Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Indian Lake (South Shore)
Overview
Indian Lake State Park South Shore Unit offers a premier camping experience on the shores of the fourth-largest inland lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This park serves as a serene retreat for those looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Northwoods. While the North Shore unit is more rustic, the South Shore is modernized, providing a comfortable and accessible environment for recreational vehicle travelers. It is widely recognized for its clean facilities and friendly atmosphere, making it a favorite for repeat visitors.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just five miles west of Manistique, the park is surrounded by a lush landscape of maple, birch, and beech trees. The South Shore sits directly on the lakefront, offering campers immediate access to the water's edge. The geography is characterized by gently sloping terrain and sandy shorelines, creating a picturesque setting that feels secluded yet remains conveniently close to local town services and supplies. The cool lake breezes provide a natural respite during the warm summer months, enhancing the outdoor living experience.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground provides over 140 sites, including several with 50-amp electrical hookups and level, paved pads. Facilities are well-maintained and include several essential features for RV travelers:
- Modern restrooms with hot showers
- A convenient sanitation dump station
- A sandy swimming beach and boat launch
Children will enjoy the onsite playground, while the broad roads throughout the loops make maneuvering larger trailers and motorhomes relatively straightforward for guests.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
No visit is complete without seeing Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring), located just a short drive away at Palms Book State Park, where a hand-cranked raft takes you across emerald waters. The nearby Manistique Boardwalk provides scenic views of Lake Michigan and the local lighthouse. Anglers will appreciate the lake’s reputation for walleye and northern pike, while nature enthusiasts can explore the vast wetlands and birdwatching opportunities at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge located nearby.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is an excellent choice for families and traditional RVers who prefer the amenities of a state park over a primitive site. Its layout is particularly friendly for those with medium-sized rigs looking for paved, level parking. It is ideal for travelers who want a quiet, water-centric vacation where they can transition easily from a day of fishing to a night by the campfire. If you value a balance of wooded privacy and community connection, this park fits your travel style perfectly.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
User Reviews
Bill H
It was pretty sparsely populated on the west side. There are two separate roads. Staff were friendly and helpful. It rained Saturday - we went day drinking, Mackinaw Trail Winery, Flatiron Brewery, Tap 21. We have visited this area for 4 years.
MEbrickCo
Excellent campground and park! Tons of things to do, great plots, kind people and staff, clean bathrooms and showers, water at will and ice and firewood for sale. Check it out for sure!
David Skop
Nice park with great staff. Lakefront views at night are amazing. Restrooms and showers are in good shape. Canoes are available for use. I visited in mid-June, and there were lots of bugs, so bring the spray.
David Boyer
This is a very nice lakefront campground. Clean and well maintained. Views of the lake can be completely eliminated by campers who park parallel to the roadway, rather than backing in normally. We initially has very good views of the water, however 4 lakefront campsites combined this way for a reunion type event and created a solid wall of trailers that totally blocked any view of the water. To be fair, the sites are quite wide, and perhaps this is permissible, but be advised. Site 31 was extremely unlevel grass pull through which sloped uphill. My six point auto level system could not adjust to the slope, and I had to relocate to the front of the site. Even there, it stretched the limits of my system. Those without a large number of leveling blocks could be out of luck. We camped at Indian Lake State Park in a Fifth Wheel.
Sonofabutcher
Nice campground! Reasonable rates. Accommodates all size rigs. Many lakeside sites. Most sites include electric. Water and dump station onsite. Clean bathrooms and showers.