RV Rental Hagerman Lake, MI

In part due to its proximity to the larger lake, Lake Ottawa, and in part due to its small size of around 585 acres, Hagerman Lake is not a highly trafficked lake. Fishermen and adventurers seeking solitude for quiet reflections and bliss will find it on Hagerman Lake. The lake is ringed by low hills shrouded by tall hardwoods and fir trees. Sheltered by these trees, the lake is typically calm on all but the stormiest of days. A simple boat launch invites aquatic recreational fun. The lake is relatively deep in spite of its glacial origins, and as a result, it has a mix of warm and cold water. Northern pike, walleye, bass, bluegill, and panfish are abundant, easily observed swimming in the clear water as far down as 10 feet.

Birdwatchers, and animal lovers, too will enjoy visiting Hagerman Lake. It’s one of the few lakes in Michigan that has a healthy population of common loons, which frequently nests in the reeds. Though common loons are not endangered, they were, at one point, nearly driven out of Michigan due to deforestation and water pollution. The loons are, however, slowly making a comeback in Michigan thanks to stringent laws established in the 80s to protect their nesting grounds.

Hagerman Lake is surrounded by almost one million acres of Ottawa National Forest. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails, many of which are multi-use. Hikers and outdoor adventurers may find themselves sharing the woods with white-tailed deer, various small-game creatures like foxes and raccoons. In open spaces and near waterways, keep a sharp eye overhead. Ospreys and bald eagles nest in the area and are frequently sighted as they hunt for rodents and fish. Ottawa National Forest is especially well known for waterfalls, which are scattered across the park. At least 18 falls gush over rocks and boulders year-round, and there are hundreds, if not thousands more that emerge only after the spring snowmelt occurs and just as quickly disappear.

Though it’s tempting to just park an RV rental in a clearing, that habit can become too destructive if too many people do it. It’s far more ethical to use an already-established campground. RV camping at Hagerman Lake isn’t possible because there are no campgrounds. However, Lake Ottawa, which is just a few minutes away, has a roomy campground. Lake Ottawa Recreational Area RV campground is set in a wooded area. It has running water, flush toilets, and a dump station.

During the peak season, space runs out on occasion. Fortunately, there are several other options within a 30-mile radius. Imp Lake Campground in Watersmeet, MI, may be a good option. Though it’s smaller with only 22 sites, the size also means it’s more private. Though the grounds are largely primitive, there are pump faucets for water and vault toilets.

Alternatively, RV camp at Kentuck Lake’s campground near Eagle River, WI. Thirty-one sites are shaded by tall hemlocks and hardwood trees. Though there is no electric hookup, there is running water and a dump station. All sites have their own fire rings, too.

Hop into a rental motorhome and join all the other rubberneckers on the Ottawa National Forest’s scenic byways. Many roads take travelers past picturesque waterfalls, many of which are very close to the roads, and through quaint, charming towns and villages full of history and local charm. Not far from Paulding, MI is a particular spot that has been the subject of stories and folklore for many decades. As the lore goes, only at a certain spot outside the town, bystanders frequently can see a floating ball of light at nighttime in the trees. Some say it’s a ghost of a grandparent searching for a lost child by lantern. Others say it’s a ghost of a Native American dancing around a bonfire.

Continue the journey into the past at Iron County Historical Museum in Caspian, MI. The exhibits explore the town’s role in its mining history, as well as spotlight several notable individuals who helped shape the towns.

At the end of a long day of sightseeing and adventuring, build a campfire outside the camper rental and watch the stars appear in the inky black night sky. Find your perfect RV camping adventure in the Michigan wilds and enjoy all that Hagerman Lake has to offer.