Skip to main content
Site Open
Recreation Region: Ontonagon Ranger District

Bob Lake Campground

Bob Lake Campground, located in Houghton County, is 18 miles southeast of Ontonagon, MI, in the Ontonagon Ranger District. This campground features a single loop with 17 campsites which are spaced with natural vegetation for screening.  Many of the sites are situated near the lake. These drive-in sites can accommodate tents, trailers or motor homes. Each site offers a wooden picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. The camping loop contains three vault toilets, one of which is accessible.  Drinking water is provided by a hand pump which is located near the campground entrance. Adjacent to the campground are the Day Use Picnic area, a boat landing with a parking area, and the trailhead to the 1.2 mile long Beaver Lodge Interpretive Trail.  Bob Lake is a shallow lake with depths averaging 3 to 10 feet with deepest at 17 feet. Walleye, small mouth bass, and perch are to be had for fishermen from shore or boat.

Reservations

No reservations - first come, first serve.

General Information

Seasonal Information

The campground is scheduled to open with full services the Friday before Memorial Day.  This date is subject to change, please contact the Ontonagon Ranger District for additional information.

  • No. of Sites: 17
  • Fire Information: Fire ring in each campsite
  • No. of Accessible sites: 0
  • Sleeping Shelter: No
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate

May 24 - October 31

24 hours/day

Golden Age/Interagency Senior Pass and Access Passes are accepted

Fees shown are for the summer recreation period when full services are provided.  During the early spring and late fall when no services are provided the fees at some areas are not charged. Camping in a developed recreation site is allowed for a period not longer than 14 days, except as otherwise posted. After this time, you must move to another campground or dispersed site for at least 24 hours. Campers must occupy the site the first night. Eight people and 2 motorized vehicles are allowed per campsite with a maximum of one RV or camper trailer and two tents per camping site or three tents per camping site.

$14 a night
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10174866

$14 a night

Offices: Ontonagon Ranger Station

Address: 1209 Rockland Road Ontonagon, MI 49953
Phone: 906-884-2085
Hours: Wednesdays only, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (ET) (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.66230759

Longitude: -88.91411255

Directions

From Ontonagon, Mi., travel east on M-38 for approximately 20 miles.  Turn right (south) onto FH 16 and travel approximately 6 miles.  Turn right (west) onto FR 1640 (Pori Road).  Travel approximately 2 1/4 miles and turn left (south) on FR 1470. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn left onto FR 1478 and travel approximately 8/10 tenths of a mile to the campground.


From Kenton, Mi., travel north on FH 16 approximately 14 miles to FR 1640 (Pori Road) and turn left. Travel approximately 2 1/4 miles and turn left (south) on FR 1470. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn left onto FR 1478 and travel approximately 8/10 tenths of a mile to the campground.


From Baraga, Mi., travel west on M-38 for approximately 20 miles to FH 16. Turn left (south) onto FH 16 and travel approximately 6 miles.  Turn right (west) onto FR 1640 (Pori Road).  Travel approximately  2 1/4 miles and turn left (south) on FR 1470. Travel approximately 1 mile and turn left onto FR 1478 and travel approximately 8/10 tenths of a mile to the campground.

Parking

Available at the Beach and Boat Landing Day Use Area

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

Drinking Water-Handpump

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

8 accessible tables located in campsites. Each site has a picnic table.

Recreation Opportunities

Boating - Motorized Info

Bob Lake is a very popular get away for fishermen, campers, and adventurist. Located in the southeastern portion of the Ontonagon Ranger District in Houghton County this 133-acre lake provides plenty of fishing opportunities for walleye and panfish.

  • Launch Ramps: Yes, Concrete Base, no charge to launch boat
  • Trailer Parking: Yes
  • Class of rapids: None
  • Motor Type: N/A
  • Fuel availability: No
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate

Boating - Non-Motorized Info

Bob Lake is a very popular get away for fishermen, campers, and adventurist. Located in the southeastern portion of the Ontonagon Ranger District in Houghton County this 133-acre lake provides plenty of fishing opportunities for walleye and panfish.

  • Trailer Parking: Yes
  • Launch Ramps: Yes
  • Type of Craft: Canoe/Kayak
  • Fuel availability: No
  • Marina/Mooring: No
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to More Difficult

Picnicking - Single Info

Bob Lake Campground Day Use Picnic Area provides an area to have family or group picnics and cookouts. 

  • Fire Information: Outdoor grills
  • Status: Open
  • Difficulty Level: Easy

Day Hikes Info

Beaver Lodge Interpretive Trail is 1 1/4 miles in length and takes about 30 minutes to hike. It is fairly level with small inclines. Besides the abundant beaver which live in the swampy valleys this trail is known for ducks, songbirds, raptors, and deer, and many other furbearing animals from squirrels to bobcat inhabit this section of forested land. The Trail is located near Bob Lake Campground and can be accessed from the trailhead located east of the campground. The loop trail begins at the parking lot of the picnic area.

  • Fire Information: None
  • Status: Open
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate

Fishing - Lake & Pond Info

Bob Lake is a very popular get away for fishermen, campers, and adventurist. Located in the southeastern portion of the Ontonagon Ranger District in Ontonagon County this 133-acre lake provides plenty of fishing opportunities for walleye and panfish. To get to Bob Lake from Ontonagon take M-38 east and turn right on FH 16. Turn right on FR 1640 and left on FR 1470. From Kenton take FH 16 north and turn left on FR 1640 and left on FR 1470.

  • Fish Species: Walleye, Bass & Perch
  • Special Designations: Boat Ramp
  • Fishing Platform: No
  • Cleaning Station: No
  • Accessible Platform: No
  • Water Temperature: Mixed Cold/warm
  • Water/Flow Level: 15 Feet
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate

Last updated March 27th, 2025