About Indian Lake State Park
Indian Lake State Park sits on the shore of 8,400-acre Indian Lake near Manistique, one of the largest inland lakes in the Upper Peninsula and known for warming up faster than Lake Michigan or Lake Superior — a real draw for UP campers who want comfortable summer swimming. The park is split into two units on opposite sides of the lake, giving campers a choice of settings.
Camping is available on both sides of the lake: the South Shore Modern Campground has 145 electric sites (some 50-amp), while the West Shore Semi-Modern Campground has 72 sites with 20-amp electric and vault toilets, open first-come-first-served from mid-June through Labor Day — 217 sites in all, plus day-use facilities including a boat launch and swim beach. It's a popular base for anglers chasing walleye, perch, and northern pike, as well as families looking for warmer water than the UP's Great Lakes shorelines typically offer.
| Unit | Sites | Hookups | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Shore Modern Campground | 145 sites | Electric (some 50-amp) | Families, fishing, swimming |
| West Shore Semi-Modern Campground | 72 sites | Electric (20-amp), vault toilets | Anglers, mid-June–Labor Day only |
Campground Map
Warm-Water Swimming & Fishing
The park's signature feature is Indian Lake itself — its shallow, sun-warmed water makes it one of the more comfortable swimming lakes in the Upper Peninsula, while its size and depth variation support good populations of walleye, perch, and northern pike for anglers.
How to Get a Reservation
The 6-Month Booking Window
Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, Indian Lake State Park opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com.
Set a CampDrop Alert
If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at Indian Lake.
What to Know Before You Go
Hookups & Site Types
The South Shore Modern Campground offers 20/30-amp electric service (some 50-amp) across its 145 sites. The West Shore Semi-Modern Campground has 20-amp electric sites with vault toilets only (no showers) and is open first-come-first-served, mid-June through Labor Day.
Season
The park typically operates May through October; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.
Pets
Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.
Two Units
Indian Lake State Park is split into two units on opposite shores of the lake — confirm which unit your reserved site is in when booking, since amenities can differ slightly between them.
Directions
Indian Lake State Park is located at 8970 W County Road 442, Manistique, MI 49854, in Schoolcraft County, a short drive from downtown Manistique.