Copper Harbor, MI is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Copper Harbor is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$20 - $95 / night
"No electric & water hookups. 3 his/hers vault toilets; clean. Potable water near campground entrance. Campground, cabins & trails are still under construction."
"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."
"The nearby town of Copper Harbor is very cute. Check out Jamsen's Bakery for some delicious donuts!
You can buy a state park pass at the nearby Fort Wilkins Historic State Park if you need one."
"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😬."
$25 - $50 / night
"The campground was almost empty, so we had anything we wanted, and majority of the options were on the lake!"
"Found this place to be very welcoming."
"General spots: Varies from right up next to each other to odd shaped spaces that have extra room and trees.
Our site: 40."
"On the shores of Independence Lake, just south of Lake Superior, sits this gorgeous, sparkling clean county park with a well-managed campground."
LegendLots of wooded campsites for tents, camper vans & small rigs. Several sites are in clusters. Didn't see any pull through. No electric & water hookups. 3 his/hers vault toilets; clean. Potable water near campground entrance. Campground, cabins & trails are still under construction. Although close to Lake Superior, no direct access from campground to the lake. Can hear waves crashing. Highly recommend hiking the trails at nearby Hunter's Point Park. Firewood can be purchased from the general store in Copper Harbor. No T-Mobile nor AT&T cell service. Would stay here again
GuideNew campground 15$ 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
LegendThis 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.
TravelerThe air is cool and crisp, the water is crashing against the rocky shoreline, there are tiny little mountains with tiny little trees, the sky is cloudy, and it's often a little drizzly this is a tiny little Pacific Northwest.
The road in looks intimidating, but isn't that bad.
The nearby town of Copper Harbor is very cute. Check out Jamsen's Bakery for some delicious donuts!
You can buy a state park pass at the nearby Fort Wilkins Historic State Park if you need one.
There are vault toilets but no other facilities.
Nearby attractions include...
No boat ramp, but you could get kayaks or canoes in the water easily enough.
LegendThis was a last-minute stop for us because we didn't want to stay at the campground we had originally intended. I found it here on The Dyrt, but bypassed it for another campground option. However, when we drove past the roadside sign, my husband said he wanted to check it out. And we're so glad we did!
When we pulled in, we were told to use the telephone to call the host and they would come and help us out. So when we did, somebody drove up and gave us our choice of spots. The campground was almost empty, so we had anything we wanted, and majority of the options were on the lake!
some of the spots are closer together so there's not a lot of privacy, but the side of the campground we were on had lots of buffers between the sites in the form of pine trees. each site had a gorgeous campfire ring made out of stones pulled off of the beach. It's a red Rock Beach! The bathroom was in a little house, but it had its own shower and looked like something from a log cabin. Not at all like a campground bathroom! there was another shower house at the opposite end of the campground which had similar decor. There was also dump station and fresh water easily available. not to mention the laundry house! Two washers, two dryers, and a sink for scrubbing plus all of the laundry soap and dryer sheets you needed. It was just payment on the honor system to use them. Very reasonable!
there was no electric hook-up at the site we were in, but we didn't need one. However, they were available.
Great little find in Michigan!
GuideOverall, this is a good option for coming near Marquette, especially if you have a trailer, a family, or are looking to post up for a bit.
Pros: The campsite has a lot of amenities that are easily accessible. Each site has a table, a fire pit, potable water nearby and most have electric hookup. The beach area for swimming in Lake Independence is nice with a pavilion, volleyball, and ping pong nearby. You can launch your boat or fish from the dock. The views are beautiful.
Cons: It's a crowded location that doesn't offer a lot of privacy. At 2am we were woken up by a boat coming back in from the water blasting it's music while the whole crew was loud and obnoxious.
LegendVibe: Mix of retirees and families.
Cleanliness: Above average.
Facilities: Average.
General spots: Varies from right up next to each other to odd shaped spaces that have extra room and trees.
Our site: 40. One of the odd shaped spaces that had extra buffer room and big trees for shade. It was at an intersection at the camp and traffic was pretty steady during the day.
Noise: Mostly quiet. Kids played well after dark in a parking lot across from us, but quiet hours didn’t start until 11 and they were never a problem.
