Crystal Lake Boat Launch
About
Crystal Lake Boat Launch is a Forest Service boat launch in the Kenton Ranger District of Michigan's Ottawa National Forest, about 11 miles from the town of Covington. Summer is the most comfortable time to get on the water. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July highs around 76°F with lows near 53°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. The East Branch Ontonagon River, a canoeing route, lies about 3 miles away. Within roughly 7 miles you'll also find Sidnaw Creek for a hike, Sturgeon River Campground, and Norway Lake Campground.
Launch Details
Managed by
Forest Service
Location
Sidnaw
Michigan
Data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database License (ODbL). View or edit on OpenStreetMap.
Facts about this place
When to go
Best time to go: May–Sep. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 64–76°F and lows of 39–53°F.
Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Watton 2wsw, MI weather station, 6 mi away. High / low in °F.
- Jan22° high6° low
- Feb25° high7° low
- Mar37° high14° low
- Apr49° high27° low
- May64° high39° low
- Jun72° high49° low
- Jul76° high53° low
- Aug74° high52° low
- Sep67° high45° low
- Oct53° high34° low
- Nov38° high24° low
- Dec27° high13° low
Where it is
- Kenton Ranger District · Ranger district
- Ottawa National Forest · National forest
- Nearest town
- Covington, Michigan · 11 mi
Conditions
Active alerts for Ottawa National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:
critical · posted Sep 17, 2026
Black River Waterfall Platforms and Trails Undergoing Major Repairs
information · posted Sep 17, 2026
Occupancy and Use - Forest Order 5300-09-07-01-07
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Alcohol and Drugs Within the Ottawa National Forest - Forest Order 09-07-21-01
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Wilderness Order - Forest Order 09-07-21-07
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Sylvania Perimeter Area - Forest Order 09-07-21-06
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Fire, Operating Internal and External Combustion Engines, and Fireworks - Forest Order 09-07-21-02
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Off-Highway Vehicles and Over-Snow Vehicles - Forest Order 09-07-21-05
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Occupancy and Use - Forest Order 09-07-21-04
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
National Forest System Roads and Trails Order - Forest Order 09-07-21-03
information · posted Aug 24, 2026
Source: USFS forest alerts
Nearby
- East Branch Ontonagon RiverCanoeing3.3 mi
- Sidnaw CreekHiking5.3 mi
- Kenton Ranger DistrictLake fishing6.2 mi
- Nesbit LakeHiking6.8 mi
- Norway Lake Boat LandingHiking6.8 mi
- Sturgeon River CampgroundCamping6.9 mi
- Norway Lake CampgroundCamping7.2 mi
- Lake Ste. Kathryn CampgroundCamping7.8 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Is Crystal Lake Boat Launch open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Ottawa National Forest. It doesn't name Crystal Lake Boat Launch, so check the source for the area it covers.
Temporary Road Closures
Agency closure covering Ottawa National Forest · Order 09-07-00-26-01 · USFS · Ottawa National Forest
Spring Road Conditions
Agency alert covering Ottawa National Forest · USFS · Ottawa National Forest
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Agency alert covering Ottawa National Forest · USFS · Ottawa National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Ottawa National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Best time to visit Crystal Lake Boat Launch
Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
22° / 6°
19 wet
Feb
25° / 7°
15 wet
Mar
37° / 14°
12 wet
Apr
49° / 27°
13 wet
May
64° / 39°
13 wet
Jun
72° / 49°
12 wet
Jul
76° / 53°
11 wet
Aug
74° / 52°
11 wet
Sep
67° / 45°
14 wet
Oct
53° / 34°
16 wet
Nov
38° / 24°
17 wet
Dec
27° / 13°
19 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Watton 2wsw, MI, 6 mi away at 1,394 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors