Cabin accommodations near Chatham, Michigan range from rustic options to those with basic modern amenities throughout the Upper Peninsula. Most locations experience seasonal closures from late October through April due to harsh winter conditions, with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing. Several cabin properties face drainage challenges during spring melt and heavy summer storms, necessitating proper gear and awareness of local weather patterns.
What to do
Lake activities with rentals: At Superior Times, guests can enjoy water recreation on Au Train Lake. "The campground is on Au Train Lake and the campground offers jet skis, boats, and kayaks for rent," notes one camper. The lake provides opportunities for fishing and swimming from the property's small beach area.
Mountain biking access: Rippling Rivers RV Resort offers direct trail connectivity. "If you love mountain biking or hiking you stay here. Period. You are right on the trails," explains one reviewer. The property includes the child-friendly "grom trail" that runs adjacent to the upper campsites, making it ideal for families with young riders.
Rock collecting: Beachcombing for unique Lake Superior stones is possible at Uncle Ducky's Paddlers Village. "Lots of cool rock picking by the dock," reports one guest who enjoyed this low-cost activity between kayak excursions. Morning coffee on the shoreline provides prime sunrise viewing over Grand Island from the property.
Waterfall exploration: Cabins provide convenient bases for waterfall tours. "Great location to the Au Train falls and other waterfalls as well as Pictured Rocks," mentions a Superior Times visitor. Most waterfalls in the region remain accessible through October, though spring runoff creates the most dramatic flows.
What campers like
Quiet, wooded settings: Rustic cabin areas typically offer more privacy. "We opted for the rustic campground which still allowed access to the bathroom and showers, but was secluded from the cabin and RV area," explains a Superior Times reviewer. The separation from main campground areas reduces noise and increases wildlife sightings.
Lakefront views: Properties adjacent to Lake Superior provide natural soundscapes. "A treat to fall asleep in one of the yurts to the sound of the waves lapping the shore," shares one Uncle Ducky's guest. Morning views from waterfront cabins often include mist rising off the water during cooler months.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained cabins receive consistent praise. "We stayed in one of the basic cabins - and were astounded at how clean they were and how good they smelled - like fresh cut wood!" reports a visitor to Rippling Rivers RV Resort. The resort's bathroom facilities feature keycode entry for added security and cleanliness.
Proximity to attractions: Cabin locations enable efficient day trips. "This is an immaculately clean and well run campground. Once they are finished and the shade trees grow this will be a premier campground in a beautiful area," notes a visitor to Pictured Rocks RV Park and Campground. Most cabin sites offer convenient access to both town services and natural areas.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Winter closures affect most properties. "There were kids everywhere... Friendly staff... Seasonals were a little wild and loud," reports a Superior Times camper. Only a handful of cabins remain available from November through April, requiring advance booking for cold-weather stays.
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between properties. "The bathroom situation was bad. They just did not have large enough facilities for volume of people in the park," notes a reviewer at Wandering Wheels Campground. Some properties enforce shower time limits during peak season.
Water access: Filtering requirements apply at remote locations. "We had a RV water filter with a 5gal water storage and that last us the whole 3 day weekend," mentions a Grand Island Cabins visitor. Carrying containers becomes necessary for cabins without direct plumbing.
Site conditions: Weather impacts can create challenges. "Outhouses and showers were clean... We stayed in site 10 it was quiet and away from the core of the noise," observes a Superior Times visitor. Drainage problems affect multiple properties during heavy rain periods.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly facilities: Look for cabin properties with dedicated play areas. "Kids fished, rode Sea Doos - rented them for $60/hour, played basketball, and had a great time," shares a Superior Times visitor. Several sites maintain game rooms for rainy day activities.
Space between cabins: Site selection impacts noise exposure. "We did not get as far as planned one night and called on a whim. They had a spot open and were super accommodating," notes a visitor to Gitche Gumee RV Park & Campground. Requesting cabins away from common areas reduces noise disturbances.
Distance to water: Consider safety for young children. "The lake was nice and there was a very small sandy area near the shore. It got a little mucky as we ventured out. It was far enough from the cabin that I didn't have to worry as much about little kids drowning," explains a McKeever Cabin visitor. Locations with gradual water entry work best for families with small children.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Site selection affects amenity access. "We camped in the upper loop which had spacious sites and clean bathrooms but no sewer hook ups. The lower full hook up loop looked a little cramped," reports a Rippling Rivers RV Resort visitor. Most cabins with RV hookups cluster near main entrance areas.
Site drainage: Monitor weather forecasts before arrival. "The entire campsite was flooded, with no chance of us setting up. It wasn't just our site, multiple sites were completely flooded out," warns a Wandering Wheels visitor. Spring and fall typically bring higher precipitation, affecting low-lying cabin sites.
Storage limitations: Plan for minimal interior space. "Newer campground, not much shade but outer ring surrounded by trees. Site 50 has beautiful view. Hook ups are very nice quality," notes a Pictured Rocks RV Park visitor. Most cabin properties limit refrigeration to small units requiring frequent restocking.
