Green Lake Rustic Campground

A buddy and I wanted to launch our kayaks and do the paddle through the chain of lakes north of Chelsea, MI to Hell, MI. Bruin Lake modern camp ground wasn't open, so we booked a quick overnight at the Green Lake Rustic campground. The camp is pretty basic with some nice Lakeview sites on a big loop. My buddy and I like to hammock camp and we found a great hang site at site GL4. We were there is early April, so temps were pretty frosty and there were probably 7-8 tent sites booked. Good gear solves all weather problems. Only disappointment was a beat up camper held together by duct tape and bailing wire rolled in and parked next to us. There was zero activity at the camper, but the windows were taped over and the camper was running a generator in the tent section, killing the rustic vibe. There are other modern camps nearby, so why they rolled up on this camp, who knows? It's suspect that they even paid at the self registration stand. Luckily the sheriff did a well check and got the camper to turn off the generator. Once it was quiet, the rest of the evening by the fire was wonderful. Frogs chirping and the forest creaking. Not many amenities. Pit toilets, online and self registration, small boat ramp and just far enough off the main road to damper road noise. I wouldn't stay there a week, but a quick weekend trip is just what you need to cleanse the soul. $20 per night.

Great place but it depends on your spot, mine had good privacy (which is what I'm looking for in a 'rustic' campground). The restroom was very clean and you have access to the lake.

Close to town on the main highway, with ample buffer zones. Loved the Sandhill Cranes morning alarm. Pit toilets, hand pump for ground water, nice fire pits, and picnic tables at each of the two dozen sites. Open site availability tags on the posts conflicted with the open sites on the reservations website - very confusing.

I camped here for a July weekend, and it was mostly peaceful and not crowded. The campground has little to offer. There is no beach, no lake access other than the tiny boat launch, no playground, and no electricity. It is a typical rustic campground and a great place to relax. There is traffic noise from the nearby highway, but it really wasn't that bad. I reserved campsite GL12 for one reason. It is the only campsite to have direct lake access for a small canoe or kayak, which I desired over having to lug my canoe to the boat launch. While many other sites overlook the lake, they sit high atop a hill and have no access. There are also no shore fishing points anywhere along the campground, so unless you have a boat, don't plan on fishing very easily. The lake isn't very good for fishing anyway, mostly small perch and blue gill. While there are some campsites that offer privacy, GL12 seemed to be wide open. There was a large family camping right across from me, and I don't think they have ever camped before. The mom just kept yelling and screaming at everyone the whole time, because her kids were bored.

We spent a wonderfully relaxing weekend. Excellent hiking trails that well maintained. No showers, but clean toilets. Quiet and cozy for winter camping.