French Farm Lake Campground
Dept. Natural Resources
Write a Review French Farm Lake Road Mackinaw City, MI 49701 Official WebsiteGPS: 45.764, -84.7684
Overview of French Farm Lake Campground
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Katie on 7/15/2024
Longest RV Reported: 19 feet
Reported by Two Plus Lu on 7/18/2017
Number of Sites 6
Elevation 590 ft / 179 m
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Q&A - Ask the Community about French Farm Lake Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly.
Sol Searching Phoenix asked on 9/16/2021
Can a 38ft long, 13 ft tall, class A with a toad make it to this boondocking site?
Reviews of French Farm Lake Campground 16 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 10 Users
Last reported 7/15/2024
Confirmed by 4 Users
Last reported 5/16/2021
“Scared But Quiet”
Reviewed 7/15/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 6 |
Overall Rating
Long dirt road near the public beach where there are 6 sites — most are taken up by long term campers who are no where to be seen (scary) I was in site 6 which is near the lake and a big bog, I’ve camped here before but this last time I was really spooked out by all the noises and there being no one around. The loon calls are pretty b... more
Long dirt road near the public beach where there are 6 sites — most are taken up by long term campers who are no where to be seen (scary)
I was in site 6 which is near the lake and a big bog, I’ve camped here before but this last time I was really spooked out by all the noises and there being no one around. The loon calls are pretty beautiful and there is plenty of room for tents and RVs. But yeah I scared myself and slept in the car
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Verizon 4G
Katie would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Sketchy. Not recommend for faint of hearts.”
Reviewed 8/15/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Overall Rating
I Pulled In At 2.00 Pm, Nobody In The Woods At This Time. Very Narrow Road , Cannot Fit Two Trucks At The Time on the road. Deep Woods, Quite Sketchy … Did not feel safe all. I ended up In the state park nearby. Sorry, i would not recommend.
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Verizon 5G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“people actually LIVE here!”
Reviewed 4/27/2022
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 1 |
Overall Rating
I been here three times The first time so crowded I had to piggyback off the very last site across from the lake as it looked like no one was there in spite of the tents. 2nd time I got to the first space, which was nice, tho my night was disrupted by a very large rowdy group halfway to the lake, I did ask them if they were on designa... more
I been here three times
The first time so crowded I had to piggyback off the very last site across from the lake as it looked like no one was there in spite of the tents. 2nd time I got to the first space, which was nice, tho my night was disrupted by a very large rowdy group halfway to the lake, I did ask them if they were on designated sites as it looked to me they expanded into the forest and were not, that is probably why they choose to keep me up half the night. wow.
I also noticed there are only FIVE designated sites yet people were camped ALL over the place. i did write to the DNR as it seems some people were living there all summer in spite of the rule of a 14-day limit, the site I was on in the back was littered with used TP and crap piles,,, some people have to ruin things for others.
I wont be back
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Reviewed 8/2/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 0 |
Overall Rating
As others have stated, not the greatest site. A bit too much “Deliverance” vibe for us.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A popular campsite ”
Reviewed 6/30/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
We were there on June 29, all 7 numbered sites were full, we parked an unnumbered site, quiet place, no cell signal of T-mobile.
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T-Mobile
ingrid would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice spot”
Reviewed 5/16/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 5 |
Overall Rating
One lane dirt road to get in but, sites are separated. Road not for the faint of heart
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AT&T 4G
KathyTebo would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Overnight stay near the bridge”
Reviewed 10/2/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 1 |
Overall Rating
7 authorized free campsites with many other spots that are not allowed to be camped in, but obviously are. Not very clean or maintained often. No facilities at all. Could be nice with a little maintenance and enforcement of the rules that are plainly posted but ignored. OK to stop and spend the night mid-week or off season but not ... more
7 authorized free campsites with many other spots that are not allowed to be camped in, but obviously are. Not very clean or maintained often. No facilities at all. Could be nice with a little maintenance and enforcement of the rules that are plainly posted but ignored. OK to stop and spend the night mid-week or off season but not really a place to spend extended summer weekend. There was at least one site with obvious long term home set up. Mid week, mid September only one site open at 2 PM.
