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Huron-Manistee/Round Lake
Overview
The Huron-Manistee National Forests offer a serene escape at the Round Lake Recreation Area near National City. This location provides a quintessential rustic camping experience tucked away in the dense pine and hardwood forests of Northern Michigan. Unlike developed commercial resorts, this site focuses on the natural beauty of the Round Lake shoreline, offering visitors a peaceful retreat where the sounds of the wind in the trees and the calls of local wildlife take center stage for a truly immersive outdoor stay.
Location & Surroundings
Situated in the northeastern portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the park is nestled within the expansive Huron-Manistee National Forests. The surrounding landscape is defined by rolling hills, hidden kettle lakes, and the nearby Au Sable River corridor. National City serves as a quiet gateway to this wilderness, providing a sense of seclusion and tranquility that is increasingly hard to find. The park is far enough from major highways to offer silence, yet it remains accessible for those navigating the scenic backroads of Iosco County.
Amenities & Park Features
As a National Forest site, the amenities are designed to be functional while minimizing the impact on the environment. Travelers will find spacious, shaded campsites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. While the park lacks modern electric or sewer hookups, it provides essential vault toilets and potable water via traditional hand pumps. The primary draw for many is the direct access to the clear waters of Round Lake, which features a dedicated sandy swimming beach and a boat launch suitable for kayaks, canoes, and small motorized vessels.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities within a short drive of the campground. The Au Sable River is just minutes away, offering world-class trout fishing and scenic paddling opportunities that attract visitors from across the country. For those who enjoy local history and hiking, the Lumberman’s Monument provides fascinating context and stunning vistas of the river valley. Additionally, the vibrant coastal town of Tawas City is nearby, where visitors can explore the Tawas Point Lighthouse or enjoy the expansive sandy beaches of Lake Huron.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for self-contained RV travelers who prioritize natural beauty and quiet over luxury amenities. It is a perfect match for those seeking a traditional fishing retreat or a basecamp for exploring the vast trail systems of the national forest. If you enjoy waking up to the sight of the morning mist over the water and spending your evenings under a brilliant star-filled sky, this rustic Michigan gem offers the authentic, slow-paced camping experience you are looking for.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
William Werner
Small campground with two separate loops. We were at site 7 and although it is next to the water, there’s no access to it from this site unless you go to your neighbors site which does. Also, the sites neighbor a residential neighborhood so you may here screaming and yelling across the lake as we did. You may also wake up in the middle of the night to several dirt bikes cruising around as we did also. My son and I had a ok time but will not be back to this campground.
Tammy Fowler
Nice campground with good size campsites. Only bad thing is that it's kind of creepy how the locals constantly drive through on their golf carts like they are scoping things out. It's not just one or two but dozens of them throughout the day and going way above the posted speed limit.
Harry McBratnie
Nice NFS Campground, well kept. Nice space between sites. All have blacktop parking.
Frances Sanderson
Price is right. It's on a lake. (One of 7 here) there is a beach close to site 8...we were at 7. And close to Tawas, on Lake Huron. Bathrooms are just port-a-potties. Water pump available, but I wouldn't advise using it for drinking. There is a dumpster. Right beside Sand Lake.
Kate Van Rees
Not much privacy between campsites. Looks like the oak trees are getting killed by bugs. The beach is nice. Campground is right up next to residential areas.
Howdy Tech
Plenty of space. Clean. Quiet enough. Great fire pits with slide iron grill. No bug threat (August). Little walking trails around. Paved site parking. No complaints.
Tom Meerschaert
Beautiful campground right on the lake. Great views right from our campsite. Pit potties were as clean as possible. Hand pump for water which kinda looks like ginger ale. Paved road and aprons in each site. Only issue is rule enforcement. Rule 2 , campsite must be occupied first night. The two pictured just dropped and ran. No sign of them since. Either the rules don't apply to them, or they are not enforced. Unfair to campers who play by the rules. Hope they aren't the "loud generator all night" types.
Brian Wallace Jr.
Spent virtually every summer of my childhood here and absolutely loved it.
David Sisung
Great place if you like listening to generators run all night. We got here and there were several sites that just had a single tent in them with nobody staying there for a day until someone pulled in with a big camper and started there generator up. The tent was just to save the spot, so it's actually not first come first serve, it's whoever pays first and it doesn't matter if you actually stay there or not. I wouldn't call this place rustic and wouldn't recommend it for tent campers more of a better have a generator running so you can't hear your neighbors running kind of place.
Tycho Aussie
Man, this is a hidden secret of a park. It's neat and tidy, with these terrific sand bottom lakes. It's only 12 miles from Tawas and close to both water and off-road recreation options. Fishing, snowmobiling, ORV, Kite boarding, you name it. If you are looking for a primitive campground and only need a well and a pit potty, this is a good option. Campsites all have asphalt pads for campers and the road into the campground is paved the whole way.