Elk Canoe Campground
This campground is located in the middle of the 66-mile Scenic portion of the river. The camps are set back from the river in openings within a forested setting. As paddlers travel down the river they will see many meadows and locations to fish. Some campers will park at Upper Branch Bridge and walk to the campsites from there. This is a very popular fishing area. Brochure with Map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.
More like this: first-come in Michigan · tent only in Michigan
Amenities & rules
| Equipment | Tents |
| Fees | Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Watercraft Permits - Reservations are not required, but are recommended. |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 1 to October 31 |
| Forest | Huron-Manistee National Forests |
| Fees | Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Watercraft Permits - Reservations are not required, but are recommended. |
| Rules | As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests. |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 43.9282° N, 86.0297° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 19.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Silver Lake RV Rental ↗ | 28.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor gear ↗ | 29.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Campground Review and Things to Do at Lazy Ks Campground and Canoe Livery
Trails nearby
- 2.1 miWard Hills-Irons Smt Dnr35 ↗8.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 2.2 miNCT Timber Ck Campground Spur ↗0.09 mi trail · hiking, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
- 3.8 miWard Smt Triangle0.07 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.8 miWard Hill Smt Timber Ck Dnr325 ↗4.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.9 miBowman Lake1.9 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 4.1 miNCT Bowman Lake Spur ↗0.1 mi trail · hiking, bike · national_scenic_or_historic
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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Reference
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to camp at Elk Canoe Campground?
Recreation Enhancement Act Fee - Watercraft Permits - Reservations are not required, but are recommended.
Source: Forest Service
Is Elk Canoe Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026. Season May 1 to October 31.
Source: Forest Service status
Can I bring an RV to Elk Canoe Campground?
Elk Canoe Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Forest Service
What if Elk Canoe Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Sulak Campground (0.9 mi, first-come), Timber Creek Campground (2.2 mi, first-come), and Bowman Lake Campground (4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby