For those who want to get away from civilization for a weekend, but still want the comforts of home, consider renting a cabin for your Big Bay camping trip. Cabin camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. Each cabin offers quick access to one or more of Big Bay's most popular destinations.
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
$20 - $34 / night
$40 - $50 / night
The Country Village RV Park offers 105 R.V. sites and four cabins. Most sites will provide full service, while others will have basic or no utilities. Pull/thru sites are also available. The cabins contain sleeping accommodations for four (linens not provided), table & chairs and electricity. The park also includes a large Pavilion, swimming pool, wading pool, spa and children’s play area. The park is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, a movie theater and a bowling and billiard center.
$35 - $51 / night
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
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/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
$20 - $95 / night
$20 - $200 / night
Guide
Stayed a night in a deluxe cabin in the winter. Warm and small, perfect for a night. Great ski hill view — right next door for mountain access. Bonus: hot tub!
ScoutGreat campground with a variety of options to stay. Full hook up, luxury cabins, rustic cabins, electric sites, walk in tent sites. Location is perfect. Only wish would be that they add more bathrooms/shower rooms. Can be long waits in the morning/evenings.
ScoutStayed here for a weekend away and to visit family. Was pleasantly surprised on how friendly and helpful registration desk personnel were, and how well laid out the campground was. We stayed in a basic cabin - and were astounded at how clean they were and how good they smelled - like fresh cut wood! The bathrooms were the same, and the button lock entry to cabin, bathroom and shower room is an excellent touch. The view from the main office building is great, with a wonderful view of the river off of the back deck. The camp store has a nice selection of wine and the usual necessary items campers need. They also have a hot tub and pool, and altho we didn't get to use it on this trip we certainly will on the next visit!
RangerLarge sites overall. Very clean bathroom. Nice pool/hot tub and a small bar (wine/beer) at the front reception area, with public fire pit.
Scout
Awesome park. Playground which they are expanding. Large sites as it is a big rig park. Very clean bathrooms. They are adding a large game area and they have a swimming pool and hot tub.
ScoutFantastic. Large spots. Full hookups. Amazing hiking and mountain biking and easy access to all Marquette has to offer. Cool river access. Pool is good enough, nice hot tub, putt putt, excellent bar, camp store.
GuideOur dd was excited that she could see the McDonald’s golden arches from our site! The campground is clean & well maintained. It was easy for us to park our 35 ft trailer because the sites are large & level, but also because there weren’t any trees along the campground roads. Our kids loved that there is a pool, hot tub & bouncy pillow! This is our 2nd time staying & both were because of its convenience to ‘civilization’ not to get away from it. This time we took the opportunity to enjoy the afternoon shopping in Marquette before heading to the eastern UP the next day for a week’s stay there. It is located in town, near a Camping World & just behind some restaurants, shops, a brewpub & a hotel, but the other sides of the campground are surrounded by trees/forest because it is the UP. A great campground if you want to explore the area’s history or natural beauty, shop in Marquette or if you are checking out Northern Michigan University’s campus (about 20 minutes away). Most sites are full hookup, they also have rustic cabins & a dog play area. I’m sure we will stay here again, as it’s a short trip for us, the kids love the amenities & I’d like to explore the area for more than our usual day trips.
TravelerVery nice - we were in site 31. Plenty of space and we did not feel like we were too close to others. They had lots of hiking trails near and a bar and pizza place. Nice store, nice staff, pool/ hot tub, and right on the river. You are also able to take a nearby ski lift up the mountain for some great views!
RangerStayed here while visiting Marquette!
Honestly, the campground is not the best. Most sites too open.
We did enjoy the pool and hot tub... plus the walk up bar with pizza. They also have a deck and patio to hang out at. There is an area down by the creek with chairs.
A walking trails meanders by the creek.
