Best Campgrounds near De Tour Village, MI

De Tour Village, Michigan sits at the eastern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where Lake Huron meets the St. Mary's River. State forest campgrounds and township parks dominate the camping landscape, with DeTour State Forest Campground offering about 21 rustic sites within a short walk to Lake Huron beaches. Drummond Island, accessible by ferry from De Tour Village, features the Township Park Campground with waterfront sites popular among paddlers. Paradise Point RV Park provides full hookup options for larger rigs, while the boat-access-only Lime Island Recreation Area offers a unique camping experience on wooden platforms with views of passing Great Lakes freighters. Most campgrounds in this region maintain a rustic character with basic amenities, reflecting the area's remote location and natural setting.

Roads leading to campgrounds in the eastern Upper Peninsula often present challenges for larger vehicles. As one camper noted about DeTour State Forest, "The road into the campground is full of large potholes, and twist and turns, thus it is not easy for vehicles longer than 25 feet to make the tight corners." Summer brings moderate temperatures with occasional cold fronts, while mosquitoes and biting flies are common, particularly in wooded areas with standing water. Cell service is limited throughout the region, especially at more remote sites. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though some private facilities accept reservations. The small town of De Tour Village offers basic supplies, with more extensive services available in Cedarville, about 20 miles west.

Lake Huron shorelines define the camping experience in this region, with sandy beaches and clear water consistently mentioned in visitor reviews. According to one camper at DeTour State Forest, "The beach was what made this place incredible. No matter where you camped a virtually private beach to Lake Huron was less than a 5 minute walk." Water activities dominate recreational opportunities, with paddling particularly popular. Visitors to Drummond Island describe it as "a paddler's dream launch site" with opportunities to explore "islands, rocky ledges, and fossil hunts." Stargazing receives frequent mention in reviews, with minimal light pollution allowing for exceptional night sky viewing. Wildlife observation, fishing, and hiking on local trails round out the available activities, though visitors should be prepared for the area's relative isolation and limited entertainment options.

Best Camping Sites Near De Tour Village, Michigan (61)

    1. Drummond Island Township Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    De Tour Village, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 493-5245

    $15 - $17 / night

    "I grew up in Michigan and had no idea that Drummond Island even existed, let alone had ever come close to it. Now, that I know it’s there, I plan to return, again and again."

    "Most beautiful place in Michigan. Favorite sites are right on the shore which is rocky. There is a shallow sandy swim beach. On calm days, I can't get off the water for long."

    2. DeTour - Lake Superior State Forest

    10 Reviews
    De Tour Village, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 635-5281

    "Not once did we have a physical distance concern at the campground. We left home with a 6 hour drive to our location."

    "Drive-in first-come first-serve camping through the Department of Natural Resources, this was my favorite place in Michigan's upper peninsula so far to tent camp."

    3. Paradise Point RV Park

    4 Reviews
    De Tour Village, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 297-3178

    "Excellent full hookups and beautiful location"

    4. Trailhead Campground

    1 Review
    De Tour Village, MI
    10 miles

    5. Lime Island State Recreation Area — Lime Island Recreation Area

    1 Review
    De Tour Village, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 643-8620

    "Lime Island Recreation Area is located in the St. Mary’s River at the very east end of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula."

    6. Wa-Wen Resort

    1 Review
    De Tour Village, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 493-5445

    $50 / night

    7. Loons Point RV Park & Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cedarville, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 484-2881

    "Lots of trails nearby."

    "Sites are narrow but the great hosts and location make it a hr eat stay."

    8. Straits State Park Campground

    75 Reviews
    St. Ignace, MI
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 643-8620

    $22 - $42 / night

    "We reserved site 83A for our family of 5. we were in close proximity to the newly constructed bathhouse complete with dish washing stations. it was a full campground on the Friday night that we were there"

    "The Straits State Park in Michigan's Upper Penninsula sits on the North end of the Mackinaw Bridge in St. Ignace."

    9. Glen's Cove

    1 Review
    De Tour Village, MI
    14 miles
    +1 (906) 297-5042

    10. Search Bay Dispersed

    14 Reviews
    Cedarville, MI
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 428-5800

    "Absolutely stunning location! This dispersed campsite offers breathtaking views right on the shoreline. The serenity of the water and the peaceful surroundings make for an unforgettable experience."

