Sandwiched between Lake Fanny Hooe and Lake Superior at the tip of Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, Fort Wilkins Historic State Park Campground occupies a narrow strip of forested land where water is visible in nearly every direction. The campground sits within the grounds of a 19th-century military outpost, and the restored fort buildings are walkable from most sites. Copper Harbor itself is about 1.5 miles down the road, a small town where a country store handles basic resupply and a brewery anchors the waterfront.
The campground divides into east and west loops, and the difference matters. The east loop runs more open, with less tree cover between sites and a tendency toward larger family groups and more foot traffic. The west loop has more trees, better site separation, and tends to run quieter, though it still fills on summer weekends and holidays. Laura M. put it plainly: sites in the east are "open, no division between them," while the west side offers "way more division between them." Cell service is essentially nonexistent throughout the area. Free WiFi broadcasts from the bathhouses and weakly reaches nearby sites.
Facilities are solid for a state park: hot showers, flush toilets, a dump station near the west entrance, water spigots throughout, and on-site laundry. Sites include 30 and 50-amp electric hookups, with water and sewer also available. The fort itself is free to explore and runs self-guided tours, with student reenactors on site during summer months. Lake Fanny Hooe is calm and well-suited to kayaking and fishing. As Nancy W. notes, "definitely bring a fishing pole and watercraft if you have them."
Reservations are strongly recommended for summer and holiday weekends. RVs up to 40 feet are accommodated, with pull-through sites available, though some spots run unlevel enough to require blocks. Temperatures at this latitude run noticeably cooler than southern Michigan, with daytime highs in the 50s and 60s even in August, making it a reasonable destination during heat events further south. The campground is open year-round. Copper Harbor also serves as a departure point for ferry service to Isle Royale National Park, which draws many visitors to use the park as a base for multi-day planning. Campers looking for other nearby options can check places to camp around Copper Harbor, or consider Fanny Hooe Resort & Campground just to the west as an alternative.
Description
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, located in the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, features a modern campground, trails, a historical fort with a living history program, two 1860s lighthouses on Lake Superior and much more.
Visitors will enjoy a quarter-mile of rocky Lake Superior shoreline, Lake Fanny Hooe and a quarter-mile of sandy beach on Lake Manganese.
The park features a restored 1844 army military outpost, including 19 buildings, with a living history program provided by the Michigan History Center. Visitors can experience a look back at life on the northern frontier during the mid-1800s and a time when soldiers were stationed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. 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
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Check in your campsite reservation and occupy your campsite no later than 3 p.m. one day after your scheduled arrival date to avoid being automatically cancelled. If you need to arrive later, you must adjust your arrival date by calling 1-800-44(PARKS) or by going on-line to www.midnrreservations.com . If you don't check in or update your arrival date, our system will automatically cancel your reservation and youll incur the loss of two nights' fees, the non-refundable reservation fee, $10 cancellation fee and the reduced-stay fee. Staff are unable to override this process.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsFort Wilkins Historic State Park Campground is located in Michigan near Copper Harbor
Directions
Located on US Hwy 41 approximately 1 mile east of Copper Harbor; Located 35 miles north of Calumet and 49 miles north of Houghton.
Address
15223 U.S. Highway 41
Copper Harbor, MI 49918
Coordinates
47.46699224 N
87.87184675 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/22/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo CoverageVerified by 3 usersLast on 8/22/26
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 4 hrs 13 min from Wausau, WI
- 4 hrs 36 min from Green Bay, WI
- 4 hrs 51 min from Duluth, MN
- 9 hrs 28 min from Traverse City, MI

















































