Seasonal RV sites near Covington, Michigan typically operate from May through October due to the harsh Upper Peninsula winters where temperatures can dip well below freezing. The area sits at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet within Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, characterized by dense forests and numerous inland lakes. Cell service throughout the region is spotty, with connectivity improving near larger towns like Houghton.
What to do
Explore Lake Superior shorelines: L'Anse Township Park & Campground offers direct access to Lake Superior with multiple viewing points. "Beautiful & clean. Great site overlooking Lake Superior. Need to walk over highway to get to water," notes camper Debra R., who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Visit local museums: Country Village RV Park in Ishpeming serves as a convenient base for exploring regional history. As Nancy W. mentioned, "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."
Fish local rivers: At Sparrow Rapids Campground, visitors can access stream fishing just down the hill from the campsites. "Wonderful stay, quiet, and the river is so close. And if you get bored you can go to Kenton to meet some of the locals at Hoppies bar or UP Chucks bar," shares Ryan N.
Hike nearby trails: The Porcupine Mountains are accessible from several area campgrounds. Fred S. at River Road RV Park mentions, "Refused to pay a lot of money for a crappy campsite at Union Bay campground - Porcupine Mtn State Park, so we stopped for the night at River Road Campground."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Kyle P. from Country Village RV Park noted, "It features a nice pool, however, not much privacy, cabins are pretty nice." Other campers appreciate the big-rig friendly layout of many parks in the region.
Waterfront views: The City of Houghton RV Park offers prime waterfront positioning. Nancy W. shared, "Loved this park. Despite the sites being pretty close, you have great water views, within walking distance to downtown and a short car ride away from lots of things to do and places to visit."
Clean facilities: Pete D. mentioned that at Country Village RV Park, "Bathroom and showers are super clean. Plenty of hot water. Heated pool and hot tub are available and spotless." This attention to cleanliness is echoed across several campgrounds in the area.
Privacy at smaller campgrounds: At Sparrow Rapids Campground, Art S. observed, "The small campground nestles sites in close but still gives some privacy on most of them... It's a nice place for a free campground."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most RV parks in the region operate seasonally from May to October. The L'Anse Township Park & Campground serves as a typical example with their May to October operating season.
Cell service varies: Connectivity can be surprisingly good in some remote areas. At Sparrow Rapids Campground, Sarah W. reported, "I was happy to have service in the woods. We were able to work and talk nice walks while we had free time. A few bars with Verizon and we can log on. Big plus."
Site spacing concerns: Thomas V. noted about L'Anse Township Park, "Spots are small, side-by-side and no privacy, but they have several spots to watch spectacular sunsets." This trade-off between site spacing and views is common at waterfront campgrounds.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer months. At City of Houghton RV Park, Carol W. advised, "We camped for a week in our 42 ft motor home with jeep," but others note the park books quickly and requires advance planning.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campground playgrounds: Jessica P. from Country Village RV Park shared, "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."
Check for proximity to town: Families appreciate campgrounds with nearby services. Jessica P. continued about Country Village RV Park, "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)."
Consider campgrounds with beach access: Ber M. noted that at City of Houghton RV Park, "Beautiful and clean! Right on the water with a little hut. Awesome playground as well. There is a hike across the water that has incredible waterfalls."
Look for pet-friendly policies: Debra R. mentioned that L'Anse Township Park is "Family & pet friendly with awesome playground." Kim E. added, "New shower rooms, and huge dog park are awesome!" making this a good option for families traveling with pets.
Tips from RVers
Check site leveling before choosing: Nancy W. noted at Country Village RV Park, "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."
Consider access road conditions: At Sparrow Rapids Campground, Dave mentioned, "Access to the campground is off of a gravel road which is somewhat narrow," which could be challenging for larger RVs.
Look for pull-through availability: The campgrounds around Covington vary in their ability to accommodate different RV sizes. VB S. noted about River Road RV Park, "Really great spaces for long Class A and C Motorhomes."
Be aware of campground layouts: At Borderline RV Park, Susan T. mentioned it's a "Great community in the park for summer/early fall living," with convenient access to outdoor recreation, making it suitable for longer stays.