Maple Lake – Campsite #9

I’ve paddled by this island before but I had always been curious to check it out on shore. I have to say, it’s a pretty great campsite. The island is teeny tiny, you can see the whole thing from anywhere you stand. The front of the site faces south with a pretty view towards the narrows of Maple Lake. The front of the campsite is dominated by large, smooth, relatively flat chunks of rock that make it easy to find somewhere to land and unload, and even easier to find somewhere to swim, sunbathe, and stargaze. It’s small enough to satisfy a solo traveler yet somehow simultaneously big enough to comfortably fit a large group. The fire pit is located right near the front shoreline without much tree coverage; it is heavily exposed to the elements. There’s one big rock and one small log to sit on beside the fire pit, which isn’t great for a large group. Tucked away and a bit more sheltered are two large tent spots, one of them being supersized and could easily fit two to three tents. One final feature is a quick path leading to some rocks facing northwest that can be accessed for another viewpoint out onto Maple Lake. Personally, I love these types of stranded island campsites, but I can see how people may want more space to explore, or more protection from the elements during the shoulder seasons.