US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsSurface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 118045583).
The red circle marks Chain Lake.
Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline.
Official Michigan DNR pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.
Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Institute for Fisheries Research inland lake deepest-point data (lake 49-13). Lake depth maps are on the DNR inland lake maps page.
Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.
Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 118045583), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: Michigan DNR boating access sites. Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.
We found 21 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Chain Lake, 7 of them within 5 miles. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.
Electric hookups · RVs welcome · Tent sites · Toilets
RVs welcome
RVs welcome
RVs welcome
Electric hookups · RVs welcome · Dump station
Electric hookups · RVs welcome · Tent sites · Toilets
All campgrounds & RV parks in Michigan
Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.
Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.
Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (45.8786, -84.7574). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Chain Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.
Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in ET (America/Detroit), and accurate to within a few minutes.
On OpenStreetMap: 1 beach or swimming spot on the shore of Chain Lake not marked private, residents-only or members-only.
| Beach | Type | Access | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Lake Beach | Beach | Access not tagged; check posted rules | Get directions |
Beaches: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), within about 150 m (500 ft) of the lake outline. A mapped beach is not a guarantee that swimming is allowed, supervised or safe; some town beaches need a resident sticker even when the map doesn't say so. Check posted rules and water-quality advisories before you swim.
Chain Lake covers about 327 acres in Moran, Michigan (Mackinac County).
The maximum recorded depth is 10 feet, according to the Michigan DNR stocking and lake depth records.
OpenStreetMap shows 1 public beach or swimming spot on the shore. None of our sources lists a lifeguard, so swim at your own risk and follow posted rules.
Yes. We list 21 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 7 of them within 5 miles.
Chain Lake touches Moran in Mackinac County, Michigan.
Know Chain Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).
Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Michigan lakes & ponds · All waters in Moran