Best Dispersed Camping near Calumet, MI

Dispersed camping in the Upper Peninsula region near Calumet, Michigan includes several free and primitive sites along Lake Superior and inland lakes. Lake Perrault offers multiple dispersed sites with established fire rings but no formal facilities. The Mouth of the Huron provides beach camping directly on Lake Superior, while Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay features more remote dispersed options at the northernmost tip of the peninsula. A Michigan Recreation Passport or permit is required for most of these areas.

Access roads vary significantly between sites. Lake Perrault has particularly challenging access with numerous potholes requiring slow driving, though standard vehicles can reach the area with caution. High Rock Bay demands high-clearance vehicles, with campers noting "you have to drive like 30 minutes down an old logging road" with rough conditions that make it unsuitable for passenger cars. The Mouth of the Huron features more accessible gravel roads that "no clearance issues or 4wd needed." None of these areas provide drinking water, electric hookups, or dump stations. Most sites permit campfires when no seasonal restrictions are in place.

These rustic areas attract visitors seeking direct lake access and natural settings without developed facilities. The Mouth of the Huron offers direct Lake Superior beach camping where, according to one camper, "the only thing you hear out here are the waves." Lake Perrault provides a quieter inland lake experience, though some visitors note it can get busy with locals. One visitor described it as having "some sites with fire pits that are cleared and open for camping, maybe about 6 spots or so." High Rock Bay rewards those willing to navigate difficult roads with spectacular views. A visitor noted that "camping on Lake Superior's shore is a must, and this is the place to do it." Cell service is limited or non-existent at most sites, particularly at more remote locations like High Rock Bay.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Calumet, Michigan (6)

    1. Lake Perrault

    7 Reviews
    Toivola, MI
    20 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."

    "Very nice n open for pulling in and doing dispersed camping, nice overview of the lake from the hill , quite too, fire pit made of rocks"

    2. Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    Skanee, MI
    30 miles

    "You camp on the sand first come first serve, loved it no facilities pure dispersed."

    "Easy gravel road access ,no clearance issues or 4wd needed."

    4. Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay

    4 Reviews
    Copper Harbor, MI
    37 miles

    "That being said, risking my lifted 4WD SUV was well worth it. I may have forgotten to get a permit. Oops. There’s a large turnaround at the end of the road with spectacular views."

    "The drive was pretty rough. My F150 with a truck camper made for a long, slow drive. If the pot holes were filled with water, my feet would have gotten wet😬."

    5. High Rock Bay

    1 Review
    Copper Harbor, MI
    37 miles

    "Just make sure your vehicle is off-road capable."

    6. High Rock Bay

    1 Review
    Copper Harbor, MI
    37 miles
Show More
Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Calumet, MI

21 Reviews of 6 Calumet Campgrounds


  • Zachary J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 19, 2022

    Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping

    On Lake Superior need I say more

    You camp on the sand first come first serve, loved it no facilities pure dispersed.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping

    Awkward parking on shifting sands.

    That's a beautiful place to park for free. The fresh water Lake Superior provides water for those who have the means to filter it. There's no grey dump and no trash. However, the fact that it's parking right on a beach makes it very difficult for larger vehicles, such as my 16,000-pound bus. I did manage to park it, though. In the dark.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 10, 2024

    Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay

    Absolutely Amazin

    DO NOT BRING A STANDARD CAR DOWN HERE! Road was incredibly rough and no cell service. That being said, risking my lifted 4WD SUV was well worth it. I may have forgotten to get a permit. Oops. There’s a large turnaround at the end of the road with spectacular views. I turned left at the outhouse and found a similar spot. Flies and mosquitos were abundant but didn’t kill my vibe. Make sure to check the weather before you go. If it had rained overnight, I probably wouldn’t have been able to make it out.

  • Shawnee ..
    Feb. 5, 2022

    Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping

    Rustic beauty!

    One of my absolute favorite places to camp on Lake Superior. Rustic and beautiful. Carry in, carry out. Respect the land and space for those who have been enjoying this land for years and wish to for many more. Visit to see for yourself!

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 14, 2023

    Lake Perrault

    Free dispersed

    Nice small lake, easy access from the main road. Road to the lake isn’t paved and there are huge potholes so go slow. A couple of the campers looked like they’re long-termers, but there was still plenty of room. It’s a dispersed area with some sites with fire pits that are cleared and open for camping, maybe about 6 spots or so. A couple of the spots are right down at the water. 

    There’s also a little trail by the water but the mosquitoes were too bad for me to try and hike it. Though this is definitely a local hangout, with trucks coming in and out almost all day and late into the night, everyone was respectful and quiet, and it was really nice and peaceful overnight. 

    There was a little road noise but not bad at all. Some interesting animal calls overnight as well. There was good cell reception for Verizon and ATT.

