Best Camping near Alpena, MI

Alpena, MI is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Alpena, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Discover great camping spots near Alpena, reviewed by campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Alpena, MI (71)

Showing results 1-10 of 71 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Alpena

Recent Reviews in Alpena

260 Reviews of 71 Alpena Campgrounds


  • Chad Y.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoeft State Park Campground
    Nov. 2, 2024

    Hoeft State Park Campground

    Great park with subpar site.

    Visit Hoeft every year for group camping weekend. Perfect weather, nice spacing of sites, great access to the beach. Site 33 is not a favorite. Quite small, backed up to poison ivy and quite close to a neighbor site.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jewell Lake Campground
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Jewell Lake Campground

    Great place

    Only stayed one night but it was a very nice stay. Private but not secluded. Encountered a bear in the night but it retreated back into the woods. Did have my dog with me. I would definitely go back.

  • Nicole V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Emerick Park Campground
    Sep. 23, 2024

    Emerick Park Campground

    Quaint and Close to town

    Small campground with boat launch, shower house, and bathrooms. Connect’s to a park with playground and pickleball court. Easy to walk or ride your bicycle into town for ice cream. No swim beach but good fishing opportunities on the thunder river.

  • Wailym C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Alpena County Fairground
    Sep. 7, 2024

    Alpena County Fairground

    Better than expected

    Alpena Fairground camp sites are conveniently located right off Route 23 within minutes of local attractions and historic sites.  The RV / trailer sites were spacious enough with water views of the Alpena wildlife sanctuary and Thunder Bay River. The sunset views are lovely. We launched our kayaks right from our site and paddled around the sanctuary.  Be aware, you cannot access Thunder Bay and Lake Huron from here.  Access is blocked off at 9th street dam.  If you want to head into Thunder Bay it’s best to just drive down and launch in at marina.  And if you head down River you will have to paddle upstream to get back, not fun in high winds. Camping is quiet, only a few other campers there.  Be mindful the fairgrounds hosts events during the year.  The circus stopped to perform during our three days there but we didn’t hear a sound or notice anyone around.  The restrooms and showers were clean enough, located near fairground entrance.  Holly the caretaker was courteous to answer my questions over the phone before arrival and during check in. Her home office is located near entrance, it’s a small rancher house.  Water and dump available as well near entrance.  Overall a nice quiet stay.  The should invest in new fire rings.

  • Ralph E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Alcona Park
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Alcona Park

    very nice campground

    nice campground with plenty of woods and water. rustic sites could be a little more leveled off but not awfully bad. they have full, semi and rustic sites. camped here 4 times and enjoyed my time. PRO'S- great fishing, playgrounds for kids, great for riding bikes, sites are clean and many have good space for larger campers, staff is friendly and reliable. CONS- showers need more pressure, roads can get extremely dusty when it's dry, "beach" is small and rocky and on a slop which is difficult to walk on due to too many rocks in what little sand there is however the whole lakeshore is rocks so wear water shoes, while it didn't bother me, it can get a little loud at nite, after 10pm "quite time" but nothing really serious, some rustic sites could use some dirt to level them up but manageable, rustic sites, IMO, are a little expensive at $20 a night but I've camped at others that were $40! summing my review up, I enjoyed every time I camped here! caught lots of fish from walleye to crappie, even a 6.3lb small mouth bass!! very nice campground that I will continue to camp at and recommend!!

  • Kathryn T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Canada Creek Ranch Club House
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Canada Creek Ranch Club House

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  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hoeft State Park Campground
    Aug. 5, 2024

    Hoeft State Park Campground

    Great overnight on Lake Huron

    I enjoyed this campsite. Maybe it was because of it being a Sunday night, but it didn’t feel very crowded and was fairly quiet. It’s close to the water (just a short walk over the dunes so you can’t actually see the lake from your site.) I had electric and the bathrooms had showers, though they definitely could use an update. The only thing that could have made this place better was if they allowed dogs on the beach! I was traveling alone and would have loved to have walked the beach with my pup.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground
    Jul. 30, 2024

    Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground

    Rustic

    Amazing rustic campground. First come first serve sites, a well with pump for water and clean vault toilets. Walk along the Ocqueoc River to the falls, walk the path through the campground or park at the site and take a short trip to the falls. Large and small sites, friendly staff.

  • Nicole V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
    Jun. 29, 2024

    Jackson Lake State Forest Campground

    Quiet private camping on a small but charming lake

    Large wooded sites- many with lake access. Clean and stocked outhouses. Small lake but opportunities for fishing and swimming. Some road noise is noticeable.

  • Nicole V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground
    May. 27, 2024

    Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

    Big lake but no direct water sites

    Peaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway. Clean bathrooms and large mostly private sites. You can launch your boat and beach it near the campground and your campsite but no direct access that we saw.

  • Nicole V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground
    May. 27, 2024

    Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground

    Slice of paradise!

    This hidden gem has large private sites..many with direct lake access. There is a beach/swim area as well as a small trail from the beach to the boat launch. Good fishing and clean outhouses too!

