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Established Camping

Fayette State Park Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Fayette State Park Campground, near Garden, Michigan, is a unique spot that combines natural beauty with a touch of history. Set against the backdrop of Lake Michigan, this campground offers nicely spaced sites that provide a good mix of shade and open space, perfect for relaxing by the fire or enjoying a picnic.

The facilities here are top-notch, with clean bathrooms and showers that visitors rave about. Many campers appreciate the electric hookups available at the sites, making it easier to enjoy the comforts of home while surrounded by nature. As one camper noted, “The bath and shower facilities are very new and nice,” which adds to the overall experience.

For those who love a bit of adventure, the historic ghost town nearby is a must-see. You can stroll through the old streets and explore the buildings during the day, and some campers enjoy the spooky vibe at night. Plus, the sunsets over the lake are nothing short of spectacular, making it a great spot for evening relaxation. With hiking trails that are easy to navigate, Fayette State Park Campground is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to unwind and soak in the beauty of Michigan's outdoors.

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Location

Fayette State Park Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

45.71793253 N
86.64905682 W

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Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
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    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Detours Nearby

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Tom's Lake Cabin

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Dec. 15, 2024

Must Visit

I have been coming here since I was a kid. Love the ghost town, beach and the sunsets are amazing!

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Oct. 29, 2024

The seagulls provide entertainment!

General: 61 site campground; 11 are 20/30/50 amp pull-thru sites and the rest are back-in 20/30 amp. A surprise was seeing so many seagulls and they were, although annoying, also quite entertaining! 

Site Quality: All sites are dirt/grass and level. The sites are close together with very little to no privacy separating them. 

Bath/Shower: In addition to men’s and women’s restrooms, there are two all-gender shower rooms and two family restrooms with shower. Except for dead bugs, they were clean. The shower was very nice– spacious and had good hot water, although there was almost always a wait to use one. 

Activities/Amenities: We camped here to take a self-guided tour of the ghost town, which took about two hours. There are several short-distance interconnecting trails that are mostly well-marked. Be aware, however, that after about a half mile, the Overlook Trail was no longer maintained – the grass was very tall and there was only a narrow footpath; I ended up turning back after going a short distance and seeing that it was not going to improve. There is also a boat harbor. It was quite a juxtaposition between the historical buildings and the loud groups of people partying on their boats! 

Once we explored the ghost town (which was very interesting), one night was just enough time for us to spend here, and it looked like many others were doing the same. The campground was completely full on a Saturday in mid-June but by Sunday morning, it had emptied out.

Site4
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Lee D., October 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Lee D., October 29, 2024
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Lee D., October 29, 2024
  • (15) View All
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2024

Good

The facilities here are top-notch, with clean bathrooms and showers that visitors rave about. Solar Many campers appreciate the electric hookups available at the sites, making it easier to enjoy the comforts of home while surrounded by nature.

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2024

Great campground

New, clean bathrooms and showers. Showers are private and door locks. Campsites are very close together, little privacy. Walking trails that connect the campground to the old Fayette town on the coast are nearby.

Site61
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Alex M., September 30, 2024
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Alex M., September 30, 2024
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Alex M., September 30, 2024
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Sep. 15, 2024

Nice spot, GREAT bathrooms

Stayed here beginning of September for a few days. Site 53 and 54. 53 is nearly at the top of the horseshoe and has trail access to Lake MI. Site 54 starts a series of smaller, back in slot type sites. This stretch of sites was primarily used by overnighters in while we were here, and might be tight for a family to stretch their legs.  The campground was pretty quiet, despite being full. The beauty of this campground is the trail access to the beach and lakefront, along with the nice modern bathrooms and showers.  One drawback to these particular sites is the wall of invasive cocklebur along the outside, and you would get absolutely covered if you got near them.  You can see them in my photo.  Note: the lake area near the campground is all rip rap rock, like the white rock in the sunset photo with trees. There is a trail that goes past the boat landing to nice sand beach.

Site53 and 54
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Adam A., September 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Adam A., September 15, 2024
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Adam A., September 15, 2024
Reviewed Sep. 27, 2022

Beautiful State Park

Isolated, quiet park on Lake Michigan. Nicely spaced and shaded sites. Some level, many not so great. Big fire rings. Picnic tables. Electric hookups only. Bath and shower facilities very new and nice. Spotty phone service. Historic ghost town within walking distance of the campground. Many buildings open during the day with displays of what life was like when the town was occupied. Great history lesson and very interesting. Although town buildings were locked at night, you could still walk the streets. Spooky but fun! Sunsets on the lake are spectacular. Many hiking trails around the park. Not strenuous and fairly short. However, trails could use better markings.

