Grass Lake State Forest Campground Boat Launch

This is a carry-down spot on the Betsie River — there's no real boat ramp and zero trailer parking. If you're bringing a kayak, canoe, or small inflatable, you're golden. Anything requiring a trailer needs to go elsewhere.

You're driving about 3 miles of unmaintained forest road to get here. It's slow going, especially in spring when it gets rutted and muddy. A sedan can make it in dry conditions, but after rain you'll want clearance.

There's a little weir/dam near campsite #3 that creates a shallow, wadeable section downstream — great put-in point for floating the Betsie. Upstream side is the Grass Lake Flooding, which holds bass, perch, and bluegill if you're paddling with a rod.

Some years this place is tidy, other years the sites are overgrown to waist height and grills are missing off their posts. It's administered by Interlochen State Park but feels like it's low on the priority list. Scope it out before committing to a weekend.

Only 15 first-come-first-served sites, and the good riverside ones go early on summer weekends. Midweek you'll practically have the place to yourself. Pay at the lockbox with an envelope — they do check daily.