  • Emily G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Jewell Lake NF Campground
    May. 23, 2024

    Jewell Lake NF Campground

    Jewell Lake

    I think jewel lake is pretty good because they have good campsites. I like the dog, they have an island, you can go on can't sleep on there, but you can go on it. They have a beach, they have a bridge, so you can fish on good water to go swimming, you can drive a boat, you can go on a kayaking on a jet ski, any type of water boats the camp site it's pet friendly perfect for campers or pull behinds tense, they're ok, for motorhome\ RV's but it's pretty good.

  • Lydia T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground
    May. 13, 2024

    Big Bear Lake State Forest Campground

    State forest campground on Bear Lake

    A rustic campground right on Bear Lake. Most sites are directly on the water. There is a 4 foot breakwall between the sites and the lake. You could anchor your boat in front of your campsite.

  • Lydia T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    May. 13, 2024

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    State Park on Clear Lake

    This is a nice state park and campgrou nd on clear lake near Atlanta, MI. About 45 minutes from Gaylord. The lake was absolutely beautiful and super blue and clear. The beach at the state park was nice but not really a natural beach but the lake itself is naturally sandy.

  • Lydia T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pigeon River State Forest Campground
    May. 9, 2024

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    I love staying at this rustic campground.

    You can pick sites on the river or back by the woods. There are vault toilets and a well for water. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table. I've seen people tenting and I've seem people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Town Corner Lake State Forest Campground
    Dec. 29, 2023

    Town Corner Lake State Forest Campground

    Isolated and beautiful little campground

    Stayed here in late September 2023 for 2 nights. The campsites are well spaced from each other and most have lake access. we had 2 tents and plenty of room. Vault toilets were clean, well water was good. Saw an elk while driving around the area.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Colemans
    Oct. 25, 2023

    Colemans

    Colemans

    Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to have this listing on our platform. Check them out and come back here to leave them some love!

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Onaway State Park Campground
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Onaway State Park Campground

    Pretty Campground In Fall

    We stayed here at the end of October. The campground was pretty empty. There are camp sites along Black Lake, which is the 7th largest lake in Michigan. The lake side campsites are very close together but you are right by the water's edge. There is a playground area with swings, sand pit and jungle bars. There is also a boat launch and small beach.



Guide to Alpena

Camping near Alpena, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds, like Tawas Point State Park Campground, have stunning beaches. One camper mentioned, "Two swimming beaches. Dog beach. A few trails to walk on, not many to ride bikes."
  • Visit local attractions: Check out the nearby lighthouses and parks. A reviewer at Hoeft State Park Campground said, "It is close to Rogers City shops, a really cool lighthouse a few miles away, and Ocqueoc Falls is 15 - 20 minutes away."
  • Hiking and biking: Trails are abundant in the area. A camper at Harrisville State Park Campground noted, "Not a huge park, but complete with bike and walk/jog trails."

What campers like:

  • Privacy and space: Campers appreciate the spacious sites. One visitor at Ossineke State Forest Campground said, "Most are well spaced and offer lots of privacy."
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A reviewer at P.H. Hoeft State Park Campground mentioned, "The bathrooms had showers, though they definitely could use an update."
  • Natural beauty: Campers love the scenic views. A visitor at Au Sable River Primitive Camping shared, "The perfect morning and evening view of the river."

What you should know:

  • Crowded on weekends: Some campgrounds can get busy. A camper at Tawas Point State Park Campground noted, "It can get really packed here on weekends."
  • Limited amenities: Some sites are rustic with fewer facilities. A visitor at Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground mentioned, "There are two outhouses, and a well with good drinking water."
  • Reservations recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak season. A camper at Devoe Lake Rustic Campground said, "Sites require a reservation either at the office or online."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds available: Some campgrounds have playgrounds for kids. A reviewer at Onaway State Park Campground mentioned, "There is a playground area with swings, sand pit, and jungle bars."
  • Pet-friendly options: Many campgrounds allow pets, making it easier to bring the whole family. A camper at Aloha State Park Campground noted, "Pets allowed, picnic table, reservable."
  • Family-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with organized activities. A visitor at Cheboygan State Park Campground said, "If you're looking for a 'Northern Michigan' experience, this is a must."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have smaller sites that may not accommodate larger RVs. A reviewer at Tawas Point State Park Campground mentioned, "Can feel a little tight on some spaces."
  • Electric hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups, but not all have full hookups. A camper at Harrisville State Park Campground noted, "Does not have water nor sewer hookups at sites."
  • Plan for tight roads: Some campgrounds have narrow roads, which can be tricky for big rigs. A visitor at P.H. Hoeft State Park Campground said, "Big rigs, note that the roads can be tight."

Camping near Alpena, Michigan, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Alpena, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Alpena, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 71 campgrounds and RV parks near Alpena, MI and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Alpena, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alpena, MI is Ossineke State Forest Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alpena, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Alpena, MI.

  • What parks are near Alpena, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near Alpena, MI that allow camping, notably Sleeping Bear Dunes and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.