Anyone been there this year.
I noticed on recent trip reports about Craig Lake is that they require a year round state park sticker in addition to overnite camping fee. Don't think they required that several years ago.
dr bob

should have checked first.... gotta have an annual state sticker or daily pass for non-residents. No senior citizen discounts. Out of state pay $31 for annual and $9 per day. Plus camping fee.

drbob

I have been to both Craig Lake and Big Island Wilderness. They are both small, intimate areas, but charming in their own way. Both have about 1/4 mile portages from the parking lots to the put in, but they are not difficult.

Craig Lake is a Michigan State Park, so you need to purchase a "sticker". There are envelopes at the parking lot for the park sticker (comes in the mail about 6 weeks later), so you display the tear off flap from the envelope in your car window until you get your sticker in the mail.

Big Island is federal, and there are no user or camping fees (yet). I enjoy both parks.



Big Island


Craig Lake

From my reading online research, it doesn't seem as if there are any campsites on the lake shores, only on the hiking trails, can anyone verify whether or not this is true?

I realize there are no "established" campsites at all, just hoping there are a few level and bare spots around the lake.

There are several campsites along the craig lake shoreline. as well a couple right at the entry point as well as an outhouse..
Used to be camping on some of the islands but no longer.
Bring a trowel or shovel...no facilities.
There is a pump by the cabins for water.
email me if you have any questions....both these are way nice areas

rlderrig@gmail.com

dr bob

Craig lake campsites are okay, but first come first served. As DrBob says, there are no thunder boxes, so you have to either dig your own, or paddle to the boat landing where there are outhouses.

Actually there is a campsite over on the South East side of Craig Lake that has a latrine to it. I wouldn't want to use it as it was in such disrepair as it is enclosed with a partial roof. We backpacked there 3 yrs ago.

Thank you guys, great info as always.

It's a great park. Be sure to take the Nelligan lake road into the park not the one from Nestoria on the west side. The one on the west side is very very rough. Trails are nice their. Also watch out for bears there. As when saw one there and saw lots of bear sign.

A visit there is well worth the effort. It's a pretty park.