    "Great spot on the lake. A lot of people are set up. Otherwise great location"

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Recent Reviews near De Tour Village, MI

427 Reviews of 61 De Tour Village Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Castle Rock Ponds

    Perfect Hidden Gem

    We came in Mid September, the weather was still warm but 60/70. No bathrooms or hook ups, but perfect for tent or car campers. There was one other camper with a pop up camper and looked to be doing great. The road was long but worth the drive back!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    French Farm Lake Rd

    Close to Mackinaw City

    Nice to find some free dispersed camping near mackinaw city. Came in early September and it was pretty packed - gotta imagine it’s even busier in the peak of summer.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Search Bay Dispersed

    Beautiful spot on the lake.

    Nice Camp sites, pretty beach. I was there in October, so I don’t know what it would be like in warmer weather. I had the place to myself on a Saturday.

  • Kurt and Mary Ann C.
    Sep. 6, 2025

    St. Ignace-Mackinac Island KOA

    KOA

    Haven’t been here but 9 hours but appears to be well run. Great front office employees. Staying tonight and one more.

  • Hannah W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Carp River Boat Launch

    Easy to get to !

    We drove a 24 ft RV at night to the site and the road is decent but has MANY deep potholes. So you need to watch for that ! No one else at the site! Just parked off to the side of the road near the boat launch and had a view of the water ! Very secluded feeling and peaceful !

  • Deb M.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aloha State Park Campground

    Big. Beautiful lake. Nice open sites.

    There’s LOTS of sites at this state park. There’s 3 different sections, the first 2 being older with mostly “no camping pad” electric sites, and the 3rd is newer with gravel full hookup sites. The lake is easily accessible and wonderful. There are no bathrooms or showers in the new section. AT&T and T-Mobile service was fairly good. Easy access to lots of things to do during the day.

  • Vidalia S.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Search Bay Dispersed

    Busy because it's perfection

    Beautiful large dispersed camping area on the shores of lake Huron. Note camping on the beach is not permitted, but there are plenty of beautiful campsites overlooking the lake. There were only four or five other overnight campers, although during the day several groups came to use the beach and to ride ATVs, but very quiet by late afternoon. Several campsites at the end of an excellent gravel road, more further down if you have four-wheel drive. Active logging in the area when we were there. No. T-Mobile, no bugs or mosquitoes when we were there.

  • Vidalia S.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Carp River Boat Launch

    Too good to be true.

    Beautiful view of lake Huron. Labor Day weekend and no one else is here except the ubiquitous mosquitoes. Easy and easy out on a good gravel road. Access to Lake Huron.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Castle Rock Ponds

    Castle Rock easy in and out

    Just minutes off of 75 down a well maintained gravel road are the Castle Rock ponds. Decent flat parking around the ponds, with plenty of room for at least 6 rigs.


Guide to De Tour Village

Camping spots near De Tour Village, Michigan consist primarily of rustic sites in state forests and on nearby islands. Located at the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula, this area features a 3-season camping climate with summer temperatures averaging 65-75°F. Winter camping is limited due to heavy snowfall, with most campgrounds closing from late October through early May. Cell service remains spotty throughout the region, especially in more remote locations.

What to do

Kayaking and paddling: Drummond Island Township Park Campground offers excellent water access with protected areas for beginners. "Reminds me of the Carribean with all the islands in the bay. If you have 4 wheel drive, go to fossil beach," notes one camper. The shoreline provides multiple launch points with clear, shallow water.

Wildlife viewing: Watch for local wildlife including deer, foxes, and numerous bird species. "We heard freighters, loons, and various birds," reports a visitor to DeTour State Forest Campground. Early mornings and evenings provide the best viewing opportunities, especially near water edges.

Fossil hunting: Several beaches contain Devonian-era fossils. One visitor mentioned Drummond Island as having "opportunities to explore islands, rocky ledges, and fossil hunts." The best hunting occurs at low tide on rocky beaches, requiring water shoes for comfortable exploration.

