U.S. Forest Service · Huron-Manistee National Forests · Michigan

Bowman Lake Campground

The campground is walk-in only, with carry-in canoe access. This quiet and secluded campground is very popular with fisherman and hunters. 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.

Closed for the seasonBooking not published4 sitesFreeTents only

More like this: first-come in Michigan · free in Michigan · tent only in Michigan

Amenities & rules

EquipmentTents
FeesNo Fee

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonMay 1 to October 31
ForestHuron-Manistee National Forests
FeesNo Fee
RulesAs 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.

Huron-Manistee National Forests recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Bowman Lake Campground20°30°40°50°60°70°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 23.1°F averageFebruary: 24.9°F averageMarch: 32.6°F averageApril: 43.6°F averageMay: 55.0°F averageJune: 63.9°F averageJuly: 68.3°F averageAugust: 67.0°F averageSeptember: 60.3°F averageOctober: 48.4°F averageNovember: 37.6°F averageDecember: 27.8°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Ludington 4 SE, 21 miles from the campground at 690 feet, station USC00204954 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. The shaded span is the published season, May 1 to October 31.

Getting there

Coordinates43.8912° N, 85.9677° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗20.6 mi
RV sales & serviceSilver Lake RV Rental ↗29.7 mi
Outdoor gearOutdoor gear ↗30.3 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Bowman Lake | Bowman Lake Campground | Glacier National Park | Polebridge Mercantile

Trails nearby

Forest Service trail data →

Trailheads within three miles

Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.

Guidebooks for Michigan

We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.

  • Best Tent Camping: Michigan
    Matt Forster, 2015
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Camping Michigan
    Kevin Revolinski, 2013
    Find at Bookshop.org
  • Rail-trails Michigan & Wisconsin
    Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, 2017
    Find at Bookshop.org

Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to camp at Bowman Lake Campground?

Nothing. Bowman Lake Campground is listed as free. No Fee

Source: Forest Service

Is Bowman Lake Campground open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 26, 2026. Season May 1 to October 31.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Bowman Lake Campground have?

4 sites.

Source: Forest Service

Can I bring an RV to Bowman Lake Campground?

Bowman Lake Campground is listed for tents only.

Source: Forest Service

What if Bowman Lake Campground is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Bowman Bridge (1.3 mi), Gleasons Landing (2.7 mi), and Sulak Campground (3.2 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby