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Established Camping

Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI)

Bay View, near Brimley, Michigan, is a fantastic campground that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor fun right along the shores of Lake Superior. With spacious sites that provide easy access to the beach, it’s a prime spot for families and friends looking to unwind and soak up the sun.

The campground is known for its clean facilities and friendly camp hosts who go out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay. Visitors rave about the well-maintained vault toilets and the availability of firewood right at the campsite, making it easy to enjoy cozy evenings by the fire. One camper noted, “The camp host was very friendly and helpful,” which speaks volumes about the welcoming atmosphere here.

For those who love the water, the sandy beach is just a stone's throw away, perfect for swimming or simply lounging by the waves. Many campers have highlighted the stunning views and the peaceful sound of the water, with one saying, “Fall asleep to the sound of waves.” Plus, the campground is conveniently located for day trips to nearby attractions like Tahquamenon Falls and the historic Point Iroquois Lighthouse.

While the campground doesn’t offer electric hookups or showers, the natural setting and the chance to connect with nature more than make up for it. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, Bay View is a great choice for a memorable camping experience.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Hiawatha National Forest

Overview

Located just off the Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Bay View Campground provides a rustic opportunity to camp along the shores of Lake Superior. The campground is a perfect stop amidst many recreational opportunities available in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Whitefish Bay National Scenic Byway all the way to the beautiful Tahquamenon Falls.

Recreation

Miles of sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets stretch across Lake Superior, the greatest single body of fresh water in the world. Birding and sightseeing are popular pastimes, and visitors enjoy long walks along Superior's beaches.

Natural Features

The campground is located in Lake Superior's famous Whitefish Bay, the site of numerous historically preserved shipwrecks and lighthouse stations. The area is also a natural corridor for migratory birds.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (906) 373-2272.

Nearby Attractions

Tahquamenon Falls, a series of beautifully brown-colored waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River, are located just 30 miles away. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and Whitefish Point Lighthouse are 39 miles to the north and west while the Point Iroquois Lighthouse lies about 8 miles east.

Charges & Cancellations

Please cancel 7 days in advance if you need to cancel your reservation. Reserve sites cannot be transferred to walk up sites.

Fee Info

Check-in time is anytime after 2 p.m. Early arrivals will be charged for the previous day.

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Location

Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

19456 W Lakeshore Drive, Brimley MI 49715 From Brimley, Michigan, travel west on County Road 42/Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway for approximately 8 miles. Bay View is on the north side of the road.

Coordinates

46.46 N
84.7794444 W

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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
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Fair
  • AT&T
    Poor
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

18 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2022

Beautiful Beach campground w/ shade trees

Enjoyed this clean campground with beach access at gorgeous Lake Superior. Camp host was very friendly , and helpful. Firewood was available at campsite . We were not sure if we would get a site , but we got lucky!! If you have kids great campground with some free games/ beach items available. Vault toilet (cleanest one I have ever seen !)

Site18
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Sharon H., August 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Sharon H., August 15, 2022
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Sharon H., August 15, 2022
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2022

Bay View CG

Fantastic campground along majestic Lake Superior! Warning: hand pump for water so if you have a camper, fill up elsewhere. No dump station but one nearby at casino in Bay Mills.

Site7
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Steve H., June 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Steve H., June 7, 2022
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Steve H., June 7, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Dec. 9, 2021

Loved this hidden gem of a campground in the UP!

Spent a couple nights here while touring the UP and absolutely loved it. The hosts were incredible, Verizon coverage was fair, and you can't beat that lake access. The sites offered great privacy and were fairly spacious. We loved it and will certainly be back next time we visit the UP!

Site14
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Connor N., December 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Connor N., December 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Connor N., December 9, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Sep. 26, 2021

Gorgeous Lake Superior beach experience

Gorgeous Lake Superior shore experience! Fall asleep to the sound of waves. 

Address of property:  19456 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, Michigan 49715

There are no services nearby. Plan accordingly.

Sites fronting the sand beach include: #3; #5; #6; #7; #9; #11; #13; #15; #17; #18; #20; #21;#23;#24;# 25. In fact, these campsites are very large and mostly situated about 20 feet above the beach with a path leading to the sand. Pine-Maple-Spruce-Oak forest is dense. There is a vast difference in experience if camping on the inland side of the narrow road. Try to reserve a site on the beach side where access is just a simple path away.

Sites are shady with limited dappled sun occasionally. The most beguiling sites for a tent camper are sites # 24 & #25 with minimal walk-in. 

There are 2 vault toilet outhouses in the narrow campground; and they are well-maintained. Campground hosts for 2021 were super helpful and friendly. 

The campground is close to the agate beach at the historic Point Iroquois Lighthouse first built in 1855.

Site#6
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by LoneCamper C., September 26, 2021
  • Lake Superior waves at sunset- Sept- from Bay View Campground, Hiawatha NF
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by LoneCamper C., September 26, 2021
  • (37) View All
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

Quiet, Spacious, Quick Beach Access

We stayed here 1 night in Mid-August and were absolutely thrilled with how large the sites were, how far apart the sites are, and the extremely close proximity to the beach. It also helps that The water was crystal clear. This is a must camp spot.

Site22
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Nathan C. F., September 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Nathan C. F., September 5, 2021
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Nathan C. F., September 5, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2021

Wow. Great sites, beach, and more!

Much better option than the state park at Brimley.

It’s close to lots to do, but such a beautiful setting you’ll be fine spending the whole day here, too.

