Whelan Lake Campground

A lovely campsite right above the lake. It's right where it says it is on the USFS map, GPS will try to take you on a squirrelly route. I used a mix of GPS and the USFS maps to get here. The USFS says there is a pit toilet, but there is not. There was a bucket in a milk crate sitting out in the open. I bring my own bathroom, so, not an issue.

The roads were a bit rough, but I made it in my Kia Soul OK. If it had been raining for a few days, I might not go here without 4WD.

There is a single campsite apart from everyone else, and the rest are in a row around the lake. They each have a path down to the lake. At the time I was there fallen wood for fires was scarce.

There is traffic from locals that drive by occasionally, and you will hear the occasional gunshot.

When we first showed up we were skeptical, the "entrance" we were taken to was unmarked but it was right at the coordinates listed for the location. Me and my buddy both have 4wd so it wasn't a worry. I'm sure you could make it through in a Subaru if needed. That being said there is another entrance that is a bit further and a bit longer of a drive but it is much less muddy and rutted.
When we got to the sites we were surprised by how large they were and easily fit our two cars and chairs and could have easily fit multiple tents. Some spots have fire rings and other just have spots where others have had fires.
The listing claims there are toilets. We were unable to locate them but that doesn't mean they aren't there somewhere.
The cell coverage was spotty but at our spot with Verizon I was able to send and receive texts and snap chats however my buddy with Sprint was unable to send or receive anything.

These sites are situated around Lake Whelan, a 13-acre lake with some fishing available. The sites are level and a couple have pull-through paths for bigger rigs. The Forest Service does a fair job of cleaning up after thoughtless pigs crap on the sites. We came here earlier in the year and saw lots of garbage in the fire rings. This time (late September) it looks like someone had cleaned the fire rings and even raked around site #1. Very nice.

The road back here is a little rough, might get gooey during heavy rains. We were here opening day of bow season and only two other sites were occupied. Very quiet, minimal traffic, no parties. Occasional dirt bikes and ORV's on the main road, no big deal.

The Pere Marquette River is very close and there are some closed fire roads that make for great walking to some abandoned campsites. We spoke to a local who said there used to be many places to drive very close to the river but the Forest Service had to close them due to garbage left in the woods and rutting of roads.

You could fish in the river, but it doesn't look like this section is passable by canoe or kayak.

Yes, we would camp here again, but here in Michigan there are so many places it might be a while!