Craft & Seasonality
✓
Motorboat ✓
Kayak / Canoe ✓
Jet Ski / PWC ✓
Large 22ft+ ✓
Winter Access Site Details
Conditions change rapidly due to water levels, prop wash, and weather. Always visually inspect before backing down.
RampPaved, 3 lanes
Dock2 skid piers with red/green channel markers for safe ingress and egress · ADA
Trailer Parking45 spots · asphalt
Vehicle-Only45 spots
Crowding Less crowded than West or South. DNR staff manage busy summer days smoothly.
Plan B — if this lot is full Higgins Lake West (3.5 mi, 6 lanes, 137 spots, open 24 hrs)
South Higgins Lake State Park (7 mi, 9 lanes, 210 spots)
South Higgins Lake State Park (7 mi, 9 lanes, 210 spots)
FeeMI Recreation Passport (annual, on vehicle registration)
Hours8 AM – 10 PM
SeasonYear-round (winter camping available). Park office weekdays only in winter — self-registration drop box at entrance.
RestroomsVault toilet (1)
PierYes
AIS StationDecontamination tools on-site
StaffedYes
AccessibilityAccessible piers, parking, and restrooms. Accessible walkway to water. Beach wheelchair and track chair available to borrow at no cost.
Not Available Fish cleaning · Fishing pier
Scout's Notes
Ramp Quirks & Etiquette
The Quieter Option
North Higgins is the smallest of the three DNR launches on the lake — 3 lanes and 45 trailer spots vs. 6 and 9 at West and South. That's the appeal. It's less chaotic on busy weekends and consistently described as clean, well-maintained, and easy to use. If you don't need the capacity of the bigger launches, this is the more relaxed experience.
Staffed on Busy Days
DNR staff are on-site during peak summer days to keep the ramp moving. At least one reviewer specifically credits them with managing a busy day smoothly — a contrast to the complaints about chaos at Higgins Lake West.
Park Amenities
North Higgins Lake State Park sits on 449 acres along the north shore — campground with mini cabins, sandy beach with beach house, picnic shelters, playground, kayak rentals, and the Higgins Lake Nursery & CCC Museum connected by trail. Trails are popular for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Pet-friendly. A smelt fishing destination in winter — forum regulars name North and West as the two go-to spots on the lake for smelt.
Crawford County
This is the only Higgins Lake launch in Crawford County — the other two are in Roscommon County. The local watercraft controls page is different (Crawford vs. Roscommon), though neither county has Higgins-specific rules beyond standard Michigan boating law.
Winter Access
The state park entrance may be gated in winter. Forum posts suggest the North park office has limited winter hours (weekdays only) with a self-registration drop box for permits. If you're ice fishing, Higgins Lake West (open 24 hours, no gate) is the more reliable winter access point.
Sources: Google Reviews (2018–2025), michigan-sportsman.com forums, DNR GIS data
About This Lake
Higgins Lake →