Camp Barakel is located in Oscoda County, 5 miles east of Fairview on Highway M-72, in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
For GPS systems, use 1798 Shear Lake Rd, Fairview, MI 48621. For some older GPS systems you might want to use 4501 E. Miller Rd., Fairview, MI 48621 to avoid ending up in the national forest! (For mailing addresses, see here.)
If you’re driving from Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Big Rapids, Cadillac, or other areas of West Michigan, M-72 runs east from Traverse City to Barakel. If you come north on U.S. 131, go to just south of Kalkaska and turn east toward Grayling on M-72. Continue east to Mio.
If you’re coming from Lansing, St. Johns, Mt. Pleasant, Clare, or other parts of Central Michigan, come north on U.S. 27. You’ll notice that it merges with I-75 about 5 miles south of Grayling. Travel to the left-hand Grayling exit, number 254. After exiting, turn east on M-72 (a right-hand turn at the first traffic light). Travel 32 miles east to Mio.
If you’re driving from Detroit, Ann Arbor, Flint, Saginaw, or other parts of East Michigan, proceed north on I-75 to Exit number 202. This is the “Alger” exit. At this point take M-33 north (right-hand merge at the exit) through Rose City to Mio.
M-72 and M-33 join at the traffic stop light (this is the only one in the county). At this point you are 9 miles from Fairview. Follow M-72 east or M-33 north (they are the same highway for these nine miles—saves time for the local snowplow drivers).
M-72 and M-33 separate at the yellow blinking traffic light (there is only one in Fairview). Stay on M-72—this is done by driving straight through town. Come east of the traffic light for 5 miles. Our entrance is on the north (left) side of the road. There is a street light suspended above the highway at our entrance.
After turning left onto our dirt road, proceed north for a half-mile, where the first building you will come to is the Camp Office.