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Tent campsites in the Crystal Falls region of Michigan's Upper Peninsula range from established state forest campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Deer Lake State Forest Campground offers tent-specific sites near Crystal Falls with basic amenities, while Genes Pond State Forest Campground provides a more secluded tent camping experience about 20 miles southeast in Felch. The Ottawa National Forest and nearby Chequamegon National Forest in Wisconsin also contain numerous primitive tent camping options within an hour's drive.
Most tent campgrounds in this area feature rustic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with vault toilets available at established locations. Water access varies significantly - Genes Pond offers a hand pump for potable water, though campers report the water quality can be poor with mineral content and cloudiness. Many primitive tent setups require bringing all water or filtering from nearby lakes. The camping season generally runs May through November, with some sites accessible year-round for winter tent camping. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing certain backcountry tent areas, particularly after rain when forest roads develop significant potholes.
The tent camping experience near Crystal Falls offers genuine wilderness immersion with minimal crowds. Sites at Genes Pond State Forest Campground provide privacy between campsites with good tree cover for shade and hammock setups. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for fishing, with many campgrounds situated on small lakes with boat launches suitable for canoes and kayaks. The North Country Trail passes through the region, offering backpacking opportunities directly from some campgrounds. One camper noted that Genes Pond is "a gorgeous campground, with a boat ramp and fishing dock on the lake... ideal for anyone who really wants that northern Michigan/remote experience. At night, you can sometimes hear wolves in the distance."
"There is a fire ring and picnic table at each site."
"Loved the hike in, decided to walk the whole loop and unfortunately the bridge at the end was under water and we had to turn around and walk back instead."
"Close to the lake. Grass and gravel. Restroom share with the park/boat launch area. I would definitely stay here again. If there was a drawback would be sites have some slope toward lake."
"We rolled in at dark and we’re enchanted by trees, falling leaves and mystic lake. There aren’t many spots, but they all quintessential WI. Free water is available via a hand pump."
"No hook-ups. Pit toilets and right on the lake. First come first serve. And 2 day maximum consecutive days stay if I believe. Close to waterfalls and other lake s and parks. Great time."
"The weather was a bit cold on Lake Superior and our picnic was ruined. However we had a great laugh making sandwiches in the car in a middle of a rain storm."
"The hike-in/paddle in camping spots are equipped with a picnic table and a firepit, everything else is up to you. I have been going here yearly for the last 10ys and absolutely love it! "
"Access is from 41 turn on the gravel road outside Michigamme coming from the East."
"Tents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest."
GuideNice campground, well maintained, next to a lake with a boat ramp. Ever site has a picnic table, fire ring, asphalt pad and drying stand. Vault toilets, very limited trash collection trash cans (2). No water or waste. Only a few pull through most are back in.
TravelerGreat find. Sunday night beginning of June. Only camper in the tent section. Quiet spot with good hosts. Close to the lake. Grass and gravel. Restroom share with the park/boat launch area. I would definitely stay here again. If there was a drawback would be sites have some slope toward lake. Being only one there I found flat spot to tent but if busy choice might be limited. No control over weather but woke up and had to pack up in the rain. Definitely check it out! Thanks to the Hosts!
TravelerStayed one night on a Sunday. Mostly empty but you can see it is heavily booked for the Fourth of July weekend. They just added electric hook up to some sites in the South End. Right now the price is the same for electric or non-electric sites.
Sites are large and decent spacing between sites. Heavy tree cover with mostly shade.
The site was mostly gravel with nice fire ring and picnic table.
GuideA lovely area with a good balance of open space and tree cover. Nearby Clark Lake is very pretty, good for swimming, and serves as the primary water source. The area is covered in soft pine duff but finding a truly flat spot free of any small mounds of moss or decayed nurse logs can be a challenge.
TravelerThis campground is located just off the Sturgeon River in the Ottawa National Forest and is first come first serve with no reservations. From speaking with a local who frequents the campground, it is usually quiet with few sites actually in use at a time; it seems this year (2020) there have been more people out camping, though, so getting there earlier is better to ensure finding a site.
It is rustic -- there is no water pump, but there are pit toilets in the center of the site. If you don't bring enough water the river next to most sites can provide drinking water with the proper filtration. The national park website says there are 9 sites, but only 7 are actually available. My best guess is the MIA sites existed in the central part at one time.
Two sites can fit a camper, but they also happen to be the sites with the best view of the river. The remaining sites are tent-only due to a set of rocks blocking off the sites so vehicles do not drive in. From what I could tell with observations, 4 or 5 sites are either right on the river or have a short trail to get to the river.
The locations are sparse enough that the only thing really heard from other campers is the occasional shutting of a car door. The soft sound of the river drowns most noises out. Each site has a fire ring, most have a grate on the ring, a lantern hook, and a picnic table.
LegendThe Sturgeon River is wide and beautiful. Just imagine sitting next to the rippling water. The road there is down some dirt roads with some bumps but it’s drivable.
The small rustic campground doesn’t have all the frills so this is for the rustic campers. The sites vary but there is shade to be found. We enjoyed the seclusion of this forest campground.
On the way to camp you pass a trailhead. Head back for a hike. This is in the Sturgeon River wilderness so take care to leave no trace that you were here.
GuideWe stayed at Van Riper State Park three times during June and July. The park is always clean and well-maintained. The bathrooms and showers and generally always nicely maintained as well, and there are plenty of both. The bathrooms do tend to run out of soap and toilet paper at busy times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach but also cannot be left unattended in your site. The rules are heavily enforced in this park. Park staff will ask you to move vehicles if you have more than two, and you will be asked to turn music completely off upon quiet hours. This is not the place to go if you want to party.
Sites 15 and 17, as well as several other sites along that side of that loop, now have a wooden fence at the back of them, so they are not as large as they appear in the photos online.
