Burt Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
Michigan
- Home
- State Parks
- Michigan
- Burt Lake State Park
Situated on 406 acres on the upper tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Burt Lake State Park is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. It offers a sandy beach that stretches for more than 2,000 feet along Burt Lake, and it also offers access to Sturgeon River and the Inland Waterway. This park, which was established in 1920, provides numerous amenities that make it well-suited for a weekend getaway or an extended RV trip. It is open year-round and offers activities to enjoy across all seasons. Burt Lake State Park is located just west of the Indian River, and it is also close to several nearby towns, making it easy to access.
Nearby Cities:
Miami Beach, MI
Topinabee, MI
Afton, MI
Wildwood, MI
Spring 15-68 F
Summer 47-81 F
Fall 24-70 F
Winter 5-32 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Burt Lake State Park
Campground Accommodations
Burt Lake Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 45 feet
Other amenities: Restrooms, playground, picnic tables, pet area, dump station
Burt Lake State Park Campground.
There are 306 modern campsites at the Burt Lake State Park campground. This site sits on a lightly wooded area south of the lake. Most of the campsites are a few meters from the shoreline, but there are others inland where you can experience more scenic views. Many of the sites are pull-through, so you can park with ease. All sites offer partial hookups. You can access water from one of the several spigots scattered on different parts of the campground. There is also a dump station near every campsite. To get a spot at the campground, you need to reserve in person or online. Nightly rates start at $26.
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station and water spigots
Indian River RV Resort and Campground
Just a few miles from the state park, Indian River RV Resort and Campground is a family-oriented site for campers. It sits a few meters from Mullett Lake and is within walking distance of Burt Lake. The campground boasts 140 large campsites, most of which are covered under the shade of large trees. With Mullett Lake and Burt Lake being near the campsites, you can enjoy water activities, sightseeing, and hiking. Back at the campsite, you can enjoy facilities such as a heated swimming pool, arcade, three bathhouses, 100-person pavilion, and playground. Volleyball and basketball courts and a horseshoe area are also on-site. Nightly rates start at $35.
Water hookup: Yes, at 54 campsites
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Storage, swimming pool, bathhouses
What to Do at
Burt Lake State Park
Burt Lake State Park is open year-round for visitors to enjoy. Go swimming on 2,000 feet of shoreline on Lake Burton in the summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. While the park is relatively small in size, it is well-designed for fun with family and friends. Some of its amenities include a picnic area, picnic shelters, horseshoe pits, a ball field, a concession store with kayak rentals, a boat launch, a public beach house with concessions, a playground, a beach volleyball court, an interpretive building, and a pet-friendly area.
Inside Burt Lake State Park
Although Burt Lake State Park is not one of the largest parks in Michigan, it offers many recreation options, including a mile of hiking trails where campers can enjoy birding and sightseeing. Water activities such as fishing, boating, and relaxing along the shoreline are also common. When winter arrives, you can engage in cross-country skiing and ice fishing. You can also visit the largest crucifix in the world, Cross in the Woods National Shrine. While the shrine is open year-round, winter really brings out the beauty of the site.
Fishing
Burt Lake spans 17,120 acres, and it is teeming with fish. You can fish from the shoreline, off the park's pier, or from a boat for panfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and muskellunge. As part of the Inland Waterway, you can use the water to reach other fishing destinations like Crooked Lake, Little Traverse Bay, and Mullet Lake.
Geocaching
Treasure hunters can enjoy the challenge of geocaching throughout the park. You can claim a prize when you find a cache, but don't forget to bring along a family-friendly item to replace it with.
Stargazing
The northern region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula is only home to small towns, so stargazing is optimal on clear nights at Burt Lake State Park. Venture to the picnic area or beach for the best view of the stars.
Flora and Fauna
At Burt Lake State Park, you can find numerous birds, reptiles, and mammals enjoying their native habitat. Some of the animals that you might spot include cranes, rat snakes, ermines, squirrels, warblers, white-tailed deer, and bluebirds.
Hiking
While Burt Lake State Park does not have trails within its boundaries, the popular North Central State Trail is accessible via a short, paved walkway. This trail runs for almost 62 miles between Gaylord and Cheboygan. It is rated as easy and boasts flat to rolling terrain and a crushed limestone pathway.
Boating
You can use the boat launch at Burt Lake State Park to enjoy a fun-filled day of water activities close to your camp. If you are up for a journey, access the 38-mile Inland Waterway to visit other lakes and rivers. You can also rent a kayak from the park office for non-motorized fun.
Biking
The North Central State Trail is suitable for biking as well as hiking. If you want to make a multi-day trip, multiple rest stops between the starting and ending points offer tent camping, picnic tables, and restrooms.
How to Get to
Burt Lake State Park
Burt Lake State Park is located a few miles off of Interstate 75 in Michigan, making it easy to reach from the Upper Peninsula as well as major cities to the south, such as Lansing, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. Whether you travel to the area from the north or the south, you will follow Interstate 75 until you reach Highway 68 in the small town of Indian River. Take Highway 68 east a few miles until you reach Sturgeon Street. Turn left on Sturgeon Street, and then turn right on State Park Drive. The park office is a short distance from this turn.
Entering Burt Lake State Park
In addition to the many parking spots within the campsites, there are two large parking areas. These are located near the picnic area and picnic shelters as well as near the boat launch. A Reservation Passport is required to enter Burt Lake State Park. The annual cost is $13. In addition, a fishing license is required to fish at Burt Lake State Park.
Regardless of whether your ideal day outdoors is kicking back and enjoying fresh air under the sun or includes family outdoor games, time on the water, or any number of other activities, Burt Lake State Park is the perfect destination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burt Lake State Park
Burt Lake is a year-round destination for outdoor adventures. The warmer months of the year are the most popular because of the abundant land and water activities available, such as swimming, fishing, hiking, and more. During the winter, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing on the trail system are great ways to spend time.
Because of the popularity of Burt Lake State Park, sightings of black bears, bobcats, and gray wolves are rare on the grounds. You are more likely to catch a glimpse of rat snakes, white-tailed deer, squirrels, ermine, bluebirds, cranes, warblers, and other birds as you explore the park.
Burt Lake State Park has 306 campsites, and all permit RV camping. However, only some of these have paved pads and a 50-amp electric hookup. In addition, the size and privacy of the campsites vary.
Reservations are not required to camp at Burt Lake State Park. However, you may want to make one to secure a site with an electrical hookup.
You can reserve a spot up to six months in advance, and the cost ranges between $25 to $35.
Burt Lake State Park welcomes dogs. Pets must be on a leash no longer than six feet, and their humans must accompany them at all times. Dogs are not allowed at the main beach, but there is a dog-friendly beach at the southern end of the park.