Craft & Seasonality
✓
Motorboat ✓
Kayak / Canoe ✓
Jet Ski / PWC ✗
Large Boat ✗
Winter Access Site Details
Conditions change rapidly due to water levels, prop wash, and weather. Always visually inspect before backing down.
RampUnimproved, 1 lane
Trailer Parking4 spots · grass/soil
Vehicle-Only2 spots
FeeMI Recreation Passport (annual, on vehicle registration)
Hours8 AM – 10 PM
Not Available Fish cleaning · Fishing pier · Restrooms · Pier
Scout's Notes
Ramp Quirks & Etiquette
Tiny Launch, Tiny Lake
This is a small, shady boat launch with a sandy bottom into a little lake — think kayaks, canoes, and maybe a small jonboat. Don't bring anything big; between the single lane and the tight approach through the trees, you'll regret it.
Parking Is Minimal
Four trailer spots is all you get, but honestly it's rarely an issue. Even summer weekends don't pack this place out. Weekdays you'll likely have the whole lake to yourself.
Water Pump Unreliable
The hand pump at the campground has a history of not working — sometimes it just needs a lot of priming, other times it's flat-out broken. Bring your own water, full stop.
Charming But Limited
Garey Lake is small enough that you can paddle the whole thing in under an hour. Fishing pressure is light but so are the results — it's more of a quiet paddle-and-explore spot than a serious fishing destination. If you want bigger water, Platte Lake and Crystal Lake are both a short drive away.
Trail Access Degraded
Logging activity in the area has torn up the trail connecting the horse camp to the lower campground and lake. If you're coming in from that direction on foot or horseback, expect rough going with ruts and debris.
Sources: DNR GIS data, Google Reviews, Google Street View
About This Lake
Garey Lake →