night). All sites are $16 in the off-season. South Shore can fill on Memorial Day weekend, but most of the time there are spaces for last-minute campers. To avoid disappointment in July and August, reserve in advance. Two mini-cabins ($45/night) are for rent.
аааThe semi-modern WEST SHORE CAMPGROUND has 72 secluded sites under mature trees ($16/night), farther from the lake. There's no swimming and no boat launch, but the small picnic area is charming. This campground lacks showers and flush toilets but has 20 amp electricity. It's now available on with or without reservations. For $2 per shower campers can shower at the South Shore Campground.

8970W CR 442, 6 miles west of Manistique. At the blinker light in Thompson, turn north off U. S. 2 onto M-149. South Unit is in 3 1/2 miles, then 3 miles east on CR 442. Follow signs to west unit. Or from Manistique, take CR 442/Deer St. by continuing straight where M-94 turns north and follow signs. State Park sticker required: $10/year for Michigan residents, $8 day/$29/year for others. Handicap accessible: at South Unit 1 shower building and 12 sites. Day-use buildings are accessible. Skid pier gives water access. Dogs permitted on 6-foot leash.

WOODSTAR BEACH CAMPGROUND
(906) 341-6514
In an open, grassy, very quiet area right on a Lake Michigan beach are 37 RV sites ($24/night) on one gravel loop. They are served by 30 amp electric, 2 showers, and 2 toilets. 8 primitive tent sites ($19/night) are in a separate area. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. There are a playground, horseshoes, and a laundry. Site sizes vary, can handle up to 40' rig. For excellent birding, see nearby Driftwood Resort (above). Well suited to canoes and kayaks.

1786 S. Little Harbor Rd., south a ways from the Driftwood Resort. Open May 15-Oct. 1. Not handicap accessible: grass, no hardened surfaces. Pets on 6-foot leash.

CAMP 7 LAKE RECREATION AREA/ HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST
(906) 341-5666. fs.usda.gov/hiawatha. 1/3 of sites reservable: (877) 444-6777. recreation.gov
Equidistant to Indian Lake and the many resort lakes south of Munising off Forest Highway 13, this developed Hiawatha National Forest campground has 39 wooded campsites on 3 loops. They are by a 60-acre lake with a big, sandy swimming beach, picnic area, and a fully accessible fishing pier, a popular place for kids. The Van Winkle Lake Trail is a 1.8-mile loop from near the boat launch to a lake where swans and many other waterfowl are seen.
Kids' Fishing Day here on the Free Fishing Weekend (generally the first weekend in June) is huge, with 300 to 400 in attendance. Call for info. Campground hosts provide kids with poles and bait all season. Fishing is mainly for rainbow trout. There are 2 trout ponds.

Most easily reached by taking Forest Highway 13 north from Nahma, and turning east on hard-surfaced CR 442. From Indian Lake (about 12 miles), go west on CR 442 until you reach CR 437, then go north to CR 443 (gravel), then west 5 miles to Camp 7. Open from mid-May to mid-September. $12/night camping. Completely accessible. Dogs OK on 6' leash.

Return to Thompson

THOMPSON
POINTS OF INTEREST

Big Spring (Kitch-iti-kipi). One of Michigan's most enchanting sites, this deep, clear spring in a pine-cedar forest is viewable from a raft visitors pull themselves ... more

Christmas Tree Ship Memorial. Legendary sinking of schooner carrying Christmas trees to Chicago in 1912 memorialized in this shoreline park ... more

Thompson State Hatchery. Millions of trout, walleye, and salmon call this home until they're big enough to stock Midwestern lakes and streams. Visitors can view the indoor tanks, outdoor raceways, and show ponds with giant trout. Signs and photos show the destruction and restoration of fish habitat in the U.P. ... more

Indian Lake State Park. The lake here is up to six miles long and three to four miles wide, fourth largest inland lake in the U.P. Good walleye and perch fishing. The shallow lake warms up early for swimming ... more

Rainey Wildlife Area. Boardwalks and an observation platform provide good bird-watching perches on the northeast side of Indian Lake. Songbirds are abundant in spring ... more

Bishop Baraga Mission at Indian Lake. This peaceful park on Indian Lake commemorates the "Snowshoe Priest" with a memorial chapel and a version of an Odawa bark house he had built at his mission here. There's a lakefront observation deck, too. ... more

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