The best part was the 3/4 mile ish trail that goes up to the Marquette Mountain. We walked up at night (bring flashlights!!!) and the view was breathtaking! We overlooked all of Marquette and the stars were incredible!!
night
TravelerLocated just off the highway but out of earshot of the major noise, this campground is awesome!
The sites are well maintained and we required no additional leveling. Sturdy and maintained picnic table at each site. Electric at our site -39- was error free. Water pressure is excellent. Wonderful shade trees.
The staff is amazing! After all they love German Shepherds…. Very professional, courteous and helpful.
Bathroom and showers are super clean. Plenty of hot water.
Laundry is available but we did not use.
Heated pool and hot tub are available and spotless.
A retired military service discount was offered as well!
6/04/21
GuideThis campground is only a few years old and therefore not a lot of shady RV spots. But it is very well equipped. Wifi is great, cell service strong, nice bathhouses with laundry, an amazing store with pizza and bar/alcohol, a pool and hot tub (not exactly warm), and easy in/out. Outdoor seating by a stream and fire. There are a few sites that don’t look super level but ours is perfect for our fifth wheel. Trash dumpsters at front of site and there’s even a dump clean out there. The only negative is the septic drain slightly higher than normal. You may need something rigid to allow proper fall. It’s a great campsite!
GuideRippling Rivers Resort is new addition to an area that lacked a decent campground.
Amenities include bathhouses and shows (which have code locks on them), shared water access, picnic tables, fire pits, campstore with bar, and access to an outdoor pool and hot tub.
We stayed at one of the walk-in tent sites and also had the pleasure of enjoying the Carp River. The river was about 10 fee away from our site.
The staff is extremely friendly, to both people and dogs. I was very impressed with how dog friendly this location is. Even the other campers were respectful of each other.
Our tent location was entirely shaded and made it feel as though we were camping in a forest.
The downsides. The tent sites were too small and not level. We had a very hard time finding a place to put our tent. The sites were also very close together. Our neighbors were backed right up to use.
As mentioned above, the shower/bathhouse requires a code to access it. It was kind of weird. And made it a challenge if you had to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
Parking was very limited. Not a problem if you have only one vehicle, but we had two. One of us had to park on the other side of the campground, which became an inconvenience.
LegendThis park is located about 15 minutes from the town of Marquette and is a great alternative if you can’t get a site in the Marquette Tourist Park (which is closer to town and very popular in the summer). It is located off US-41 which is a major Upper Peninsula thoroughfare but set back about ½ miles so you don’t get road noise but it is still convenient. The campground is located behind (and within walking distance of) a shopping area that has a meat market, grocery, gas station, movie theater, bowling alley, a few restaurants and a brewery (which has good, inexpensive beer and food). It is also located next to an RV dealer/service center/camp store which is convenient if you need anything. Nearby are some interesting museums including the National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the Michigan Iron Museum. You are only about 20 minutes from the town of Marquette which is worth a visit.
The park and facilities are well-maintained. The restrooms were super clean as was the pool and all the grounds. The people in the office were super nice in helping us pick a site and with information about the area. The park has over 105 RV sites with varying services and some being held by seasonal people. There are lots of amenities (which we did not use) including swimming pool, hot tub, playground, basketball courts, and more. The pool was super crowded and noisy so if you don’t want to hear kids screaming, stay away from sites close to the pool. The park does not take online reservations so you must call them directly.
We were assigned site #104 but could tell our motorhome was not going to get level in the site so we had to straddle the site and park partly in the adjacent grassy area. Luckily, the ground was dry to we didn’t make any deep ruts. Our site did have a nice shade tree on the patio which was welcomed because of the hot weather. The WiFi never worked at our site. We were able to get a clear view of the sky for our satellite television.
Scout
It’s a County Park in Big Bay on beautiful Lake Independence. They have full hook up sites to primitive sites.
You can walk/ride bikes to a convenience store, gas station, laundry, and restaurant. Golf driving range behind the convenience store, bucket of balls $5 and you don’t have to pick them up.