What campers like

Private beaches: Many campsites provide quick access to uncrowded shorelines. "We had a group of 6, and we took sites 3 & 4 directly ahead as you entered the campground. This area was great," reports a camper at Drummond Island. Sites closer to water typically fill first during summer weekends.

Stargazing opportunities: Clear skies away from urban light pollution make this area ideal for astronomy. "On clear nights make sure to make your way out to the beach for some of the best stargazing!!" notes a visitor to DeTour State Forest. The new moon periods provide optimal viewing conditions.

Watching freighters: Lime Island State Recreation Area offers unique views of passing ships. "One of the favorite pastimes of guests is sitting and watching the large Great Lakes freighters pass by at all hours of the day. They pass so close to the island you feel you could almost touch them," according to one review. Binoculars enhance the experience.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most campgrounds maintain basic amenities only. At Search Bay Dispersed, "Your amenities are fresh air, nature, beauty and peace." Pack accordingly with sufficient water and supplies for your stay duration.

Road conditions: Access roads often present challenges, especially after rain. One camper noted, "The road into the campground is full of large potholes, and twist and turns." Four-wheel drive vehicles fare better on the unpaved forest roads leading to more remote sites.

Insects: Mosquitoes and biting flies are prevalent, particularly in June and July. "If you go there it's mostly cedar and the swarms of skeeters are pretty bad," warns a camper about Search Bay. Bring appropriate repellent and consider screened shelters for eating areas.

Tips for camping with families

Shallow swimming areas: Wa-Wen Resort offers family-friendly water access. "This is a smaller campground that is family owned. There are both seasonal and rental sites. They have the most affordable boat rentals I have seen out of everywhere," reports one visitor. The gradual entry makes it suitable for younger children.

Wildlife education: Bring field guides to identify local plants and animals. "If you check out the lake at night you can watch HUNDREDS of crawdads crawling across the rocks! If you aren't scared of the leeches that also come out at night, you can catch them by the bucketload!" mentions a Drummond Island camper. This provides educational opportunities for children.

Alternative activities: Plan indoor options for rainy days. The nearby towns of Cedarville and St. Ignace (about 20 and 45 minutes away respectively) offer small museums and shops when outdoor activities aren't possible.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Loons Point RV Park & Campground provides full hookups with waterfront options. "Waterfront campsites are very nice... Some are a bit small but overall very comfortable," notes one reviewer. Reservations are recommended during peak summer season.

Leveling challenges: Many sites require substantial leveling. "Most sites seem to have good level parking," mentions a camper at Glen's Cove, though this varies significantly between campgrounds. Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for larger rigs.

Limited dump stations: Plan ahead for waste management as facilities are sparse. "We were able to plugin to the reverse side amp, and make it work," reported a camper dealing with electrical issues at Drummond Island. Always have backup power options available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is De Tour State Forest Campground located?

DeTour - Lake Superior State Forest is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, near the eastern tip of the peninsula where Lake Huron meets Lake Superior. The campground sits approximately 6 hours from major Michigan population centers, offering an isolated and scenic camping destination. It's positioned to provide beautiful natural surroundings and serves as an excellent base for exploring the DeTour Village area. The remote location makes it ideal for campers seeking a peaceful retreat away from crowded tourist destinations.

Is dispersed camping allowed on Drummond Island near De Tour Village?

Yes, dispersed camping is available on Drummond Island near De Tour Village. Drummond Island Township Park Campground offers established camping options, but there are also dispersed camping opportunities on the island. For dispersed camping, you'll need to follow Michigan Department of Natural Resources regulations for state forest land. Search Bay Dispersed is one area where free dispersed camping is permitted. Drummond Island is accessible via ferry from DeTour Village, making it a unique camping destination that many Michigan residents don't even realize exists.

What amenities are available at De Tour State Forest Campground?

DeTour - Lake Superior State Forest is a rustic, primitive campground with limited amenities. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Amenities are minimal, focusing on a natural camping experience rather than conveniences. The campground provides basic fire pits and rustic campsites. There are no showers, electricity, or water hookups available. This is similar to French Farm Lake Rd, which also offers primitive sites with fire pits but no water, trash services, or showers. The appeal is in the isolated natural setting rather than modern facilities.