House Lake State Forest Campground

We chose House Lake State Forest Campground for our first time dry camping. The sites we large and reasonably level. Facilities, though rustic, were well maintained and clean. Well water is available by a hand pump at the campground entrance; it is cool, clean and pleasant. There is no electricity and no dump station available. We used our inverter generator during the day and early evening as did several other campers.

Nearby activities are limited. The gravel/dirt roads are good for exploring by bicycle. House Lake itself is pristine and undeveloped. There is a nice hiking trail around the lake. Nearby Trout Lake has a beach and was more crowded as swimming is the main attraction.

Our trip was on a weekend in June. While there were many families at both House Lake and Trout Lake there were a few younger folks who were certainly having a good time. Boisterous neighbors who were fond of fireworks were really the only downside of our trip. This sort of activity is not what we've experienced at Michigan state park campgrounds which generally have a more consistent presence by the Department of Natural Resources staff.

This is a good place to set up camp, relax and enjoy the forest and inland lakes that make Michigan so special.