GLADSTONE — Summer planning is underway on the Hiawatha National Forest as staff and members of the public prepare for the camping season. With a variety of options available, both developed and rustic, along with four cabins, there is plenty to explore in these Northwoods.

Planning for recreational use requires a thoughtful and integrated process across the Hiawatha that begins long before sites open. Preparation work happens in the fall, winter, and spring. Additional efforts can be spread across multiple seasons for larger, more complex projects. Trails, beaches, and boat launches are all part of the program, but none are so popular as campgrounds.

“Our staff and partners have done an excellent job working together across both Zones to get all of the campgrounds ready for opening this year, including the ones that were closed in 2023,” said Forest Supervisor, Shannon Rische. Their dedication and commitment are commendable, and we are excited to welcome campers to all locations this season.

The six East Zone campgrounds that were closed in 2023 (Brevoort Lake, Lake Michigan, Carp River, Monocle Lake, Soldier Lake, and Bay View Campgrounds) will be open with a new concessionaire. Each campground has both first come, first served sites as well as reservable sites. Three Lakes Campground will also be open first come, first served only.

The eleven West Zone campgrounds will also be open. Reservations are accepted for nine, and all of them also have first come, first served sites. Corner Lake Campground and Indian River Campground are first come, first served only.

Additionally, there are approximately fifty designated campsites across the forest, many on inland lakes, that are available by reservation only.

We have already received a number of inquiries asking how to make reservations for our campgrounds, so we know that people are excited to get out there, said Rische. We look forward to a great summer in 2024.

Campground reservations can be made online at https://www.recreation.gov/ up to six months in advance of the date of reservation.

Information about the campgrounds across the Hiawatha, including locations, amenities, fees, and operating seasons, is available on the website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/hiawatha/recreation.