Lake Keewaydin is part of the Craig Lake chain within Craig Lake State Park. Portage trails connect it to Craig Lake and other small lakes in the park's backcountry. The surrounding watershed drains into the Lake Superior basin via the Peshekee River system.
Lake Keewaydin freezes reliably given its UP location and moderate size, but winter access is the real challenge. The roads into Craig Lake State Park are not plowed, meaning you'd need to snowshoe or ski several miles to reach the lake. Very few people attempt winter visits.
How do you get to Lake Keewaydin?
Can you use a motorboat on Lake Keewaydin?
What fish are in Lake Keewaydin?
Are there campgrounds near Lake Keewaydin?
Is there a fee to launch at Lake Keewaydin?
Can you swim in Lake Keewaydin?
Can you ice fish on Lake Keewaydin?
Is Lake Keewaydin connected to Craig Lake?
Lake Keewaydin sits deep in Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County — one of the most remote and least-visited state parks in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The lake covers roughly 206 acres and connects to the Craig Lake chain via portage trails, making it a genuine backcountry destination. There's no paved road access; you'll need to drive several miles of rough two-track to reach the trailhead, and from there it's a hike in. That remoteness is the whole point — this is a quiet, wild lake surrounded by old-growth forest with almost zero development on the shoreline.
Keewaydin is managed as a wilderness-character lake, so don't expect a concrete ramp or dock. The single launch is primitive and suited to canoes, kayaks, and small cartop boats — no motors allowed. Fishing includes northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. The state park offers backcountry yurts and rustic campsites, making Keewaydin a solid pick for paddlers and anglers who want a true wilderness experience without driving to the Boundary Waters. If you're looking for solitude in Michigan, this is one of the best options.