Best Tent Camping near Baraga, MI

State parks and national forests surrounding Baraga, Michigan provide numerous options for tent camping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Big Lake State Forest Campground, located 25 miles southwest of Baraga near Watton, offers spacious tent campsites along a scenic lakeshore. Craig Lake State Park, often called Michigan's most remote state park, provides walk-in tent sites accessible only by hiking trails or water routes. The Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness area, part of Ottawa National Forest, features primitive tent camping opportunities with dramatic gorge views and waterfall access.

Many tent-only sites in the region have minimal improvements, with surfaces ranging from forest duff to gravel pads. Access roads to primitive tent campgrounds often require high-clearance vehicles, particularly at Big Lake where flooded potholes can challenge low-clearance cars. Most state forest campgrounds provide vault toilets and hand-pumped water, while backcountry tent sites in wilderness areas have no facilities. Weather conditions change rapidly in the Upper Peninsula, with campers reporting snowfall as early as mid-October. Insect protection is essential for comfortable tent camping, particularly in June and July when biting flies and mosquitoes are abundant.

Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for hiking the North Country Trail, which winds through much of the region. According to reviews, Big Lake State Forest Campground offers "huge sites" in a "quiet setting right on the lake" with clean facilities. At Craig Lake State Park, one visitor noted that the walk-in tent sites provide exceptional solitude, reporting "I was there for two nights and no one camped at the sites near me." Lake Perrault offers dispersed tent camping with approximately six sites, some positioned directly at the water's edge. Schoolcraft Township Rustic Campground provides beachfront tent camping with five large sites on Lake Superior, though permits must be obtained in advance from Lake Linden, about 10 miles west of the grounds.

Best Tent Sites Near Baraga, Michigan (17)

    1. Big Lake State Forest Campground

    4 Reviews
    Covington, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 353-6651

    "Way off the beaten path but the sites are HUGE! Quiet setting right on Big Lake. Probably my most beautiful site in the UP so far. Vault toilets and no shower. Very clean. Boat launch."

    "The Michigan State Forest Campgrounds continue to delight us. For $15 a night you can experience camping like I did as a child – simple, unelectrified, and in beautiful outdoor locations."

    2. Ojibwa RV Park

    1 Review
    Baraga, MI
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 353-6333

    "Campground close to casino and lake Baraga. This is the best campground in the area."

    3. Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness

    3 Reviews
    Watton, MI
    15 miles

    "Hike in camping"

    "The hike in was one of the most beautiful switch back type hikes, with breathtaking views of the gorge on the way down, a quick hike to the top of gorge once you’re down, then look down and see the waterfalls"

    4. Craig Lake State Park Campground

    4 Reviews
    Michigamme, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 339-4461

    "The hike-in/paddle in camping spots are equipped with a picnic table and a firepit, everything else is up to you.  I have been going here yearly for the last 10ys and absolutely love it! "

    "Access is from 41 turn on the gravel road outside Michigamme coming from the East."

    5. Emily Lake State Forest Campground

    2 Reviews
    Nisula, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 353-6651

    "Several great sites to tent camp. Caught some blue gills. Good times"

    "You will be able to hear your neighbors."

    6. Lake Perrault

    4 Reviews
    Toivola, MI
    21 miles

    "Nice small lake, easy access from the main road. Road to the lake isn’t paved and there are huge potholes so go slow."

    "But slow driving is the cure for that. 

    There are a few spots suitable for a small travel trailer, but most of them are better suited to tents."

    7. Schoolcraft Township Rustic Campground

    1 Review
    Hubbell, MI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 296-8721

    "Located on the southern side of the Keweenaw Peninsula just south of the Schoolcraft Township Park on Big Traverse Bay, this rustic campground has 5 huge sites right on Lake Superior."

    8. Forestville Campground

    10 Reviews
    Marquette, MI
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 235-6861

    $25 / night

    "Close to Marquette but feels secluded At the head of some great mountain biking trails and backcountry rock climbing or bouldering. Also just great hiking, our site backed up to the NCT."

    "Only a one lane path with tight turns. The largest vehicle I saw during my few days here was a pickup truck with a bed-mounted camping unit."

    9. Harts trail camp LLC

    Be the first to review!
    Hubbell, MI
    28 miles
    +1 (906) 369-0899

    10. Burned Dam Campground

    2 Reviews
    Watersmeet, MI
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 358-4724

    "We did look around and it’s a decent place.

    A couple sites are large enough for a small camper and screen room. Others will only fit a tent. There is a vault toilet but no water or garbage."

    "Beautiful, quiet, free campgrounds right next to the Ontonagon River and Mex-i-mine Falls (you can hear the rushing water)."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Baraga, MI

316 Reviews of 17 Baraga Campgrounds



Guide to Baraga

Tent camping near Baraga, Michigan offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature, with a variety of well-reviewed spots that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking tranquility and adventure.

Local Attractions and Scenic Views

Tent Camping Prices

Nearby Activities for Tent Campers

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Baraga, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Baraga, MI is Big Lake State Forest Campground with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Baraga, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.