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Golden Lake Campground
Golden Lake Campground is located 15 miles northwest of Iron River, M.I., on the Iron River Ranger District. This campground provides an opportunity for a northwoods experience like fishing, bird watching and wildlife viewing. Golden Lake Campground features a single loop with 22 campsites that are spaced with natural vegetation. These drive-in campsites can accommodate tents, trailers, and motor homes. Each site offers a wood picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Two vault toilets are located in the camping loop and a boat ramp, a small picnic area, and parking lot are located adjacent to the campground.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | These sites are open free of charge until the water service is restored to the campground (A storm blew down a large tree onto the hand pump). |
|---|---|
| Operational Hours: | 24 hours - self pay |
| Area Amenities: | Accessible, Boat ramp, Tent camping, Camping trailer, Fee charged for some activities, Picnic tables, Toilets, Drinking water, Parking |
| Fees: | Free |
| Open Season: | January 1 - December 31 |
| Usage: | Light-Medium |
| Best Season: | June-September |
| Busiest Season: | July-August |
| Restrictions: | 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. |
| Closest Towns: | Watersmeet Michigan is 16 miles to the west and Iron River is 13 1/2 miles to the east. |
| Water: | Currently unavailable. |
| Restroom: | 2 vault toilets located in campground |
| Passes: | Golden Age/Interagency Senior and Access Passes accepted |
| Operated By: | |
| Information Center: | The day use area is managed by the Ottawa National Forest. For more information or questions please contact the Watersmeet – Iron River Ranger District at 906-358-4724. |
General Information
Directions:From Watersmeet, Mi., Travel east on US 2 approximately 16 miles, turn left (north) on FH 16, travel north on FH 16 for approximately 7/10 tenths of a mile and the campground will be on your left.
From Iron River, Mi. Travel west on US 2 approximately 13 1/2 miles, turn right (north) on FH 16, travel north on FH 16 for approximately 7/10 tenths of a mile and the campground will be on your left.
Activities
Campground Camping
Golden Lake Campground features a single loop with 22 campsites. These drive-in campsites can accommodate tents, trailers, and moot homes. Each site offers a wood picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and parking spur. Two vault toilets, are located in the camping loop. Drinking water will be provided in the future. A boat ramp, a small picnic area, and parking lot is located adjacent to the campground.
General Info:
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 Watersmeet – Iron River Ranger District at 906-358-4551 for additional information.
| No. of Sites | 22 |
| Reservation Info | No Reservations |
| Fire Information | Fire ring in each campsite |
| No. of Accessible sites | 0 |
| Sleeping Shelter | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | May-September |
| Fees: | Free |
| Reservation info: | No Reservations |
| Best Season: | June-September |
| Hours of Operation: | 24 hours - self pay |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Lake and Pond Fishing
Golden Lake is a deep-water cold lake that is easy to get to and is stocked periodically with Lake trout, rainbow trout and splake.
| Fish Species | Bass, Trout, and Panfish |
| Special Designations | Boat Ramp |
| Fishing Platform | No |
| Cleaning Station | No |
| Accessible Platform | No |
| Water Temperature | Cold |
| Water/Flow Level | 100 Feet |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
|---|
River and Stream Fishing
Cooks Run is ½ mile from the campground and the South Branch of Paint River is a few miles north. Portions of Cooks Run and the South Branch are open year-round with special regulations.
| Fish Species | Brook Trout and Brown Trout |
| Fishing Mode | Bank, Wade or Float |
| Fishing Platform | None |
| Cleaning Station | None |
| Accessible Platform | None |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
Picnicking
Golden lake has a few picnic tables for your use.
| No. of Sites | Small Picnic Area |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | May-September |
| Best Season: | June-July |
| Hours of Operation: | 6am-10pm |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Boating - Motorized
Golden Lake located almost midway between Iron River and Watersmeet is a medium sized deep lake that produces some of the finest bass fishing in the area.
| Launch Ramps | Yes, Concrete Base, no charge to launch boat |
| Trailer Parking | Yes |
| Class of rapids | None |
| Motor Type | N/A |
| Fuel availability | No |
| Status: | Open |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level: | Easy to Intermediate |
Amenities
| Camping trailer: | 22 sites |
|---|---|
| Picnic tables: | Located in each campsite |
| Tent camping: | 22 sites |
| Parking: | Paved parking near boat ramp |
| Toilets: | One vault toilet located near site #13 and 1 Double Vault toilet located near the end of the campground loop. |
| Fee charged for some activities: | Camping $16 a night |
| Accessible: | Accessible Vault Toilet located near site #13 |
| Boat ramp: | No Fee, located just southwest of the campground |
| Drinking water: | Hand pump located near lakeshore-north of the boat landing |
Quick Links
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