Best Tent Camping near Chatham, MI
State parks and national forests surrounding Chatham, Michigan offer numerous tent-only camping options, with Grand Island National Recreation Area providing some of the most pristine backcountry tent camping in the region. Located within Hiawatha National Forest, Grand Island features several walk-in tent sites including Channel Marker Campsite, Hemlock Campsite, and Duck Lake Campsites. These primitive tent campgrounds are accessible via ferry from Munising, approximately 25 miles from Chatham, and require either a short hike or boat access to reach the campsites.
Most tent campsites in the area feature minimal amenities, with sites typically set on natural forest floor with little to no grading. Bear boxes and poles are standard at Grand Island sites, providing secure food storage for tent campers. Pit toilets are available at most locations, though their condition varies throughout the season. Campers should bring water filtration equipment, as potable water is limited to a few locations like Hemlock Campsite, where well water is available about half a mile from the site. Fire rings are common at established sites, and some locations even provide firewood, though availability is inconsistent. Insect protection is essential, particularly during summer months when mosquitoes and flies can be abundant.
Tent campers frequently cite the seclusion and natural beauty as primary reasons for choosing these sites. According to reviews, Channel Marker Campsite offers "a perfect distance from the ferry dock, about half a mile on a well-maintained flat trail," making it accessible for those new to backcountry tent camping. At Duck Lake Campsites, visitors enjoy beach access with "beautiful sunset opportunities and clear night skies." One camper noted that Gull Point Campsite, requiring a nine-mile hike from the ferry dock, provides "incredible seclusion" with a "lovely area on the cliff edge where you can cook a meal and look at the water." Cell service is minimal or non-existent at most sites, allowing for a true disconnect from technology while tent camping in this remote Upper Peninsula region.