Best Tent Camping near Deerton, MI
Tent campsites in the Deerton, Michigan area include Forestville Campground and numerous options on Grand Island, approximately 15 miles west in Hiawatha National Forest. Forestville offers 15 primitive tent sites with drive-in and walk-in access, while Grand Island features several designated backcountry tent camping areas accessible by ferry from Munising, including Channel Marker, Hemlock, and Shelter Ridge campsites. Lake Superior Beachfront was previously used for dispersed camping, but recent reviews indicate this area now prohibits overnight stays with posted "No Camping" signs.
Most tent-only sites on Grand Island include basic amenities like fire rings and primitive toilets. Forestville Campground provides pit toilets and drinking water from a central spigot, with firewood available for purchase. Sites tend to be rustic with natural forest floor surfaces and minimal site development. According to a visitor on The Dyrt, "Some sites don't have fire pits and are kind of a tight squeeze with precarious tree placement." Bear poles or boxes are provided at Grand Island sites for food storage, as black bears are present. Access to Grand Island requires either a ferry from Munising or personal watercraft, adding logistical considerations for tent campers.
Grand Island tent camping areas feature varying levels of privacy and lake access. Many sites are positioned near Lake Superior beaches with stunning views. "It's about a half mile on a well maintained flat trail from the ferry dock and could be accessed by water too," notes one camper about the Channel Marker site. Tent campers should prepare for potentially intense insect activity, particularly mosquitoes and flies during summer months. Sites farthest from access points generally offer greater seclusion. Forestville sites are more accessible but still provide a rustic experience with immediate access to hiking and mountain biking trails. Sites can fill quickly on summer weekends, especially during cycling events, with first-come, first-served availability.
