Craig Lake State Park Photo: Seclusive Nature (Flickr), cropped / CC BY-SA 4.0
United States › Michigan

Craig Lake State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: more than 9,700 acres (39 km²)
  • Character: the most remote park in Michigan’s state park system
  • Waters: six lakes, linked by portages
  • Trail link: the North Country Trail
  • Gateway: Michigamme and Marquette
  • Managed by: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The landscape

Craig Lake sits in rugged, rocky country in the western Upper Peninsula, a quiet mix of northern hardwood and conifer forest around six lakes with rocky shores and islands. Moose were reintroduced to the area, and black bears, loons and beavers are common.

Best time to go

Summer and early fall are the season. June brings bugs; September brings colour and cool nights. The access road is rough in any season and may be impassable in wet weather.

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Getting there and around

A rough road from US-41 leads to the park. From there, visitors hike or paddle to backcountry sites, cabins and yurts. There is an undeveloped canoe launch on Craig Lake and portages to Clair and Crooked lakes.

Things to do

Backpackers hike the loop around Craig Lake and the North Country Trail. Paddlers link the lakes by portage. Fishing, moose watching and solitude are the rewards.

Staying safe

Drive only with a high-clearance vehicle and go slowly. Help is far away, so carry a satellite messenger and a first aid kit, and leave a trip plan. Store food away from bears and give moose plenty of space. Wear a life jacket on the lakes.

Know before you go

Backcountry sites are reservation-only. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm road conditions and reservations with the Michigan DNR before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
46.6067, -88.1454
Magnetic declination
4.4° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

9 places in Craig Lake State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Park entrance

Sights 8

Lakes

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Weekend backpackingCanoeing & kayakingBackcountry

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Terrain
LakesForestWetlands
Key hazards
Very rough access roadBlack bears and mooseRemote from helpBiting insectsCold water
Best seasons
Summer, Early fall
Difficulty
Moderate
Access / trailheads
Off US-41 west of Michigamme, via a rough road; high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles are strongly recommended.
Water
Lakes; filter or treat all water.
Cell / satellite coverage
Little to none. Carry a satellite messenger.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
A Michigan Recreation Passport is required. Hike-in backcountry campsites are reservation-only; yurts and rustic cabins are also reserved.
Leave No Trace
Camp only at reserved backcountry sites, store food from bears, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high54°F(12°C)12°C(54°F)
Average low32°F(0°C)0°C(32°F)
Rainfall3.2 in(82 mm)82 mm(3.2 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 58 minSunrise 8:09 a.m., sunset 7:07 p.m.
  • Below-freezing nights

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Champion Van Riper Park station, 10 miles (16 km)16 km (10 miles) away at 1,599 feet (487 m)487 m (1,599 feet). Rain and snow from the Clarksburg station, 16 miles (26 km)26 km (16 miles) away at 1,554 feet (474 m)474 m (1,554 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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