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Recreation Region: Iron River Ranger District

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.

Reservations

No reservations - first come, first serve.

General Information

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.

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
  • Fire Information: Fire ring in each campsite
  • No. of Accessible sites: None
  • Sleeping Shelter: No
  • Best Season: June-September
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate

Visitors can use the facility until snow conditions reduce access. Gates get closed as soon as snow starts to accumulate.

24 hours - self pay

Golden Age/Interagency Senior and Access Passes accepted

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.
 

Overnight Use:
Single Site: $16 per night

New Watersmeet and Iron River Ranger District

Address: E23979 US 2 East Watersmeet, MI 49969
Phone: 906-358-4551
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (CT) (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.17160677

Longitude: -88.88275779

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.

Closest Towns: Watersmeet Michigan is 16 miles to the west and Iron River is 13 1/2 miles to the east.

Parking

Paved parking near boat ramp

Facility and Amenity Information

Accessibility

Accessible Vault Toilet located near site #13

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is not available at this site.

Currently unavailable.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Located in each campsite

Other Amenities

  • Toilets: One vault toilet located near site #13 and 1 Double Vault toilet located near the end of the campground loop.
  • Boat ramp: No Fee, located just southwest of the campground
  • Drinking water: Hand pump located near lakeshore-north of the boat landing

Recreation Opportunities

Fishing - River/Stream Info

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
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Difficult

Fishing - Lake & Pond Info

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

Boating - Motorized Info

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
  • Difficulty Level: Easy to Intermediate

Picnicking - Single Info

Picnicking

Golden lake has a few picnic tables for your use.

  • No. of Sites: 1 Small Picnic Area
  • Open Season: May-September
  • Best Season: June-July
  • Hours of Operation: 6am-10pm
  • Difficulty Level: Easy

Last updated May 20, 2025