Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground Boat Launch

The dam gets drawn down in fall and the single-lane ramp becomes unusable — you'll be dragging your hull through mud. If you're planning anything past mid-September, call Tawas Point State Park first to check timing. By early October the water can drop enough that even shallow-draft boats can't get on.

Only six trailer parking spots at this campground launch. On a random Tuesday you're fine, but show up on a summer holiday weekend and you're out of luck. The campground itself is low-traffic most of the season, so midweek launches are a breeze.

Van Etten Lake has documented PFAS contamination — likely related to the nearby Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Most people skip swimming entirely. Fish consumption advisories apply, so check the current guidance before you keep anything.

The campground sits right across from the old air base, and road traffic runs surprisingly late. Helicopters can run until 11 PM, and truck noise carries right to the waterfront. It's not a factor for a day launch, but if you're camping overnight to get an early start, bring earplugs.

The lake is 1,320 acres with a clay bottom and max depth around 33 feet — good panfish and catfish water. It's a mellow lake without heavy boat traffic most days. The single lane and small lot actually keep pressure low compared to busier public launches in the Tawas area.