Cell signal(Verizon): Full bars. I streamed a movie (Anatomy of a Murder...see below).
Other: You can swim at Independence Lake right at the camp. If you want to swim in Lake Superior, Squaw Beach is about 10 minutes away. Ate the Lumberjack Tavern and found out about“Anatomy of a Murder” and that it took place at the tavern. Turns out the couple involved had a trailer at the campground.
LegendOn the shores of Independence Lake, just south of Lake Superior, sits this gorgeous, sparkling clean county park with a well-managed campground. Wasn’t expecting much, so was blown away by the facilities for the low price. Lots of site options: non-electric, with electric only, with full hookups, walk-in or boat-in sites on the water, as well as a couple cabins. Sites are nicely spaced apart, but not much privacy between them. We chose the site right by the boat launch, which definitely has the most privacy when it’s not boating season. Lots of deciduous trees, making the fall truly glorious!
The campground was about 10% full upon arrival, and everybody left before we did, so we had the place to ourselves. Did we mention how much we love fall camping?!? Bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained and spread out throughout the campground.
Tons of hiking, mountain biking, and water sports of all kinds around. Nice boat launch facility, as well as special place to launch canoes/kayaks. A large picnic pavilion with stone fireplace sits right at the waterfront. This is a reservation only type of place (with a $3 nominal fee), but the website allows you to book for the same day, and there is decent cell service at the campground. Win win!
Stock up in Marquette before heading out here as there is only a small gas station convenience store across the road from the campground, as well as a small café and laundromat.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year for glamping in Copper Harbor?
Summer (June-August) is prime time for Copper Harbor glamping with warm days perfect for swimming and hiking, though it's also the busiest season. Fall (September-October) offers spectacular foliage with cooler temperatures ideal for hiking and mountain biking with fewer crowds. Near Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay, visitors experience cool, crisp air with occasional drizzle resembling a miniature Pacific Northwest. Spring (May) brings wildflowers but can be muddy as snow melts. Winter glamping (December-March) appeals to hardy adventurers seeking solitude and snow sports. For the perfect balance of pleasant weather and manageable crowds, aim for early September when temperatures remain comfortable but peak tourist numbers have declined.
What activities can I enjoy while glamping in Copper Harbor?
Copper Harbor offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Mountain biking enthusiasts will love the extensive trail system near Trails End Campground, which was designed by outdoor lovers specifically for adventurers. Water activities abound with opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and swimming along Lake Superior's shoreline. Hiking trails showcase the region's natural beauty with stunning vistas. The area also features scenic drives, wildlife watching, and stargazing opportunities in the clear Upper Peninsula skies. In winter, the region transforms for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fat tire biking. Don't miss exploring the charming downtown with local shops and eateries after your outdoor adventures.
How much does glamping cost in Copper Harbor?
Glamping costs in Copper Harbor vary widely depending on accommodation type, amenities, and season. Basic enhanced camping at Perkins Park & Campground starts around $25-35 per night for sites with electricity, while their improved sites with full hookups command higher rates but provide excellent value with lake access. For budget-conscious travelers seeking a more rustic experience, Trails End Campground offers sites for approximately $15 per night with basic amenities. Premium glamping experiences with upscale accommodations and amenities typically range from $100-250+ per night depending on the property, season, and included features. Most properties offer discounts for weekday stays and off-season bookings, with peak summer rates being considerably higher than spring or fall prices.
What luxury glamping options are available in Copper Harbor, Michigan?
Copper Harbor's luxury glamping scene is evolving with several distinctive options. Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground offers premium accommodations with waterfront views and modern amenities that elevate the camping experience. The resort provides a more luxurious stay while maintaining a connection to the natural surroundings. Fanny Hooe Resort & Campground features comfortable cabins that blend rustic charm with modern conveniences. Throughout the area, you'll find various glamping experiences ranging from well-appointed yurts and canvas tents with real beds to fully-furnished cabins with electricity, heating, and sometimes private bathrooms. Many locations offer extras like fire pits, outdoor furniture, and equipped kitchenettes for a truly elevated outdoor experience.
Keep Exploring