Marquette is a 30 minute drive.
Guide
This is my absolute favorite place to camp, hike, kayak, fish, and just get away from it all. If you want seclusion, you can find it here with many remote campsites that are only accessible through the water or overland by hiking the trails in the park.
The park has 2 rustic cabins and 2 yurts for rent that are a fantastic getaway and a great place to take your spouse.
The wildlife include loons, eagles, bears, moose, deer and others. The lake has fantastic fishing for smallmouth, northern pike, crappie, walleye, and the occasional musky.
I CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK!
Ranger
Along our travels in Michigan's Upper Peninsula from the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore west to the Porcupine Mountains, we stayed at Van Riper State Park campground. We found this campground located along U.S. Hwy 41 about 40 minutes west of Marquette MI. The Park sits on the west shores of Lake Michigamme. Van Riper State park has both a Modern and Rustic campgrounds along, with hiking, biking and ATV trails. There is a fine sandy beach, and playground. At the beach there is a concession stand. The park offers areas for boating, kayaking, and jet skiing, and fishing. To book or check into either campground you must stop at the park office. A Resident Recreational Passport is required or a charge of $11 will apply for each vehicle without one. The park office also has firewood, ice and even ice cream for sale. I recommend to get your firewood from another local area, the bundles are $5 but are very small bundles like 3 or 4 pieces. They also offer kayak rentals the price on those was decent. $10 for a 2 hour kayak rental.
We stayed in the Modern campground. There are 147 sites and 2 Mini Cabins. Sites are equipped for tents, trailers and RV’s up to 50’. There are free wifi by the restrooms, flush toilets, showers, drinking water, sanitation station, electric hookups at each site along with a fire pit and picnic table. The daily price of sites is $22 - $24 and $49 for a Mini Cabin. We stayed in site 92 that is located right next to the restroom/showers. Which was great having young children with us who seem to need to visit the restroom numerous times. This site is more for a trailer or a RV being the ground is hard and full of rocks. We all used air mattresses so that wasn’t much of an issue. We did take the time to remove any sharp rocks from where our tent was being placed to make sure no holes were made in the tent or mattresses. Sites are very open and non private. There is a host site that has information on activities around the park and neighboring areas. They also offer activities for children to do.
A short distance from the modern campground is the rustic campground. There are 40 sites and a Camper's Cabin available. This campground offers vault toilets, and drinking water. I did find out that for $2 per person for a day you can have access to the showers at the modern campground. The daily price of these sites is $13, and $86 for the Camper’s Cabin. These sites are equipped for tents, trailers and RV’s up to 30’. There is no electric hook ups.
During your visit to the park there are lot’s of scenic, historic, and recreational sites to visit. A few miles from the park is the location of where Iron ore was first found in the Lake Superior region. There is a Iron Industry Museum. Lake Michigamme offers lot’s of activities for those visiting. If you are really looking for a awesome adventure not too far from camp, you can drive an ½ hour west on Hwy 41 to the “Grand Canyon” of Michigan, this gorge and waterfalls are located along the Sturgeon River. There is access to the North Country Trail here as well. The Canyon Waterfall and Gorge are just breathtaking. It is a 10 minute hike along the river from the parking area to the Canyon falls and gorge. You can hike further in if you wish and discover the rapids area along the river. We did not venture this far having small children with us. Can’t wait to return on a adult trip to hike further along the river.
I give this Campground a 5 star review, it is a great place to take the family on vacation.
Legend
This campground was developed by people who love and use the outdoors, for people who love and use the outdoors! Inexpensive, clean, pretty and with campsites set spaciously apart this new campground feels like it’s been a part of the landscape for years. With nearby opportunities for mountain biking, downhill and cross-country skiing, road cycling, hiking and paddling on the big lake– or nearby smaller lakes, this campground is perfectly situated along the shores of Lake Superior to take full advantage of the best the “Copper Country” has to offer.
