Campgrounds near Eben Junction in Michigan's Upper Peninsula provide varied camping experiences across several developed facilities and rustic sites. Forest Lake State Forest Campground offers waterfront sites on an 8-mile reservoir with minimal facilities, while Superior Times Campground provides both rustic tent camping and sites with electric hookups along Au Train Lake. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tents and RVs, with several also offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort. The region includes both National Forest campgrounds with basic amenities and private facilities with more extensive services.
Road conditions and seasonal availability significantly shape the camping experience in this area. Most campgrounds operate from May through September or October, with closures during winter months. "Great small state forest campground. Several lake front spots. All level with picnic table and fire ring. Vault tables available," noted one Forest Lake visitor, highlighting the basic but functional amenities typical of the region. Campers should verify opening dates before arrival, especially for state forest campgrounds which may have limited seasonal operations. The area experiences typical Upper Peninsula weather patterns with warm summers and frequent rainfall, making waterproof gear essential during spring and fall camping trips.
Lakefront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the Eben Junction area. Campgrounds on Au Train Lake and Forest Lake receive consistently positive reviews for their water access, fishing opportunities, and natural surroundings. Several reviewers mentioned the abundance of wildlife viewing, including loons, sandhill cranes, and osprey at Forest Lake State Forest Campground. The area serves as an excellent base camp for exploring nearby attractions including Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which is approximately 30 minutes away. While most campgrounds provide basic amenities such as vault toilets and drinking water, shower facilities are limited to certain private campgrounds like Superior Times. Visitors seeking more amenities may prefer the KOA or tourist park options near Munising, while those wanting more seclusion gravitate toward the rustic forest service sites.
$29 - $45 / night
"AMAZING views of Lake Superior just steps away from the camp site. Spots don't stay empty for long. The RV park stays full"
"If you can’t get into the campgrounds in Pictured Rocks this site is a good alternative due to its proximity (three miles) the downtown and the entrance to the park. "
$26 / night
"It's a small campground, but very near the lake, and the coolest part is the old blast furnace (hence the name of the camp on the bay) on display."
"Convenient to Pictured Rocks, which is why we made this trip to Michigan."
$26 / night
"Tucked away in a silent wooded area. Paved roads all the way in. 15 minutes from Munising. Was a perfect hideaway for us driving from SW michigan over memorial day weekend."
"Small, remote campground, located on a nice size inland lake in Hiawatha National Forest. Close to Au Train, Munising and Pictured Rock National Lakeshore."
$20 - $200 / night
"We opted for the rustic campground which still allowed access to the bathroom and showers, but was secluded from the cabin and RV area. The lake access was great! Warm water and good fishing."
"Outhouse and showers were clean Electric hook up
Filled water at dump station We stayed in site 10 it was quiet and away from the core of the noise
Friendly staff Seasonals were a little wild and"
$20 - $38 / night
"Otter Lake Campground is nestled within the Hiawatha National Forest and a close driving distance to Munising, Michigan."
"Was about 5 minutes outside Munising. Great place to stay if your planning on visiting pictured rocks. It’s right on the lake too with boat rentals if you just want to hang around your campsite."
"Near Au Train Falls. On 8 mile Forest Lake, with access. $15/night. Walk-in and lake sites. Beautiful, quiet spot with many regulars. Great for respectful campers. Great Dark Sky View!"
"Clean campground with access to the reservoir."
$40 - $45 / night
"Very close to tourist locations."
"Newer campground, not much shade but outer ring surrounded by trees. Site 50 has beautiful view. Hook ups are very nice quality Staff is very friendly."
"There is a small store/restaurant nearby too. We didn’t see hiking trails but we found a lot of atv trails. Some people were walking along the road."
"There was a little trail right to the waters edge at our site, nice and sandy (dont need water shoes) We spent most of our time there soaking up the sun in our tubes. Very quiet secluded site."
"We went in September and it was still mildly warm, bugs were gone the only thing I would recommend is water proof hiking boots which is a must hiking in Michigan anyway."
"This location kept me coming back. The KOA now offers may different activities for kids too."
"You can walk across the street to the beach along Lake Superior and are drive distance to Black Rock and Pictured Rock. They even have a brewery in the campground."
"Nice, clean, quiet right on the lake. Full hookups, level sites and lots of room for large gatherings at the party pit. A short drive to Marquette."
TravelerFirst time doing this at a free campsite. Huge site easy access right off small road. 5-6 cars drove down to see lighthouse and back and a few walkers as well. Will be back.
LegendPortage Bay State Forest Campground sits on a little peninsula just outside the Shingleton State Forest Area south of HWY 2 in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. This campground is not hard to find but it is a drive away from the main road. As you head further into the forest and closer to the campground the road narrows. There is still room to drive your RV to the campground but be cautious as some traffic can be coming from the opposite direction so pay attention and be courteous to other drivers.
As you enter the campground you will enter from the South entering on the West end of the looping around to the East shore where the 23 available campsites sit. All sites sit on the shore but some are closer to the shore than others and access to Lake Michigan is more accessible on some sites compared to others. Some sit directly on the lake and some have hills blocking the view, but you can set your tent up on the hill for a spectacular view. Having the hill on your site does help cut down on the cool breeze that can come off the lake. You can tent or RV on these sites and the sites are rather large offering you a variety of camp set up!