We have stayed in sites 14, 90 and 93. We travel with a 34’ trailer.
Site 14 is narrow but manageable. It is well-shaded by large pine trees on the site. Site is entirely dirt. There are trees to hang hammocks or clotheslines in.
Site 90 is on a corner by the propane tanks. It is a large site. It does have some roots and low spots. It is partial grass. It has nice shade and is adjacent to the bathrooms. There are trees to hang hammocks or clotheslines.
Site 93 is a large site that backs up to a small grass/tree buffer. It is across the road from the bathrooms. It has nice shade. There is a place to hang a clothesline but not hammocks.
Pros: Clean, well-maintained park
Quiet
Lots of playground equipment
Bike/scooter pump track
Excellent beach area
Lots of green space
Hiking trails
Wood and ice available for purchase at the entrance
Laundry is available; one washer and two dryers
Very kid and pet friendly
Cons: Park website has out of date information, specifically that there is no longer a store on the beach, nor are there kayaks/SUPs to rent
The Water Warrior Island is no longer in the lake
There are very few sites with buffers between
It is sort of far to the beach and laundry from the modern campsites
No non-reservable sites available
GuideThe hike to these sites is very short. We paid when we parked. It’s a great place to camp if you want to experience being in the woods for the first time. We stayed on the south loop which has 6 sites. The sites still feel very secluded and private. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each site. There is no bear box and there definitely are bears (during one camping trip some hunters treed and shot a bear in the early morning and we saw them carrying it while hiking out) so you’ll want to hang your food. There was access to the lake from our campsite.
GuideWe have had an excellent camp-out this year here. Maybe because our site is only a yard away from the water, and with ample living space for multiple tents and a vehicle. A fire ring and a picnic table. A set of vault toilets nearby. We didn't expect to find flushing toilets in a campground anywhere, but, we have a choice here to drive up further and use the facility. The wood forest is nicely maintained. Falling off branches are taken care of off the roads right away. And, that's all we care about in enjoying the outdoors this year.
Tent camping near Crystal Falls, Michigan provides an authentic wilderness experience in the northern reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Situated in the remote Ottawa National Forest region, this area receives significant seasonal changes with winter temperatures regularly dropping below 0°F and summer highs averaging 75-80°F. Most primitive camping areas remain accessible from late May through October, though some forest roads become difficult to navigate after heavy rainfall.
Fishing opportunities: Crystal Falls area lakes offer excellent fishing access with multiple campgrounds situated directly on small lakes. At Craig Lake State Park Campground, one camper noted, "The lake has fantastic fishing for smallmouth, northern pike, crappie, walleye, and the occasional musky." Boat launch facilities at many sites accommodate small watercraft.
Hiking trails: The North Country Trail network provides extensive hiking options throughout the region. At Paint River Forks NF Campground, campers can access riverside trails with clean, well-maintained sites perfect for mid-summer exploration, though one camper warns it's "not a safe spot for early or late season campers."
Wildlife viewing: The remote location offers opportunities to spot diverse wildlife. Near Boulder Junction, one visitor reported, "We were lucky enough to see a white deer." Early morning and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing times at most campgrounds.
Genuine solitude: Many campsites in the region offer true wilderness isolation. One camper at Chequamegon National Forest Perch Lake Campground appreciated that "sites still feel very secluded and private" even on the more accessible south loop with its six sites.
Lake access: Waterfront sites provide convenient recreation options. At East Bass Lake Park, a camper mentioned it's "right on the lake" with only two spots available, making it "a great place for those who want some solitude."
Remote experience: The distance from population centers creates a true wilderness feel. One visitor to Stevens Lake Campground described arriving at dark and being "enchanted by trees, falling leaves and mystic lake," noting the mirror-like surface of the lake in the morning after fog burned off.
Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have issues with drinking water. At Blockhouse Campground, campers must bring all their water as there are no facilities. One visitor warned it's the "most isolated camp site I've been to" requiring driving "8 miles down the road with major washouts."
Limited facilities: Most tent sites are primitive with minimal amenities. Many have no showers, limited cell service, and only vault toilets. One camper at Bates Township Park noted that while the site was a "great find" with "good hosts," tent sites "have some slope toward lake" which limits flat areas when the campground is busy.
Insect activity: Biting insects can be problematic, particularly in early summer. The mosquitoes were described as "horrible" by one camper at Boulder Junction, while another mentioned "horse flys were incredibly bad" at Blockhouse Campground.
Choose established sites: For families with young children, opt for more developed campgrounds. Sites with access to basic facilities provide an easier introduction to remote camping. A visitor to Chequamegon National Forest Perch Lake Campground mentioned it's "a great place to camp if you want to experience being in the woods for the first time."
Bring entertainment: Limited cell reception means electronic entertainment options are minimal. Games, fishing gear, and field guides help keep children engaged. One camper at Boulder Junction mentioned "exploring in the woods" as a family activity despite getting temporarily lost.
Plan for weather changes: Upper Peninsula weather can change rapidly. One family described having "a picnic ruined" by a sudden rainstorm but "had a great laugh making sandwiches in the car." Bring extra tarps and rain gear even during summer months.
Access limitations: Many forest roads leading to campgrounds are unpaved and can be challenging. For RVs, sites like Genes Pond State Forest Campground or Deer Lake State Forest Campground provide more accessible options. Avoid very remote sites like Blockhouse where one camper reported "major washouts" on access roads.
Size restrictions: Most campgrounds in the area cannot accommodate large RVs. Small trailers and pop-ups work best, as one camper at East Bass Lake Park noted the "small sites for tent or pop-up" with "no hook-ups."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Crystal Falls, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Crystal Falls, MI is Perch Lake Trail and Campsites with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
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