Michigan’s Toughest State Park: The Warning Sign You MUST Read Before Visiting Craig Lake

For many people a trip to a Michigan State Park would bring a day of relaxation, either on a beach or in a secluded wooded spot. But that seclusion is generally just an illusion as the parks are almost always set along or close to main highways with easy access.

But there's one park in the system that the state's Department of Natural Resources will warn visits on how difficult it is to reach. That's Craig Lake State Park in the central Upper Peninsula, part of the state considered to have some of the deepest and most impenetrable wilderness in the nation.

Craig Lake is the most remote location of all of Michigan's State Parks. It's located roughly 35 miles, as the crow flies, to the west of Marquette - but a bit longer taking the twists of US 41.

But the path to Craig Lake isn't just a parking lot off the ultra-modern, highly maintained US 41. Rather, it's a twisting, rough pathway for several miles from the main highway.

The Unprepared Driver's Warning: Craig Lake's Treacherous Road

The road to Craig Lake is so fraught with danger for an unprepared driver that the DNR has a large and sternly written warning sign for anyone who starts down the road.

Ventured into Craig Lake State Park this weekend!
byu/JHouseman92 inCampAndHikeMichigan

The sign warns:

Please read the entire sign

From here it is 7 miles to Craig Lake State Park trailhead

this is a one lane seasonal road with sharp blind corners

The road my require high ground clearance or carful steering

Further, the warning sign cautions potential campers of the complete lack of any modern or semi-modern services and no toilets or showers, no land-line phone service and limited cell availability.

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The sign then offers a caution driver a way out

If you decide not to visit us on this trip, please utilize the turnaround located 1000 feet ahead.

The sign can be seen right after turning off US 41 onto the access road.

Real-World Experiences on the Road to Craig Lake

Even in a potential trip-planning phase, the DNR website cautions about park access calling it, in terms a bit more understated the sign, "somewhat challenging."

Many who have ventured to Craig Lake shared their experience on the Camp and Hike Michigan subreddit of Reddit.

I drove a Ford Pinto with an 18 foot canoe on the roof in there back in the late 70’....Left some paint on some rocks but managed to get in and out.

The wife and I gambled a VW Jetta getting back there. We made it in and out but... that was a bad idea.

I will recommend NOT taking your 2018 Chrysler Pacifica back there. We parked about halfway and had a slightly longer backpacking trip.

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Some have reported that the road was recently graded and provides a marginally better drive into the park.