CampgroundsDB

Council Lake Camping Area

Its sites are first-come, first-served (no reservations). Council Lake Camping Area is a National Forest campground near Alger, Michigan.

First-come, first-served

National Forest · Alger, Michigan

National Forest
Managed by

Council Lake Camping Area sits inside Hiawatha National Forest. Its dispersed-camping rule, ranger offices, and boundary are on publiclandsdb.com.

Getting a site

Managed by
National Forest
Reservations
None, first-come
Fee
Fee unknown, see agency

Source: apps.fs.usda.gov, accessed 2026-09-30

Access and cell service

Elevation
810 ft

46.2420, -86.6469 in Alger. Open in OpenStreetMap. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Open in Google Maps Directions

Common questions

Do you need a reservation at Council Lake Camping Area?

No. Council Lake Camping Area is first-come, first-served: there is no reservation system, so arrive early to claim an open site.

Who manages Council Lake Camping Area?

Council Lake Camping Area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Around Council Lake Camping Area

Waterfalls nearby

swimholesmap.com · within 30 miles

Nearest to Council Lake Camping Area, in straight-line miles: Wagner Falls (waterfall, 10 miles), Munising Falls (waterfall, 13 miles), Miners Falls (waterfall, 17 miles), and Spray Falls (waterfall, 25 miles). Each has its own page on swimholesmap.com.

Widewaters Recreation Area Alger · National Forest · Reservable
Sites
32
Season
05-12 to 09-16
Fee
Single Site: $22 per night
 Island Lake Campground Alger · National Forest · Reservable
Sites
11
Season
05-12 to 09-16
Fee
Standard nonelectric: $26–$65 per night
 Baldy Lake Camping Area Alger · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Free
 Petes Lake Recreation Area Schoolcraft · National Forest · First-come
Sites
Not on record
Season
Not on record
Fee
Not on record

More campgrounds: camping near Alger and campgrounds in Alger.

Sources

First-come, first-served
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