Hog Island Point State Forest Campground, near Naubinway, Michigan, is a rustic spot that offers a true escape into nature right by the shores of Lake Michigan. With a mix of waterfront and wooded sites, it’s perfect for those who want to soak in the beauty of the lake while enjoying a bit of privacy.

This campground is all about simplicity, featuring vault toilets and hand pumps for drinking water, but no showers or electric hookups. Campers rave about the cleanliness of the facilities, with one visitor noting, “The vault toilets were the cleanest I've ever seen anywhere!” The sites are first-come, first-served, so arriving early can snag you a prime spot right by the water.

For outdoor lovers, the sandy beach area is a highlight, providing a great place for swimming and relaxing. Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, with the sound of waves lapping at the shore, although some noted that sites closer to the road can pick up a bit of traffic noise. As one reviewer put it, “It was very pleasant to sleep to the sound of the waves.”

If you’re into stargazing, the lack of light pollution here makes for stunning views of the night sky, especially during meteor showers. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking a small RV, Hog Island Point is a solid choice for a laid-back camping experience surrounded by nature.

This rustic campground is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. Most campsites have direct access to the shoreline. Part of the shoreline is composed of large rocks, but could be hiked with caution. Near the picnic area, on the east side of the campground, there is access to the day-use beach. The beach is sandy and provides a nice area to swim and walk along the shore. There is parking for day-use visitors adjacent to the picnic area. The picnic area has tables, a fire ring and a charcoal grill.

There are 42 sites for tent and small trailer use. Campsites 7 and 32 are pull-through sites. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 7.7 miles east of Naubinway via US-2.Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations.

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. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp

Hog Island Point State Forest Campground

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Naubinway, MI has a lot to offer. Naubinway is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Naubinway, MI. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Naubinway

The Best Camping Near Naubinway, Michigan

When camping in the UP this is usually where we stay the first night. It's a nice rustic campground with outhouses and water hand pumps. We always swing into Wildwood Pasties for breakfast before heading out to our destination - yum!

Always our first stop on Highway 2.

This campground offers awesome views of Lake Michigan from the U.P. I camped here on a night where I could hear storms rolling over the lake which was pretty neat to fall asleep to. 

Great campground in the U.P.

the spots on Lake Michigan are the best, if you are in the wooded sites it can be buggy, can have secluded spots with paths right out to the lake

Lake Michigan gem

This is my son and mines new favorite getaway...quite, clean and peaceful!


We loved it...our new Best!

This was a great campground! We got a spot right on Lake Michigan and the view is what makes the campground. When we first got there we were swarmed with bugs but the wind picked up soon after and it was nice. Our site was not super even but I thought had the best view. We could hear the waves through the camper. We got there opening day (due to Covid) and had our pick of all the sites, we had about 6 campers join us throughout our 3 day stay but it was very private. Right off HW2 so even had some cell service. Did have some road noise every once in a while but the waves mostly drowned it out. It also only 35 minutes from St.Ignace/Bridge. I camped with my two kids (5 and 3) in a 13 foot Scamp. We had a blast and will definitely be back! 

Can not beat the view! 

Small state campground right on Lake Michigan. Rustic sites with pit toilets and water. 

Rustic sites on the lake

This is a first come/ self check in campground. We were able to snag a site right on the lake by arriving in the morning as several campers were leaving.  Most sites have a little swamp before reaching the lake but a few have good enough access for kayaks.  There is a small beach and yards and yards of lakeshore to hike up if the beach is crowded.  Its primitive sites with fire rings and picnic tables.  Most sites had a screen of trees for some privacy.  It was very pleasant to sleep to the sound of the waves, though you could hear traffic noise with sites not on the lake.  Pays to get there early if you can. 

Lovely lakeside sites

Rustic campground with 46 sites for tents or RVs up to 40ft. Vault toilets, two well hand pumps with potable water. Waterfront and non-water front sites available on a first come, first serve basis. No reservations. Beach area and water access. Open year round. Pet friendly.

Rustic Campground with Lake Michigan access.

This campground is amazing! It is primitive with vault toilets and well water - no showers but you are right on the shores of Lake Michigan ;) I took a bath ten feet from our campsite during sunset overlooking the lake and it was one of the most serine experiences in my life thus far.  There’s a good mixture of shoreline/water access sites (which are the best, and some also have shade and trees), and more wooded sites (you can hear the highway traffic from those). If you are looking for a combo of trees, shade, and waterfront access sites 10-16 are your best bet and then also a few others closer to the “picnic” area and private beach access. An amazing spot to catch sunrise and sunset, and an incredible overall nature spot! We were so thrilled we found this hidden gem and glad we got there in time to snag a very private waterfront site (#16). Can’t wait to return! 

Amazing, amazing find! 

This is a primitive state forest campground right on the shore of Lake Michigan that is larger than most in Michigan. The sites vary in size and shape, but many could accommodate everything from a tent to a small trailer, Class B or truck camper.

It's first-come, first-served so you may end up with an inner site that isn't on the water. But even with 50 sites, it's not a long walk to get to a lake access point.

Keep in mind that when it rains, this place tends to get quite muddy and the sites are mostly grass and dirt. Some sites were a bit unlevel but most seemed pretty good. 

There is some road noise if you're in a site closer to the front. But if you're near the lake you won't hear the cars and trucks.

Cell service was low on a Verizon phone (1 bar LTE) but a bit better with our Verizon MiFi (2 bars LTE). Google Fi phone had spotty LTE service that came and went depending on location in the campsite. 



Primitive sites on Lake Michigan

Second time camping here. Last time was Labor Day weekend 2020. Approx 50 sites. With just shy of 1/2 waterfront. We had a water front site. Came in mid day on the 1 st. Stayed for the weekend. No electric. No shower house. Vault toilets available. Spring water available. Perfect for tents, truck campers, and smaller campers. 1 pull through site. A few sites are available for slightly larger units. Sandy beach and picnic area. One of our favorite boondocks camp sites. 

Camping with a view

Several lake-front sites. Picnic tables and fire pits. No cell service, but who needs it with these views. At least one pull-thru site. 

Nice campground about 45 minutes from Mackinac City 

This was a beautiful place with many campsites on the water. The vault toilets were the cleanest I've ever seen anywhere! 
I would definitely stay here again.

Must see! 

variety of site sizes, many with lake access. two areas to access a sandier part of the lake (site access is generally rocky). access to spring water and clean vault toilets. lake and lack of light pollution make for good sky watching-- decent views of milky way on a clear night and excellent for summer meteor showers. no trails in the campground but the two loops of the road are nice for walking and the lake access is unbeatable.

quiet sites on lake michigan

The campsites are set up pretty well. 80% have good privacy. The only real complaint is how close to the main road you are. No real quiet even at night. Proximity to the lake is a huge plus though!

Beautiful but close to the road

This was my first time camping at a primitive campground. It was clean. The sites were spaced out perfectly. Our site was just steps from Lake Michigan. Others were tucked in the woods. The out house was clean and we’ll stocked. There was a pump for water but no electricity. And just a short walk away was a beautiful beach for swimming. I will stay again.

Photos of Hog Island Point State Forest Campground

Real photos from real campers