Pictured Rocks National Park is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Pictured Rocks National Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Pictured Rocks National Park camping trip.
$25 - $35 / night
"Another really nice amenity was the lantern posts next to the picnic table and the grill grate attached to the fire pit. Can’t recommend this place enough."
"Twelvemile Beach sits along a foredune of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, an intensely remote stretch of shoreline with Grand Marais to the east and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to"
"It gets cold in pictured rocks and being away from the gusts of wind coming off the lake and being able to warm up via fire is ideal."
"This is another easy-hike site located in the park. The site is situated not along Lake Superior, but Little Beaver Lake--although the name can be misleading."
$25 / night
"There are paths in between all the campsites to either the main road or up to the upper campground."
"General: Very small (12-site) rustic campground on Lake Superior (Pictured Rocks National Seashore); although none of the sites have a direct view or access to the lake, it is just a short walk down"
$15 / night
"I'm very thankful to the state of Michigan for having first-come first-serve options like Kingston Lake!"
"Very quiet and a close, easy drive to the Pictured Rocks hikes I wanted to do. Spots are large and spaced out. Campground is first come first served, $15 a night + Michigan recreation pass."
$15 / night
"unable to find a site at Pictured Rocks we were directed to this state forest campground. it was our first stay at a SF campground in Michigan and since we have sought them out and stayed in many. gorgeous"
"From talking to the locals we met on the back roads, this campground and the others nearby are becoming more popular. We stayed at site 6 which is on the inside of the loop not lakeside."
$30 - $40 / night
"Nice little town with views of Lake Superior and close to Pictured Rocks, however it’s a first come situation."
"Right on the water, just a few steps down and easy to do and im disabled. Real close to the falls. Def will visit again"
$20 / night
"We had site #8 which was large, near the toilets and near the water pump. (As someone else mentioned, the vault toilets are like no others we’ve experienced. Amazingly clean and new.)"
"If you’re into getting off the grid in the middle of the forest with nearby lakes this is a great spot. Small campground with private sites within pictures rocks lakeshore."
$29 - $45 / night
"Booked this trip with the sole purpose of kayaking the Pictured Rocks National Park. Camp site was great, had a great walk in site which was right in the beach of Lake Superior."
"AMAZING views of Lake Superior just steps away from the camp site. Spots don't stay empty for long. The RV park stays full"
$24 / night
"It's a small campground, but very near the lake, and the coolest part is the old blast furnace (hence the name of the camp on the bay) on display."
"Convenient to Pictured Rocks, which is why we made this trip to Michigan."
$25 / night
"It's a pretty far drive from Munising, but fairly close to Miner's Castle. Lots of trails near by. And there is a boat launch at the campsite."
"This is the campground to stay at for the easiest access to Miners Castle which is one of the more popular places to check out in the Pictured Rocks area. "
GuideI stayed in one of the rustic tent sites, which sound really isolated on the site but really are not. That said, they were really nice campsites! I had an unfortunate RV couple watching tv and full on yelling at the game until 12:30am which sucked, but the owners took care of it. The location is fantastic - lots of kayaking nearby and hiking too. This area never disappoints.
GuideAfter a sleepless night previously we needed a quiet spot. This filled the bill! Just 2 miles off the East West Rt 28 in middle of UP it was convenient and quiet. Even had 20 Amp or a less crowded park like site also available. Vault toilets too. Needed a bit of cleaning. But a great quiet ( though the electric side of park mostly filled) place to park for night.
GuideTwo-Hearted is a 5-star, rustic campground, with easy access to the water including a boat launch; for hikers, there is also access to the "North Country Trail". The sites have ample space with a firepit and picnic table. The privies were clean and well-kept as is the whole campground, and potable water is available. There is a scenic foot bridge over river. It is a short walk from any campsite to the river, or Lake Superior at the river’s mouth with fantastic sunsets from the beach.
There was a friendly host when we were there. He was heading out one morning and offered to shuttle us and our kayaks to point where we had a nice paddle back to the campground. I had to slip a twenty into the console of his pick-up as he refused any in-hand donation for his gesture.
ANOTHER MATTER.
Unless you enjoy extreme vibration, the journey to the campground is quite a trial, as are all dirt roads in the area. You may want to acquire an athletic mouth guard, because the deep ripple of the washboard road surface creates a teeth-chattering ride. I don’t know if that depends on the time of the year. My, “I survived the road to Crisp Point” decal was well earned, and I should have received the same in regard to the 2-Hearted River. I had to replace 4 self-threading bolts that vibrated out of my kayak trailer, luckily, they weren't securing anything structural. You should also keep an eye out for sand traps. It took the removal of my kayak trailer, some foot scraping and brush beneath my rear wheels for me to get me out of one.