The sites have the usual fire ring and picnic table, with some overlooking the pond centerpiece of the property. The pit-toilets are clean, well ventilated, modern (automated hand sanitizer, it's the little things!) and also beautifully constructed. The campground also offers several adorable yurts and bunkhouse cabins for rent, which can sleep 6 comfortably and heated by woodstove fires. You know they have done it right by the bike hanging hooks perfectly placed on the side of the cabin. They know their clientele.
The quaint village of Copper Harbor,½ mile away, offers restaurants, bars, gas and a small grocery store as well as the ferry depot to Isle Royale National Park. With numerous historic sites within an hour’s drive, this makes the perfect getaway destination for history buffs as well. The Keweenaw National Historic Park has sites located up and down the peninsula. Right off Brockway Mountain Drive, the area is great for those interested in more motorized recreation as well. The view from the top, an easy 5 mile drive, is not to be missed.
GuideIt features a nice pool, however, not much privacy, cabins are pretty nice.
LegendThis will be an awesome campground once it's finished. Sweet cabins and yurts.
GuideThey were still building much of this campground when we visited. All the sites felt intimate and private. The bathrooms were rustic but clean and big. They were building really nice cabins as well. Would definitely return.
Traveler
Very nice private campground that offers rustic, electric, and cabins. We stayed in a 30 amp electric site. The 30 amp sites are a bit tight but backed up to the woods, so privacy wasn't an issue. Very friendly owners! Can't wait to go back
RangerThis campground is in town with the bike trails to one side and Marquette mountain ski hill. Wonderful fishing salmon and brook trout galore. It has a small put put golf, pool, camp store and large clean bathrooms and showers. WiFi! If you are in to biking amazing trails this stop is for you. The cabins are very clean and super nice.
GuideNew campground 15$ a nite building outhouses And cabins to come. Well marked most sites are set for tents, but several can put a RV in I backed a 33’ into number 70, will return 1/2 mile out of copper Harbor lot of room between sites some grassy some rocky. Quiet place cheap will return
RangerNice campground right on Lake Michigamme, variety of sites (tents, cabins, electric hook-ups), big clean beach, showers. AT&T was okay, ended up using it for internet over Starlink, which was spotty due to trees. Son had a good time skateboarding and using the playground. We've stayed twice now and likely will again. I did notice the AED was missing from the beach house/laundry area....otherwise it seems accessible.
GuideWe stumbled upon this little gem and camped there for 3 nights. We opted for the rustic campground which still allowed access to the bathroom and showers, but was secluded from the cabin and RV area. The lake access was great! Warm water and good fishing. The staff was fantastic and even offered us a cold beer. Although we wanted to disconnect, the WiFi access near the office was great for mapping directions or checking the weather.
LegendLots of wooded campsites for tents, camper vans & small rigs. Several sites are in clusters. Didn't see any pull through. No electric & water hookups. 3 his/hers vault toilets; clean. Potable water near campground entrance. Campground, cabins & trails are still under construction. Although close to Lake Superior, no direct access from campground to the lake. Can hear waves crashing. Highly recommend hiking the trails at nearby Hunter's Point Park. Firewood can be purchased from the general store in Copper Harbor. No T-Mobile nor AT&T cell service. Would stay here again
GuideThis place is self pay $15/night with lots of sites to choose from that accommodate tent or big trailers (not all sites are the same size). Some sites are more tucked away in the trees which makes you feel more secluded. The CG was never anywhere close to full when we were there. Lots of rustic cabins being built. Close to one entrance to the mountain bike trail system and about a mile bike ride into town on a gravel trail. We were in site 66 which got some road noise but otherwise was private.
Cabin camping near Big Bay, Michigan offers a serene escape into nature, with various options for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors while still having the comforts of home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Big Bay, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Big Bay, MI is Van Riper State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Big Bay, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 cabin camping locations near Big Bay, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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