Pike Lake State Forest Campground (Luce)

PIKE LAKE STATE PARK - HIDDEN GEM NEAR TAHQUAMENON FALLS
Only a few lucky people know about beautiful Pike Lake State Park, 15 miles / 35 minute drive / from Upper Tahquamenon Falls. Very small – 8 campsites. Very rustic – two pit toilets. Very scenic – Pike Lake is small and good looking, featuring an island of pine trees a hundred yards from shore. Far side of lake is an unbroken line of tall trees, with four or five cottages spaced out at intervals. My campsite, Site 7, was right on the waters edge, in view of island, under tall pines. In the morning sunshine, the lake is a beautiful sight. I stood at the waters edge for 20 minutes with a cup of hot coffee in my hand, enjoying the beauty. After sunset, at night, you are far enough from the city to see a Dark Sky above – hundreds of stars! Saw the Milky Way for the first time in years. Wish I had brought my Star Chart. Visiting after Labor Day, expect campers with 4WD ATVs and motor cycle campers riding big “hogs”. On my visit, they were very quiet and friendly. No problems. Except for the guy who started up a generator after midnight and ran it till 7am. The droning sound spoiled the silence, but these days it seems most every campground has someone running a generator all night. A sign of the times, I guess. By the way, No Cell Phone Service, if you have a cheap phone.
One final caution, the roads to Pike Lake are dirt roads. In dry weather, no problem. But after it rains, you will have a 30 minute drive on hard-packed wet sand. Road looks well maintained, not one single tire rut, so I doubt if anyone ever gets stuck. Just drive carefully in wet weather, and plan to visit the car wash when you get home.