The sites are large and well shaded. The beach looks like an air conditioned Caribbean beach.

Facilities seem newer and well maintained.

Beach side sites are best, but with plenty of beach trails, I’d camp in any of these sites.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Neil T., August 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Neil T., August 10, 2021
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Neil T., August 10, 2021
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2021

Jackpot!

What a great little treasure! With easy beach access and clean amenities, thanks to great camp hosts who have two firewood/game cabinet stations in the campground, this little spot is wonderful to visit. Prices are reasonable and the limited size keeps it from being overrun with bored little humans. Sandy beaches and round rock lake bottom; bring aqua-socks for sensitive feet if going for a swim. Water was clean and cool but definitely swimmable.

Site14
Month of VisitJuly
  • Pebble bottom
    Play button icon
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2021

Great place to relax

Great host A+++

Flys were out as normal but still very enjoyable place,

Site18
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Jeff F., June 11, 2021
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Jeff F., June 11, 2021
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2020

Great Eastern UP Trip Location

The campground is located in s a spot that allows you to tour the eastern UP making day trips to many of the best places to visit. Tahquamenon Falls, Whitefish Point, Soo Locks, Drummond Island, Seney, and even Pictured Rocks are a short to moderate day trip from this site.

The campground is VERY well maintained, and the sites are very private. Sites on the north side are right on Lake Superior, and the views are fantastic! This was our first USFS campground, and we were VERY impressed. We will be back!

  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Jeff P., October 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Jeff P., October 8, 2020
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Jeff P., October 8, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2020

Love it here

The site supervisor was an awesome guy, we had a nice conversation. I was camping alone and from out of state, kind of a rite of passage for me since I wanna be a manly man 🤣👌 This place was absolutely beautiful and will remember it forever

  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Michael R., September 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Michael R., September 16, 2020
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Michael R., September 16, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 27, 2020

Great Accessible Campsite in the UP

Stayed when the campground first opened back up for the 2020 season - many of the sites (not all, mostly the beach access sites) were reserved but we only needed to stay one night and were able to snag one with beach access. There’s 24 sites available, best to reserve but you can still go as first come first serve. Check in was at 2pm and hosts came by on golf cart to make sure we registered, but otherwise we had an awesome and quiet stay. Beach is AMAZING! And right down the road from another day access beach. Restrooms were one of the nicest we’ve seen in the UP + sites were large and well distanced from others, which is why I gave 5 stars. This was a great option too, since many of the National forest campgrounds nearby require reservations, but this still had first come first serve. I’d DEFINITELY stay again!

  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Ysabelle Y., June 27, 2020
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Ysabelle Y., June 27, 2020
Reviewed May. 9, 2020

Great, relaxing spot

Nice campsites with great views of lake superior (if your site is on the lakeshore side!). There are campground hosts that drive around and give you advice and that you can buy firewood from. Excellent for a relaxing weekend. Not great for hiking — we couldn’t find great trails for a long hike.

  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Nicole B., May 9, 2020
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Nicole B., May 9, 2020
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Nicole B., May 9, 2020
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2019

AMAZING

Best campground in Michigan. Sites aren’t too close together yet there are bathrooms in a reasonable walking distance from each site. Wonderful camp host and the beach is the best I’ve seen in Michigan.

  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Lauren W., July 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Lauren W., July 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Lauren W., July 12, 2019
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2018

Lake Superior Beach Walks

Good good friends recommended this fantastic Campground knowing that I wanted to wake up on the beach at Lake Superior. My campsite was perfect for my hope to see sunrises and sunsets on the beach!

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2018

Look for the walk in sites & use the wagon!

Awesome walk in spots lead right to the forested beach. Beautiful Lake Superior is just seconds from camp. Last spot out sits next to countless miles of undeveloped forest. Searching for fun stones on the shore & relaxing by the fire was bliss. Great spot. Hidden gem.

  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Valerie D., August 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Valerie D., August 17, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 30, 2018

family of 5

We camped here with our family of 5 for 2 nights. It’s a very remote campground. Grocery stores and gas are about 20 minutes away and you have to go to Sault St. Marie for better choices. When we arrived, they were out of firewood to buy. The campground host, Gilly (Santa) helped us with firewood and made us feel very welcome. He had a community box of games that we could use during our stay. We used sand buckets and shovels to play with during or stay. He had solar lights by our site nunbers and checked on us numerous times. Our campsite #3 walked right out to the sandy beach of Lake Superior. There are no showers and only vault toilets that were kept as ckean as possible. Germ-x was available and a well water pump was located in the center of the camping loop. There were mosquitoes and they loved my son even with bug spray but they didn’t bother me. It was a BEAUTIFUL lake side campground.

  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Melissa A., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Melissa A., June 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) by Melissa A., June 30, 2018
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Wife loves the beach, I love the trails

Being from WI going to the UP is a must. For my wife who is from Maryland, sandy beaches are a must. This was a good fit for us. This campground offers you the chance to camp right along the shores of Lake Superior. There are sandy beaches and shipwrecks in the bay which have been preserved for tourists and history geeks. Our campsite had a fire ring, grill, and picnic table. Bring your foil with (as always!) because the grill may not be in the best shape... My best bit of advise if you are car camping here is to take the trip to see Tahquamenon Falls. It is a series of waterfalls on a river of the same name that is really beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI)?

    Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) allows vehicles up to 50 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI)?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI), although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI)?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is fair, AT&T is poor, and T-Mobile is good.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI)?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI). If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI), try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI)?

    There are 24 campsites at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts