$15 / night

Camper submitted image from Portage Bay State Forest Campground - 1

Camper submitted image from Portage Bay State Forest Campground - 2

Nature

Camper submitted image from Portage Bay State Forest Campground - 3

Facilities

Camper submitted image from Portage Bay State Forest Campground - 4

Roads

Camper submitted image from Portage Bay State Forest Campground - 5

People

Established Camping

Portage Bay State Forest Campground

11 Reviews

About

State Park

Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp

Suggest an Edit

Location

Portage Bay State Forest Campground is located in Michigan

Address

12.75 Ln
Garden, MI 49835

Coordinates

45.74169742 N
86.53512566999999 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

$15

/ night

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

First Come - First Served

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Contact

General Info

Matt

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 28, 2022

Read Reviews

My wife and I came here for our honeymoon, and there have been zero regrets.We are both working professionals and it’s been great to unplug and disconnect from the online world so if you are someone who needs a break from social media, I highly recommend.

Pros: Quiet near the shoreline. Clean campsites Nice campers

Con (ish) : there is zero cell service or plugs (that we noticed) so pre download your music/entire entertainment and have battery backups.

Firewood: Plenty of locals have firewood for sale near the campground.

Site12

Month of VisitSeptember

Mitch + Kristi N.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2022

fantastic

this campground is amazing. secluded sites & a beautiful beach just behind each site. after labor day we were one of only 3 camping here. just down the street is Fayette state park definitely worth a visit.

Site?

Month of VisitOctober

Art S.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2022

A long way down a dirt road

7 miles down a road that quickly shrinks to a one lane dirt and gravel road you will find a beautiful campground stretching out along the lakeshore. It’s where the road ends so just keep going until you find it.

The campsites are all on the lake but some have sand hills blocking the view. There were plenty of open sites when we came out here. Several brought pop up campers but larger RVs might have a tough time. There are a couple vault toilets and one water hand pump. A boat launch is just before the campground.

This is a beautiful place to enjoy the shore of Lake Michigan. Walking along the shore is an option but pay attention to what is public or private property. The road seemed too narrow to safely walk but it’s possible using caution. We also passed one dispersed campsite but were unsure if it was on public land.

(12) View All

Jason L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2022

Summer adventure

Nice small quiet camp ground on lake Michigan. Bring your own TP

Sitesite 3

Month of VisitAugust

John G.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2022

Remote Lake Michigan shoreline, 10 out of 10

We like a primitive camp with pit toilets and basic water, which is what this is. Remote location. Perfect 10 out of 10 for us. Long but well maintained dirt road access. Every site has a short trail to the sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan. The cove is several miles across and shallow. In late June the water was swim-ably warm. Easy firewood if you have basic hand tools. Moderate bug level. 2/3 full on a late June weekend. Two short hiking trails into the boggy woods and along the shoreline. 0-1 cellular bars for ATT at #23, 1-2 bars at #1.

Site#23

Month of VisitJuly

Michael M.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 8, 2021

Lk Michigan backyard

This place has some very nice large sites that you can walk right out to the beach from. The drive in from US2 is kinda long but worth it. If you like secluded quiet campgrounds then check this place out.

Site8

Month of VisitOctober

Meredith J.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 2, 2021

A gem!

Amazing place. Only one other campsite was occupied so we had the whole cove practically to ourselves. Was planning on only one night. But stayed 2 because we enjoyed ourselves so much. We will stay here again. No electric. No water. No dump. Hand pump water available.

Site17

Month of VisitOctober

Brian H.

Guide

Reviewed Dec. 4, 2020

Went back in August of 2020

Still the best most secluded place, fishing was excellent

Chris F.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 23, 2019

Great for paddling!

Secluded dense wooded area along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, which most sites have a trail leading to. I’ve camped here many times and I plan on to again in the future. Great spot for any paddling sports in the warmer months.

Brian H.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2019

The perfect campground

Quiet private campsite on the lake 15$ a nite Great beach great swimming awesome fishing Outhouse toilets no electric 5 miles in no noise Plenty of room between most campsites. My family has been goin there for nearly 50 yrs. I’ll return no doubt