Best Tent Camping near Alpena, MI

Are you planning a tent camping trip to Alpena? We've got you covered. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Alpena, MI (16)

Showing results 1-10 of 16 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews in Alpena

247 Reviews of 16 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!!

  • 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.

  • Brad J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center
    Oct. 12, 2023

    Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center

    Not Free! Beautiful and quiet.

    Gorgeous sites with lots of privacy. Basic pit outhouses no other services.

    Only complaint is that contrary to Dyrts listing, it's not actually free.



Guide to Alpena

Tent camping near Alpena, Michigan offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.

Affordable Tent Camping Options

  • Prices for tent camping typically range from $20 to $30 per night, making it an economical choice for families and solo adventurers alike.
  • At Negwegon State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy primitive sites with beach access, perfect for a summer getaway.
  • The Thunder Bay River State Forest Campground offers a peaceful setting with canoe livery access, ideal for those looking to explore the river.

Local Attractions to Explore

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails leading to Reid Lake Foot Travel Area, which features easy access to various backpacking shelters.
  • Fishing and kayaking opportunities abound at Pine River Campground, where visitors can enjoy the tranquility of the river.
  • For those seeking solitude, Hoist/Reid Lake Areas offers a backcountry experience with multiple camping spots along the trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Alpena, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Alpena, MI is Negwegon State Park Campground with a 5-star rating from 8 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Alpena, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Alpena, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.