Site9
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Carol , September 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Carol , September 27, 2022
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Carol , September 27, 2022
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2022

Close quarters but very nice!

We were a little close to our neighbors but that was ok. The historic site is awesome and the beach is beautiful. Great sunsets. Night skies were gorgeous. Campground is nice, just a little close to neighbors camping.

Site38
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Michael V., September 16, 2022
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Michael V., September 16, 2022
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Michael V., September 16, 2022
  • (16) View All
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2019

Secluded quiet

Fayette was a perfect end to a week long tour of the U.P. The grounds are exceptionally clean and well kept. The only downfall is that the campground roads are gravel and can be a bit dusty when it’s dry. The historical site was a great way to spend a couple hours.

  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Cory W., August 20, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 13, 2018

Nice and clean, but noisy.

The campground was very nice and clean. Very nice bathroom and shower house. The campsites are very close together and do not allow for any privacy. There were 2 groups on opposite sides of the campground making noise until 2am and then the seagulls started squawking at 5am.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Kara W., July 13, 2018
Reviewed May. 3, 2018

the ghost town!

When you camp here you can visit the townsite at night. I'm a photographer and i love the challenge of taking night pictures! I love the history here.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2016

Fayette Historic State Park Campground

This park is off the main road but worth stopping at. The campground is located next to a restored historic village. There are self-guided walking tours of it that are really engaging as well as a visitor center. The campground has a variety of sites. I chose one near the beach. A walk through the grass and I was able to eat my meals along the shore. There were not many campsites being used which added to the remote feeling. Bring all your supplies because this is a simple campground. There are also some places for boats to camp on the other side of the historic village. I traveled here by bicycle and it was a very nice ride.

  • Review photo of Fayette State Park Campground by Art S., July 12, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Are reservations required for camping at Fayette Historic State Park?

While reservations aren't strictly required at Fayette Historic State Park Campground, they're highly recommended, especially during peak summer months and weekends. The campground has 61 sites total (11 pull-through and 50 back-in), and sites can fill up quickly. Some smaller sites along the inner loop appear to accommodate more overnight visitors. Contact the park directly or use Michigan's state park reservation system to secure your spot in advance.

What does the Fayette Historic State Park Campground look like?

Fayette Historic State Park Campground features a mix of dirt and grass sites arranged in a horseshoe layout. The campground is situated near a beautiful beach with stunning Lake Michigan sunsets and gorgeous night skies. Sites are generally well-shaded but positioned quite close together with minimal privacy. The grounds are exceptionally clean and well-maintained, though the gravel roads can get dusty during dry periods. Modern, clean bathroom and shower facilities are a highlight, with private, lockable shower stalls. The campground connects via walking trails to the historic village and shoreline.

What historical attractions can I see at Fayette Historic State Park?

Fayette Historic State Park features a beautifully restored 19th-century iron smelting town that operated from 1867 to 1891. The historic village includes numerous buildings to explore through self-guided walking tours and a visitor center providing historical context. What makes this site special is the ability to visit the townsite after dark if you're camping nearby – perfect for photography enthusiasts looking to capture unique night images. The ghost town includes many building foundations and interpretive displays explaining the town's industrial past. Walking trails connect the campground directly to the historic site, making it easy to explore this fascinating piece of Michigan's history.

What are the best spots to camp at Fayette Historic State Park Campground?

Sites near the beach offer beautiful views and easy water access. Site 53 at the top of the horseshoe provides trail access to Lake Michigan. For more seclusion, try sites along the outer edges of the campground. The 11 pull-through sites with 20/30/50 amp service are ideal for larger RVs, while back-in sites with 20/30 amp hookups work well for smaller setups. Sites are generally level but spacing is tight throughout the campground, offering limited privacy between neighbors.

How do I find the Fayette Historic State Park Campground in Michigan?

Fayette Historic State Park Campground is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, slightly off the main road but well worth the detour. The park is situated on the Garden Peninsula along Lake Michigan's shoreline. The campground sits adjacent to the historic townsite of Fayette. While somewhat isolated, this quiet location offers a peaceful retreat. Cell phone service can be spotty in the area, so download directions in advance. Look for signs directing you to the historic state park once you're in the Garden Peninsula region.