Notable lake · Mackinac, Michigan
Nelson Lake
Nelson Lake is a lake in Mackinac, Michigan.
Nelson Lake: crowds and conditions
Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.
Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.
Best time to visit Nelson Lake
Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.
Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.
Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.
Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.
How to reach Nelson Lake — distance from nearby cities
Coordinates: 46.22813, -85.38072. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.
Places to visit near Nelson Lake
- Garlyn Zoo · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~20 km · Must-see
- Little Hog Island · river spot · Mackinac · ~24 km · Must-see
- South Manistique Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~38 km · Must-see
- Manistique Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~39 km · Must-see
- Hiawatha National Forest · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~40 km · Must-see
- Milakokia Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~46 km · Must-see
- Fred Dye Nature Sanctuary · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~47 km · Must-see
- Lansing Shoal Lighthouse · beach · Michigan · ~48 km · Must-see
- Tahquamenon Falls (Upper Falls) · waterfall · Luce · ~50 km · Must-see
- Brevoort Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~54 km · Must-see
- Mackinac Wilderness · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~56 km · Must-see
- Betsy Lake · lake · Luce · ~57 km · Must-see
- Squaw Island Lighthouse · beach · Charlevoix · ~58 km · Must-see
- Hat Island · sanctuary · Charlevoix · ~58 km · Must-see
- White Shoal Lighthouse · beach · Michigan · ~59 km · Must-see
- Delirium Wilderness · sanctuary · Chippewa · ~65 km · Must-see
- Muskallonge Lake · lake · Luce · ~66 km · Must-see
- Seul Choix Point · beach · Schoolcraft · ~66 km · Must-see
Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near Nelson Lake
- South Manistique Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~38 km · Must-see
- Manistique Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~39 km · Must-see
- Milakokia Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~46 km · Must-see
- Brevoort Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~54 km · Must-see
- Betsy Lake · lake · Luce · ~57 km · Must-see
- Muskallonge Lake · lake · Luce · ~66 km · Must-see
- Muskallonge Lake State Park · lake · Luce · ~67 km · Must-see
- Gulliver Lake · lake · Schoolcraft · ~71 km · Must-see
- Chain Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~78 km · Must-see
- Lake Michigan–Huron · lake · Michigan · ~84 km · Must-see
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) · © GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) · Overture Maps Foundation (CDLA-Permissive-2.0)
Frequently asked
Is Nelson Lake full? Are the gates open?
No visitor has reported the water level status for Nelson Lake yet. Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Busiest: Weekends and long holidays.
What is the best time to visit Nelson Lake?
August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open. Moderate; weekends busier.
What are the places to visit near Nelson Lake?
Nearby: Garlyn Zoo (sanctuary, 20 km), Little Hog Island (river spot, 24 km), South Manistique Lake (lake, 38 km), Manistique Lake (lake, 39 km), Hiawatha National Forest (sanctuary, 40 km), Milakokia Lake (lake, 46 km).
Is Nelson Lake worth visiting?
Nelson Lake is listed as a notable lake in Michigan on Spotwander.