When traveling in this area I strongly recommend a good map that shows and identifies each county road. Do not rely on Google maps as it can send you in the wrong direction, that’s how I ended up way out at Crisp Point. (Although the lighthouse was nice.) Google is also good at directing you down, what I would describe as trails that don't deserve their road names, more suitable for off-road vehicles, preferably dirt bikes.
The landscape in this is area is kind of spooky, a ghost forest, thanks to a wildfire a few years back.
This was one of the early adventures with my 18’ Class-B camper van.
ScoutThe campground itself is very nice, with concrete pads and very clean. I'm only giving it lower stars for two reasons. First the "lake view" sites don't actually have a view of the lake unless you count being able to see between a few branches. Second, the beach is way too polluted to use. There must be a paper mill or some other wood processing plant near by because the beach and the water filled with ground up wood shavings piled in every direction. We brought our kayaks but there was no way you could go in the water. However, if you just ignore the lake, it is a very nice campground.
TravelerFound on way to another campsite. Large sites with plenty of flat ground for tenting. Think there were 19 primitive sites in total. There’s a water pump but no electrical. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit. Does technically require a Michigan recreation passport ($40 out of state annual, $11 out of state daily, or $12 in state annual) and a $20 campsite fee but did not appear to be enforced late in the season when I was there.
TravelerWas slightly passed the pin marker on the same unlaced road - only about 1/4-1/2 off the highway. Sites are fairly spacious but don’t have any of the hookups or amenities mentioned on the site profile - some do have rudimentary fire pits though. There are 3 sites in total. Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp. Camp in early September, bugs were minimal. At times the night was eerily silent, at other times I heard dirt bikes and tractor trailers in the distance, also heard a pack of coyotes at one point and pretty sure I heard some sort of padfooted animal walk by my site once or twice.
TravelerSpent the 2025 camping season here as the campground host and it is fantastic. May/June quiet with only the sounds of eagles, bull frogs, mosquitoes, and black flies. Bring your bug spray and nets, fish from the small (donation) boat launch and enjoy a picnic/swimming at the day use area. July/Aug the bugs went away and summer was here and gone that fast. The water is beautiful and warmer than Lake Superior. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms. Peaceful campground.
RangerRelatively nice campground, was there over Labor Day weekend but used campsite as base and spent time in day trips to Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore & Sault St Marie. Camp ground was pretty full. The lake is accessible with a small beach and swimming section that many campers used. Sites are plenty big. Water shared between sites, fire ring, table & lamp post at each site. Good place to disconnect from devices because Internet & cell connectivity was nonexistent with Star Link & TMobile. We still enjoyed our 3 day stay.
GuideExcellent location! Not a whole lot of full hook up sites available. Several out in the open right at the highway… back in the woods there is electric only. Peaceful campground but no cell service or starlink under the tree canopy. Fine for a night or two but plan accordingly if you need cell service.
Camping near Pictured Rocks National Park, Michigan, offers stunning views and a chance to connect with nature. With several campgrounds in the area, each has its own unique features and experiences.
Camping near Pictured Rocks National Park, Michigan, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, it’s a perfect getaway for families and RVers alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp with an RV in Pictured Rocks National Park?
Yes, RV camping is available near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, though options within the park itself are limited. Bay Furnace Campground near Munising accommodates big rigs and offers convenient access to the park. Munising Tourist Park Campground is another excellent option with RV-friendly sites and clean facilities, located right on Lake Superior's beach with easy access to Pictured Rocks. Many campgrounds in the region don't have full hookups, so come prepared with water and a charged battery. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak summer months when sites fill quickly.
What camping amenities are available at Pictured Rocks National Park?
Amenities vary across campgrounds in and around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Twelvemile Beach Campground offers basic amenities including lantern posts by picnic tables, grills, and toilet facilities, plus beautiful beach access. Camp Seven Lake Campground features lakeside sites with paths to the water, a boat launch, and beach access. Most campgrounds in the area provide vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Water availability is limited at many sites, so bringing your own is recommended. Shower facilities are rare within the park itself, but some nearby campgrounds like those in Munising offer clean shower buildings. Cell service is generally limited throughout the area.
What are the best seasons for camping at Pictured Rocks National Park?
Summer (June through August) is the prime camping season at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, offering warm days perfect for kayaking, hiking, and swimming. Early fall (September) brings stunning foliage and fewer crowds. Au Train Lake Campground is an excellent base during these seasons, offering peaceful wooded sites just 15 minutes from Munising. South Gemini Lake State Forest Campground provides a secluded alternative when Pictured Rocks sites are full. Memorial Day through Labor Day is the busiest period. Late spring can be beautiful but prepare for cool nights and potential black fly season. Winter camping is possible for experienced campers but facilities are extremely limited with most campgrounds closed.
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