Andrus Lake State Forest campground (views from campsite + quiet) + things to do nearby 🌳 Upper Peninsula Michigan travel blog

Hi there!

 

Andrus Lake State Forest campground is a quiet rustic campground in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula.

You might stop here to see if there’s an open campsite if you’ll be going to Whitefish Point Lighthouse for example.

 

If you’re looking for a kind of lesser known campground during your drive through the eastern part of Upper Peninsula, then you just might want to stay overnight (or more nights!) at Andrus Lake State Forest Campground.

 

 

 

First, some quick things to know about the Andrus Lake campground.

Then, a bit on how to register and pay for your campsite.

And then, a few things to do near Andrus Lake!

 

 

Things to know about Andrus Lake campground

 

1. If you’re looking for a campground that’s slightly more off-beat, you just might love camping at Andrus Lake!

 

 

2. It’s possible to get a campsite right on the lake.

 

 

3. There’s a small beach and you can swim at the lake.

 

 

4. If you bring your kayak, you can also go kayaking on the lake.

Or canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding!

 

 

5. This is a rustic campground. That means no electricity and no running water. There are no “modern” bathrooms or showers.

 

 

6. There are vault toilets.

 

 

7. There is a water pump for drinking water

 

The water pump was working in July 2020 when I tried it, although a review from June 2020 said the water was orange. So it’s probably best to bring your own drinking water just in case!

 

 

8. There’s a trash disposal spot for campers.

 

 

9. The campground is for tent camping and RV camping

 

 

10. Reservations are on a first-come first-serve basis. You will claim your campsite and make payment on-site.

 

 

11. Camping is $15 per night.

2020 fees. Check here for current cost.

 

 

12. This campground requires a Michigan recreation passport.

 

If you don’t already have one, purchasing the the annual pass at the campground for Michigan residents will cost $17 and for non-residents it will cost $34. Daily pass for non-residents is available. These are 2020 fees. Check here for current cost.

 

 

13. Andrus Lake is located off a dirt road

 

 

You can read the reviews for Andrus Lake State Forest Campground.

 

 

🌳

 

 

 

How to register and pay for your campsite at Andrus Lake campground

When you drive into the campground, you’ll immediately see the registration station. There is no person at the entry, and it’s self-registration. (Although there is a volunteer campground host that “lives” on-site.)

 

You can pull up to the registration station and read over the instructions and updated information.

 

 

You can grab a registration envelope from the small box.

 

 

And then you can go drive through the campground in search of your perfect camping spot in the state forest!

 

 

Once you’ve found the campsite you want to stay at, you can fill out the form with payment, and then deposit it into the small green post that’s next to the registration station.

 

 

And then once you’ve officially selected your campsite, you can clip your registration form to the campsite post!

 

 

 

When to add Andrus Lake to your Upper Peninsula road trip

Andrus Lake can make a perfect stop on your UP road trip if you’re doing a circle the UP type of trip.

If you have plans to go to Whitefish Point and Tahquamenon Falls (explained a little below), then Andrus Lake can be a perfect rustic campground to stay at in terms of location.

It is basically along the way if you’re driving a circle around the Upper Peninsula.

 

 

Things to do near Andrus Lake

 

1. Whitefish Point

 

Andrus Lake to Whitefish Point is about a 10 minute drive.

This is a popular spot and there will likely be many people in the summer.

At Whitefish Point, you can visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, go see (and go inside) the Whitefish Point Lighthouse, go for a long walk on the beach, see a lot of driftwood, and search for colorful agate stones on the beach. And it would be a visit to the “Graveyard of Lake Superior,” named because of the hundreds of shipwrecks that occurred in this area.

 

 

2. Vermilion Point

 

Andrus Lake to Vermilion Point is about a 20 minute drive.

This is a quieter spot.

At Vermilion Point, you can see the Vermilion life saving station, go for a long walk on the beach, see driftwood, and search for colorful rocks.

 

 

3. Tahquamenon Falls

 

Andrus Lake to Tahquamenon Falls is about a 20-30 minute drive.

There will very likely be many people here in summer. 

At Tahquamenon Falls State Park, you can visit the most popular waterfalls in all of Michigan! There are 2 main sides to Tahquamenon Falls, the Lower Falls and the Upper Falls. You can either drive between the 2, or there’s a hiking trail too. There are also campgrounds at this state park.

 

You could do Whitefish Point and Vermilion Point in one day, and you could even add Tahquamenon Falls to that day too if you wanted to make it a packed day. But in the case you want to take it easy to have plenty of time at the campground on the lake, do one activity per day, and then take it easy at Andrus Lake for the rest of the day!

 

And that’s a bit about camping at a Michigan state forest campground!

 

Also see the list of best Michigan state park campgrounds in the UP.

 

More for your UP drive:

• Places to stop on your eastern UP road trip
• Places to stop between Munising and Marquette
• Even more places to stop during your UP road trip

 

HAPPY CAMPING AT ANDRUS LAKE STATE FOREST CAMPGROUND!