Featuring 3,000 acres of land and six miles of sandy beach across the shores of Lake Michigan, Point Beach State Forest is a dream destination for RV travelers. First established as a state forest back in 1938, the forest also contains two national natural landmarks known as Point Beach Ridges and the Rawley Point Lighthouse, so this park serves as an ideal spot for your next RV vacation.
The forest offers a variety of outdoor adventures that are great for visitors of all ages, such as hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, fishing, and boating. There are 17 miles worth of hiking trails stretching across the forest, with the longest trail stretching over seven miles long. The picnic areas within Point Beach State Forest are fully developed with picnic tables, outdoor grills, clean drinking water, and restrooms for you to enjoy. A playground and volleyball courts are also available at the picnic spots. Lake Michigan offers numerous fishing opportunities, and basic fishing equipment is provided for free at the park office. For bikers, there are well laid out biking trails like the Ridge Trail, which has three connecting loops for off-road biking. The forest also has a variety of winter activities with its well-marked ski and snowmobile trails.
If you wish to call the forest home during your visit, there is one campground available that contains 127 RV friendly campsites. For those looking for alternate camping options, there are also indoor group camping options, thanks to two large cabins that can sleep up to 16 people and an outdoor group campground. Point Beach State Forest is open all year round, and peak season runs from the end of April until the end of October.
Point Beach State Forest is easy to find since it's positioned on the Lake Michigan coast. The forest is accessible by car, RV, and by bus throughout the year. The most common way to access the park is from either the south through the town of Two Rivers or the north by taking County Road V.
Once you are inside the park, you shouldn't have any trouble navigating the roads since all of the roads are kept in very good condition. The speed limit within the park is 25 miles per hour, and there are no other strict driving restrictions. If you need to pick up any supplies before your adventure, we recommend stopping into the town of Two Rivers. Here you will be able to purchase groceries and even treat yourself to a restaurant dinner. The closest major city to Point Beach State Forest is Green Bay, which is 41.5 miles to the northwest.
The parking areas in the state forest are well marked and spacious. The entrance parking lot will take you to the lighthouse and the beach, so if you are just visiting for a day trip, you can park your vehicle here since it is very convenient.
Point Beach State Forest features one main campground that contains all of the RV friendly sites within the area. The sites are known for being large and fairly level, with some even having stunning views to the lake. There are a total of 127 sites in the campground, with 70 of them coming equipped with electricity and water hookups for your convenience. Most of the sites within the campground are wooded and within walking distance of Lake Michigan. Other site-specific amenities include a picnic table and a fire ring. Throughout the campground, there are also flush toilets, shower buildings, and a dump station. The campground is pet-friendly, and if you bring your dog, make sure to make the most of the pet-friendly beach. You might struggle to get cell phone reception in the campground due to its forested setting. Reservations are highly recommended during peak season since the campground is a very popular destination. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, but during the offseason, the campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you plan on visiting Point Beach State Forest with a larger group, there are two different group camp options that you could consider. The outdoor group campground is perfect for parties up to 60 people and can contain multiple tents and small RVs that are 20 feet in length or smaller. Within the group campground, there are vault toilets, a large fire ring, a water collection point, and multiple picnic tables.
The other group camping option at Point Beach State Forest is a little different. Two large cabins can accommodate 14 or 16 people. These cabins are located around a mile and a half from the entrance. The cabins are quite rustic and don't feature many creature comforts from regular life, but they are a great alternative to outdoor group camping. You can reserve the indoor and outdoor group camp facilities online up to 11 months before your arrival, which we recommend doing so that you don't miss out.
Point Beach State Forest offers a variety of outdoor activities during the winter months, including snowmobiling. There are three miles of snowmobiling trails within the park that are perfect for adventurers wanting to have some motorized fun. The Snowmobile Connector Trail can be accessed 2.5 miles south of the forest entrance at Port Sandy Bay, and it links to other county trails. Remember to bring your own snowmobile or rent one from outside the park as you won't be able to within Point Beach State Forest.
If you love to fish, then you will love visiting Point Beach State Forest. Lake Michigan is one of the best fishing destinations in the state, and there are plenty of different spots for you to cast out a line. Some of the common species caught in the lake include yellow perch, largemouth bass, lake trout, and smallmouth bass. If you don't have your own fishing gear, you can still join in on all of the fun thanks to the park providing basic fishing equipment like bobbers, sinkers, hooks, and lines at no cost. The equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be borrowed for up to one week.
Point Beach State Forest has a variety of biking trails that will take you through the beautiful forest. One of the most popular is known as the Rides Trail. It stretches for five miles south through pine and hemlock forest and has three connecting loops for off-road biking. Swales Nature Trail is also worth checking out. This half-mile self-guided nature trail contains beautiful wildflowers, birds, and animals. If you feel like stopping for a break, you can read the self-guided signs to learn more about the area.
During the offseason, the Point Beach State Forest Campground rolls over to first-come, first-served camping. Camping during the colder months may require RVers to come in a self-contained RV or motorhome since some of the facilities may be winterized for the season.
For the hot days within Point Beach State Forest, you can't beat jumping into Lake Michigan to cool off. Swimming is one of the major outdoor activities during the summertime thanks to the six miles of sandy beachfront along the Great Lake. You have a choice of three different swimming areas at either the Lakeshore Picnic Area, near the concession stand, or at the Lighthouse Picnic Area. A separate beach is even available for dogs so your furry friend can enjoy some fun in the sun.
Point Beach State Forest is the perfect place to picnic thanks to its well laid out picnic areas and shelters. There are multiple picnic areas for you to choose from that will give you the option to picnic close to the lake or in the forest. Some of the amenities within the park for picnicking include picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking water collection points. If you have forgotten any vital supplies, there is also a concession stand that offers picnic supplies during the peak season.
Hiking at Point Beach State Forest will provide you with an adventurous experience that can be enjoyed across the 17 miles of hiking trails. Along with these hiking trails, the Lake Michigan shoreline provides you with six miles to explore as you soak in the amazing beach scenery around you. The Ice Age Trail is a great path to explore as it is close to the camping areas and has sand dunes, wetlands, and creeks, as well as thick coniferous and open prairies. For something a little different, try the Ridges Trail, which is highly forested and gives access to Lake Michigan and its shoreline.