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Verizon 4G
Scoooter would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A nice quiet place, close to some awesome activities. ”
Reviewed 8/7/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | 3 |
Overall Rating
There are 7 marked sites and all seem to be pretty big. We arrived around 5pm and found no open spots. We spent some time at the nearby Headlands International Dark Sky Observatory (which if you are in the area you should really check out). While there a family we had seen in the campground arrived and recognized our van and told us th... more
There are 7 marked sites and all seem to be pretty big. We arrived around 5pm and found no open spots. We spent some time at the nearby Headlands International Dark Sky Observatory (which if you are in the area you should really check out). While there a family we had seen in the campground arrived and recognized our van and told us they had just left their spot so we headed that way and got the last marked site for the night. We van camp and wanted to explore the area so we filled out the permit paperwork and pitched our tent to mark our site. We then went around Mackinaw City and back to Headlands for a beautiful night sky filled with stars, the shadow of the Milky Way and evening saw about a half dozen shooting stars. We got back into the campground around midnight and there were people set up everywhere you could park a car off the road or pitch a tent. Most in sites marked for no camping. We even had a car with a roof top tent in the level site by our tent. Like I said though, the site ms are pretty big and it didn’t bother me a bit. Would stay again.
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AT&T 4G
Traveller_RN would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A gem!!”
Reviewed 10/17/2019
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 6 |
Overall Rating
This place is beautiful. During the third week of October, I was the only one out here. It was absolutely wonderful-and so close to Mackinaw City! Despite Google maps trying to send me down the wrong trail, I found the campsites. Do not follow where Google maps tells you to go! Follow the signs for the North Country Trail once you turn... more
This place is beautiful. During the third week of October, I was the only one out here. It was absolutely wonderful-and so close to Mackinaw City! Despite Google maps trying to send me down the wrong trail, I found the campsites. Do not follow where Google maps tells you to go! Follow the signs for the North Country Trail once you turn onto French Farm Lake road. That gets you to the campground!
The sites are remarkably private, except sites 5 & 6 are right beside each other. But to give you an idea of how far apart most are- site 3 is a full 1/2 mile (wooded & hilly, no less!) from site 6! It’s a piece of paradise, and is this boondocker’s dream.
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Verizon 4G
Sajoko would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“bad idea”
Reviewed 6/14/2019
Overall Rating
We looked into this place upon recommendation... never again. It's a rough 2 track, at best, with low canopy and minimal chance for any RV to survive the drive. This may be ok for a tent experience, but otherwise, not a great option.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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1 review not included in the overall rating
The reviews below are not up to Campendium's standards for quality and reliability and therefore are not counted toward the overall star rating. Please see our FAQ page for more information.
Reviewed 8/22/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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| Days stayed: | 4 |
| Site Number: | 1 |
Overall Rating
Been going up there since 1972 its always been quiet and great fishing, now that DNR post it as free camping theres homeless people living back there. There has been a camper parked for 4 weeks and a tent for 4 weeks sitting empty people leaving trash everywhere [we picked up a trash bag full just at the boat docking. Traffic going in... more
Been going up there since 1972 its always been quiet and great fishing, now that DNR post it as free camping theres homeless people living back there. There has been a camper parked for 4 weeks and a tent for 4 weeks sitting empty people leaving trash everywhere [we picked up a trash bag full just at the boat docking. Traffic going in and out there at 2 and 3 in the morning we watched a drug deal go down a couple fighting for 6 hours with a gun involved. People are camping everywhere. I'm so disappointed you guys, they ruined a perfect campsite. I went there twice this year once with my girlfriend who l brag french lake about couldnt even stay there for homeless people having the spots just got back with the guys i go up with and stay back there to fish and again no site untill our 2nd day there ,im so ashame of the way DNR destroyed it even the lake we we picked trash up and people bragging about living there not sure if I'll ever go back and I've been going up there for 38 yrs.
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Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Be the first to add a note for French Farm Lake Campground!
Boondocking at French Farm Lake – Mackinaw City, Michigan
We’ve had our eyes on French Farm Lake since entering Michigan. There aren’t many free camping options in the state, so when we spotted this one on FreeCampsites.net, we knew it was a must-see. It...
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- water access
Pets
- pets
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