  • Pat F.
    Jun. 24, 2024

    Lake Perrault

    Great little overlook of the lake

    Very nice n open for pulling in and doing dispersed camping, nice overview of the lake from the hill , quite too, fire pit made of rocks

  • Rose G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Lake Perrault

    Wouldn’t recommend

    If arriving off-season and lucky enough to have it to yourself it would be a great location, but there is zero privacy otherwise. There were 3 different people/groups set-up, all of which looked to have been there for several weeks. The area in front of the lake is completely cleared and fairly large - if you don’t mind being out in the open and potentially siding directly with others you’ll probably be fine. I saw an additional 3 other vehicles drive in and proceed to exit, so it’s unlikely you’d find solitude here. You’re better off opting for a FR in Ottawa NF.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Lake Perrault

    Beautiful and quiet lake front

    My fiancé and I (plus our dog) are doing a week of traveling out of our sprinter van through the UP. We stumbled upon this location through this app. This was a Monday evening and every site was being used or people just had stuff at the sites (not sure if anyone was actually staying at the spots) We were having an enjoyable time but then didn’t have a good interaction with one of the other campers. It was a problem to play fetch with our dog not being on a leash. Our dog was staying in our camp and playing fetch away from others. So we decided to pack up camp due to the interaction. Didn’t feel like any good was going to happen the rest of the night after that.


Guide to Calumet

Dispersed camping near Calumet, Michigan offers rustic outdoor experiences in the Keweenaw Peninsula with numerous sites situated along inland waterways and Lake Superior shorelines. The region features forested camping areas with minimal facilities and seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs typically reaching 75°F and winter temperatures dropping well below freezing. Michigan Recreation Passport requirements apply to most areas, with the annual pass costing $12 for Michigan residents or $34 for non-residents.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Lake Perrault provides a serene inland lake experience for anglers. One visitor noted, "I spent an overnight in this beautiful place. I was all alone in the campground. A few people drove down to the water while I was there." The lake offers peaceful surroundings for fishing enthusiasts.

Beach activities: Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping provides direct Lake Superior beach access. "Got to see a beautiful sunset and sunrise fun to watch bikers cross from the river and even saw a sea plane land on the beach," shared one camper. Swimming, beachcombing, and sunbathing are popular activities.

Yooperlite hunting: Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay is known for Yooperlite rock collecting, especially after dark with UV lights. As one visitor mentioned, "Nearby attractions include Yooperlite Rock Collecting, Kayaking, Fishing, Hiking." These fluorescent sodalite-rich syenite rocks are unique to the Upper Peninsula.

What campers like

Spectacular lakefront views: High Rock Bay offers exceptional Lake Superior vistas. A visitor shared, "The sites here were pretty clean with really nice views. It was a little crowded when we were there but we had no issues finding a spot." Campers particularly appreciate watching sunrises and sunsets over Lake Superior.

Solitude and peaceful atmosphere: Primitive camping near Calumet, Michigan often provides quiet settings. One visitor to Lake Perrault described, "Very nice n open for pulling in and doing dispersed camping, nice overview of the lake from the hill, quite too, fire pit made of rocks." Many sites allow campers to escape crowds despite occasional local traffic.

Wildlife viewing: The natural settings around Lake Perrault offer wildlife encounters. A camper noted, "Some interesting animal calls overnight as well. There was good cell reception for Verizon and ATT." Deer, small mammals, and various bird species are common sightings in the area.

What you should know

Road conditions vary significantly: Access to primitive camping spots requires careful driving. One visitor to Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay warned, "DO NOT BRING A STANDARD CAR DOWN HERE! Road was incredibly rough and no cell service." Most sites require at least SUVs or trucks to navigate safely.

Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping areas provide minimal or no amenities. A camper at High Rock Bay MI reported, "Nice sites for rustic style camping. As long as you don't mind hearing ORV noise every now and then, I would highly recommend this spot." Vault toilets are available at some locations, but most require completely self-sufficient camping.

Weather preparedness essential: Lake Superior weather can change rapidly. A visitor to Mouth of the Huron noted, "Awesome spot right on the waters of Lake Superior. Absolutely gorgeous sunsets and sunrises." However, the area experiences sudden temperature drops, strong winds, and quick-forming storms, particularly in spring and fall.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection considerations: Family-friendly spots are available but require planning. At Lake Perrault, one camper observed, "It's a dispersed area with some sites with fire pits that are cleared and open for camping." Select sites away from steep drop-offs and with adequate space for play areas.

Local interaction awareness: Some areas attract regular local visitors. A visitor to Lake Perrault shared, "My fiancé and I (plus our dog) are doing a week of traveling out of our sprinter van through the UP. We stumbled upon this location through this app. This was a Monday evening and every site was being used or people just had stuff at the sites." Weekdays often provide quieter experiences for families.

Activities for children: Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping offers family-friendly beach experiences. One visitor mentioned, "Great spot to camp at. I went on a weekend and there were lots of people and kids." The sandy beach areas provide natural play spaces for children with shallow water access in protected areas.

Tips from RVers

Parking challenges: Beach camping with larger vehicles requires careful planning. At Mouth of the Huron, one RVer cautioned, "That's a beautiful place to park for free. The fresh water Lake Superior provides water for those who have the means to filter it. There's no grey dump and no trash. However, the fact that it's parking right on a beach makes it very difficult for larger vehicles, such as my 16,000-pound bus."

Size restrictions: Most primitive camping sites near Calumet have limited space for larger rigs. One camper at Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay noted, "The drive was pretty rough. My F150 with a truck camper made for a long, slow drive." Smaller trailers and vans navigate better than full-size RVs on most access roads.

Self-contained requirements: No hookups or dump stations exist at dispersed sites. Campers must bring sufficient water and manage waste properly. One visitor stated, "You camp on the sand first come first serve, loved it no facilities pure dispersed." Ensure tanks are empty before arrival and filled with adequate fresh water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Calumet, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Calumet, MI is Lake Perrault with a 4-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Calumet, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Calumet, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.