US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsSurface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 122383047).
The red circle marks Lake May.
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 71-53). 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 122383047), 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 13 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Lake May, 1 of them within 5 miles. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.
Tent sites · Cabins or yurts
RVs welcome · Tent sites
RVs welcome · Drinking water
RVs welcome · Tent sites
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: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.
Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (45.2571, -83.9493). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Lake May. 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.
1 public access site listed, 1 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.
| Site | Town | Owner | Type | Parking | Fee | Uses | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake May boating access site | Bismarck | Michigan DNR | Boat launch · Yes ramp | — | — | Boating | 45.2575, -83.9456 |
Michigan DNR boating access sites
Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.
On OpenStreetMap: 1 beach or swimming spot on the shore of Lake May not marked private, residents-only or members-only.
| Beach | Type | Access | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach (unnamed on OpenStreetMap) | 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.
Lake May covers about 189 acres in Bismarck, Michigan (Presque Isle County).
The maximum recorded depth is 22 feet, according to the Michigan DNR stocking and lake depth records.
No trailer ramp is listed, but there is 1 public access site for car-top boats or shore access.
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 13 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 1 of them within 5 miles.
Lake May touches Bismarck in Presque Isle County, Michigan.
Know Lake May? 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 Bismarck