There are 27 campgrounds in the Ottawa National Forest which offer a wide spectrum of camping experiences. All are accessible by road and serve both tent and trailer campers. Most are located on lakes or streams and offer fishing and swimming opportunities as well. Several, including Bobcat Lake, Norway Lake and Tepee Lake have beaches with changing facilities.

All campground include picnic tables, tent pads, fire grates and toiled facilities. Most have drinking water and can accommodate trailers up to 22 feet in length. Only Blockhouse has no water supply.

The three campgrounds with the most highly developed facilities are Lake Ottawa, Sylvania Recreation Area and Black River. Each has paved access roads, pressurized water systems, and flush toilets. Black River and Lake Ottawa also have trailer dump stations. No electricity is available. The Sylvania Recreation Area has new showers and a dump station.

Other campgrounds offer more rustic facilities and greater solitude. Ottawa campgrounds range in size from 3 to 40 sites. Several campgrounds are available free of charge. No fee is assessed at Burned Dam, Robbins Pond, Matchwood Tower, Paint River Forks or Blockhouse campgrounds.

Persons 62 years of age and older and individuals with disabilities can benefit from a special discount Passport Program.

Most campgrounds are scheduled to open by May 15. Some exceptions are Bob Lake and Courtney Lake campgrounds which open May 20. Black River and the drive-in campground at the Sylvania Recreation Area open May 22. Most campgrounds close after Labor Day although some will remain open into the fall.

WAKEFIELD - SUNDAY LAKE CAMPGROUND - This summer experience a family vacation on the shores of Sunday lake in Wakefield, MI. There is plenty to do at Sunday Lake Park. The facilities include water, showers, electric hook-ups, camper sites, tent sites, boat launch and landings. Swimming beach, 2 pavilions, rest rooms, tennis courts, ballfields, picnic tables, grills and children's playground. There's great fishing too with an angler's choice of Walleye, Bass, Northern Pike, Perch and Panfish. For further information or reservations on Sunday Lake Camper Park, call 906-229-5131.

BRUCE CROSSING PARK, located on the East side of US 45, a short distance north of US 45 and M-28 junctions. Features 13 campsites and 6 picnic sites with drinking water, pit toilets, electric hook-ups, playground and golfing nearby. Contact Stannard Township, (906) 827-3778 or Dick Polkky 827-3329

BERGLAND TOWNSHIP PARK, located South of M-28 in Bergland. Go straight (south) at junction of M-28 and M-64 at Bergland. About 3-4 blocks. 15 campsites and 40 picnic sites. Features Swimming beach (no lifeguard), shower building, drinking water, Sanitation station, flush toilets, fishing, boat access, electric hook-ups and playground. Contact Louis Paulman 575-3932.

ONTONAGON COUNTY PARK ON LAKE GOGEBIC, just South of Merriweather on M-64 or north of Marenisco, located along the west shore of Lake Gogebic. 43 campsites and 15 picnic sites. Drinking water, swimming (no lifeguard), boat access, fishing, pit toilets, electric hook-ups, playground. Contact County Clerk 884-4255 or S. Smith 575-3952.

LAKE GOGEBIC STATE PARK, north of US 2 on M-64 or south of M-28 on M-64 on the west shore of Lake Gogebic. 127 campsites and 55 picnic sites with drinking water, sandy swimming beach (no lifeguard), boat launch, fishing, flush toilets,2 shower buildings, sanitation station, electric hook-ups, playground, picnic shelter and 2 mile hiking trail. Summer Naturalist Program with scheduled hikes and programs. For reservations call 1-800-543-2937.

BOND LAKE CAMPING, 5 miles east of Paulding, which is on US 45 between Bruce Crossing and Watersmeet. 36 campsites with 36 picnic sites. Drinking water, swimming, boat access, fishing, canoe access, pit toilets, hiking trails, waterfalls. Information (906) 852-3419.

PRESQUE ISLE CAMPGROUND, take M-107 from M-64 at Silver City to Porcupine Mountain State Park, turn left on the South Boundary Road, go 30 miles, turn right (north) at junction. 88 campsites and 12 picnic sites, drinking water, Lake Superior swimming, pit toilets, flush toilets, shower building, sanitation station, hiking, waterfalls, agate beach, fishing, picnic shelter. Located in the Porcupine Mountains State Park, for reservations call 1-800-543-2937.

STATE OUTPOST CAMPGROUNDS, inquire at Porcupine Mountains State Park Headquarters for dates and availability. 16 campsites and no picnic sites. Fishing, pit toilets, hiking, waterfalls. Located at the Porkies, 1-800-543-2937.

UNION BAY CAMPGROUND, 17 miles west of Ontonagon on M-107 in Porcupines Mountain State Park. 99 campsites and no picnic areas, Lake Superior agate beach, boat access, drinking water, electric hookup, flush toilets, fishing, hiking areas, playground, sanitation station, swimming, shower building, handicap accessible, waterfalls. Located at the Porkies, 1-800-543-2937.

ONTONAGON TOWNSHIP CAMPGROUND, northeast of Ontonagon on the Lakeshore Road along Lake Superior. Turn north at the First National Bank and follow Houghton Street 1-1/2 miles to 2 miles. Scenic camping on the shore of Lake Superior. 56 campsites and 40 picnic sites, drinking water, swimming, fishing nearby, pit toilet, sanitation station, electric hook ups, playground and tennis courts nearby. Low rates. Contact (906) 884-2930 or 884-9952.

ROBBINS POND, west of Paulding (US45), take forestry road 527 to Forestry Road 181. 3 campsites and no picnic areas, drinking water, fishing and historic site. Contact Watersmeet Ranger District (906) 358-4551.

PAULDING POND, south of Paulding on US 45. 4 campsites with 2 picnic sites, drinking water, boat access, fishing

MATCHWOOD TOWER, take Big Bear Road off M-28 to Old 28 to Forestry Road 178. Tower is dismantled.

BOB LAKE, go south on Forest Highway 16 from M-38; turn right (west) onto FR-193 to FR-206. Turn left (south) till the road forks, go left to Bob Lake.

COURTNEY LAKE, take Courtney Lake Road (FR-203) south from M-38 (Houghton County)

RIVER PINES RV PARK & CAMPGROUND on River Road, 1/2 mile from M-64, in Ontonagon, on the Ontonagon River. On Ontonagon River with Lake Superior access. Twenty minutes from Porcupine Mountains. Summer and winter camping. Full hook-ups, pull-through sites, cable TV hook-ups, dump station, LP gas, game rooms, hot showers, flush toilets, boat docks, easy access to groomed snowmobile trails. Good Sam, handicapped accessible. 600 River Road, Ontonagon,MI 49953 (906) 884-4600 or 800-424-1520.

UNION RIVER CAMPGROUND at the entrance to Porcupine Mountain State Park, on M-107 in Silver City. Privately owned in Porcupine Mountains, 50 campsites, quiet and scenic, modern shower building, electric and water hookups, dumping station, hot showers, flush toilets, ice and wood available. 492 M-107 , Ontonagon, MI 49953 Call (906) 885-5324

TOM'S TOURS & RV CAMPGROUND approximately 5 miles southeast of Ontonagon on M-38. Water and electrical hook ups. Wildlife ponds surrounded by pines and hardwoods. Pond fishing for trout and blue gill. Your hosts: Tom & Carol Pestka, 3144 M-38, Ontonagon, MI 49953 Phone 906-884-4481.