Pretty Lake Quiet Area in Michigan

Trip Overview

If you are looking for rock gardens, shoots, eddies and holes then stop reading now. This is not for you. If a quiet northern setting is your cup of tea, read on.

The Pretty Lake Quiet Area consists of a series of small lakes and mature forests where outboard motors and off road vehicles are not permitted. Loons are regular residents and will serenade you in the morning and evenings.

Five of the lakes; Pretty, Brush, Camp Eight, Beaverhouse and Long; are close enough together that portaging from one to the other is an easy portage between 20 yards and 150 yards in length. All portages are over level ground. The lakes range in size from approx. 20acres to approx. 80 acres. There are also hiking trails leading from Pretty Lake to the other lakes.

Pretty Lake is the drive-in entry to the area. There are 18 state forest camp sites along the lake shore. The beaches are sand and the water very clear, perfect for kids. There are also camping sites on Long Lake and Beaverhouse Lake. These sites are accessible by paddling or hiking only. There is no access by auto, and you can be assured of no generators.

Long Lake does have a section of private property with approximately a half dozen vacation cottages. The people who use these cottages seem to appreciate the quiet and solitude as much as those who travel to the area to paddle, camp, swim and fish.

If fishing is your game, the lakes are stocked by the Department of Natural Resources with hybrid splake, rainbow and brook trout as well as walleyes.

Accommodations:

Primitive camping. Vault toilets, hand water pumps, trash disposal, fire pit on each site.
Grocery, fishing supplies, ice available 5 miles north on H37 (also shown as CR407) at Deer Park.
Last available auto gas is in Newberry.

Fees:

Camping fee: $15 per night

Directions:

Take M-123 north from Newberry 4 miles to Four Mile corner. Turn west on county road H37 / CR407 and follow for approx. 20 miles. Cross the Two Heart River at High Bridge and turn left at the Pretty Lake State Forestry Campground sign (county road 416 - dirt) about 1/4 mile past river. Follow CR 416 approx 3 miles to campground sign. Turn left into campground.

Contact:

Michigan DNR

Newberry, MI

(906) 293-3293