Guernsey Lake Campground

Quiet peaceful and in need of care. The camp sites are larger, very large. The campground sits on the shores of Gurnesy Lake located on the county line between Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties. The real plus, this is the only campground that boarders the Sand Lakes Quiet Area and its many miles of hiking and biking trails traversing over 4 square miles of lakes, woods and solitude with no motorized vehicles. The campground is managed by the Michigan State Parks system. Like many of the state forest campgrounds it suffers from basic maintenance and care. The Michigan State Park system puts it's efforts and budget into the more popular and heavily used State Parks. The state forest campgrounds are given minimal attention. The campground does offer gravel roads and large sites that are less than level. The sites were designed for an era of tent camping and not for modern RV's. There is no electricity. Water is supplied via hand pumps and the bathrooms are pit toilets. For the modern RV none of this matters as most are self contained. For the camp fee you do receive a fire pit and a picnic table. What you really receive is a lot of wildlife, peace and quiet and beautiful views of the lake and woods. If the state took better care of the place it would get 4 stars our of 5. In the present condition 3 stars are generous.

Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground offers a serene escape in Kalkaska County, Michigan. 🏞️ Nestled amidst rolling oak and pine forested hills on Guernsey Lake's northern shore, this rustic campground managed by Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park is perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. 🏕️ With 35 campsites for tents and small trailers, including 8 walk-in sites, visitors can immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Sand Lakes Quiet Area. 🚶‍♂️🌲 The Sand Lakes Quiet Area Pathway, connecting to the North Country Trail, allows for scenic hikes with 8.5 miles of looped trails that vary from flat to very hilly terrain. 🥾🏞️ For those seeking adventure, the park offers a range of activities: cross-country skiing, fishing (catch species like largemouth bass, brown trout, perch), hiking, hunting, mountain biking, and snowshoeing in the winter. 🎣❄️ The 50-acre Guernsey Lake provides excellent fishing opportunities, and a boat launch is available. 🚣‍♂️🎣 Campers can enjoy vault toilets, potable water from a hand-pump well, and a chance to be surrounded by the tranquility of nature. 🚽🚿 Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay, and sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis without reservations. ⛺🌳 Overall, Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground offers an escape into Michigan's natural beauty, perfect for those who love outdoor activities and serene landscapes. 🏞️🌲

I grew up on this camp ground. It was our family’s go-to even before I was born. It has hours of trails. Little Gurnesy lake is full of fish. Water was great for swimming. It is rustic camping so no shower, no electricity, and the water is a pump, one located at each end of the camp grounds. It’s way out in the boonies so it’s a drive away from a lot. Perfect size for tents and small campers but it’s no RV park. I love the place but I grew up going there.

The campground is usually packed on Labor Day but it was fairly empty this year which was awesome. We had one of the best sites available and no one right next to us. The water pumps need better marking and the stairs need some updates at many of the sites. Beyond those couple of things, everything was alot of fun. Picked up some trash people left behind. Lots of people seem to be leaving trash behind sadly... 😞

It is very rustic but it's clean and you feel that your not crowded because the sites are nicely spaced. It's mostly quiet and the small lake has good fishing. We come a couple times a year and love it.

When I was a child. My family would camp here. We would swim, pick wild blue berries, toast marshmallows on a campfire. It was a wonderful place for families to go. I'm grown now and I would definitely love to take my family to this childhood place with great memories. Even as a child I didn't like the outhouses. 🤧 Other than that, everything else was awesome 😎