Pit toilets are the only toilets available. There are a couple walking trails, nothing difficult or long but they offer beautiful scenery and gorgeous walks in the woods and to the lake.
This is a rustic campground and available by walk-in or drive-in only. People that camp here like to keep things quiet! I am not saying that it is not kid friendly but lacking amenities and being a good distance from any town you might want to reconsider if you have young ones. There are some small towns on the peninsula to pick up some necessities but the nearest town of any size is almost an hour away in Manistique.
LegendIf you are looking for some great views and relatively easy hiking and an adventure then look no further than Grand Island! Grand Island sits in Lake Superior North of the city of Munising and near-by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, in fact while hiking the island you will have plenty views of Pictured Rocks! You will start your experience at the Grand Island Ferry Service where you will purchase you ticket and book your time to cross over to the island. I planned ahead and got there a day early and checked in with the staff to make sure times and tickets were available for my preferred departure. The ferry service offers a building that offers gifts and souvenirs available as well as maps of the island and some hiking needs like mosquito nets and bug spray if needed. I would recommend if you're interested in souvenirs or gifts to purchase after your trip back from the island. Parking was free overnight at the ferry station.
Once you depart for the Island it is maybe a 10 minute ride to the Island. After getting off the boat you are given clear instructions on how to get back to the mainland when you are ready.
While camping you can book reservations for campsites (or cabins) at www.recreation.gov but it is not necessary as you can camp anywhere on the Island as long as you are 100 ft from cliff edges, roads, other campsites, inland lakes and creeks and trails. I would recommend booking a reservation as those sites offer bear poles to hang your food from the many bears on the island. I did not see any bears on my visit but a couple people on the ferry ride back to mainland did see some.
The hike is relatively easy with a few steep climbs. I was told to hike counter clockwise but I wish I would have hiked clockwise instead as it seems there would have been less inclines as well as better on coming views instead of looking back to get views on the west side of the island. I was able to hike halfway around the island in a matter of about 3.5 hours and camp out at just around mile 11 where I had water access from Lake Superior to fill up the next morning to complete the entire trip around the island for my hike back to dock. I had to gather and chop my own wood for fire at night but some campgrounds do offer stocked wood for fires, check the Grand Island website to find which ones.
ScoutCamped during a snowstorm at the end of Decembers. Lots of tree cover to protect from winds and plenty of firewood. Well worth it
ScoutAwesome
ScoutFine little sites with electric and a picnic table. Nice stop for an overnight. Casino is nice and clean-friendly staff. 2025 rates $20 for 20 amp and $30 for 50 amp
ScoutLong nice road with a few pull offs once you are close to the end there is one official site with a table and fire circle. Is first come first serve but if you keep driving down there are two different boat launches with room to park/camp. We stayed in our car just in case. NOTE! the camp site is closed for updates until the end of October apparently. No service with mint
ScoutSolid spot. About 10min from Munising.
ScoutThis is a beautiful, well-kept campground. It is secluded and campsites have a bit of privacy with lots of beautiful trees. It’s a short walk to the lake and the hand pump is convenient for water. Vault toilets are clean and stocked with paper.
Camping spots near Eben Junction, Michigan dot the landscape at elevations between 600-800 feet, creating varied terrain for campers to explore. The area sits within a transition zone between northern hardwood forests and boreal forest ecosystems, providing diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Most campgrounds report cell service ranging from nonexistent to spotty, with only higher elevation sites getting reliable connections.
Kayak Au Train River: The river provides calm water suitable for beginners and families, with access points near Au Train Lake Campground. "We kayaked Au Train River and stood in the Au Train falls. The bird watch site at camp was amazing as well. Don't skip out on Pictured Rocks either," advises Chelsea & Wes J.
Visit historical sites: The Bay Furnace ruins offer a glimpse into the area's iron-smelting past. "The history of the campground with the bay furnace within the limits. Where they used to smelt iron in a 150 year old furnace is fascinating," notes Corey O. from Bay Furnace Campground.
Wildlife observation: Forest Lake offers excellent bird-watching opportunities with minimal light pollution. "Enjoyed listening to the loons, sandhill cranes and osprey! Clean campground with access to the reservoir," reports Keenan from Forest Lake State Forest Campground.
Sandy beaches: Au Train Lake offers warmer swimming than Lake Superior. "The water is beautiful and warmer than Lake Superior. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms," notes Raquel M. at Au Train Lake Campground.
Quiet, secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the peace and privacy at certain campgrounds. "There was a little trail right to the waters edge at our site, nice and sandy (dont need water shoes) We spent most of our time there soaking up the sun in our tubes. Very quiet secluded site," shares Chelsea M. about Hovey Lake Campsites.
Dark night skies: The area offers excellent stargazing opportunities away from city lights. "Great Dark Sky View!" points out Jen W. about Forest Lake State Forest Campground.
Bug protection essential: Mosquitoes and black flies can be intense, particularly in May and June. "May/June quiet with only the sounds of eagles, bull frogs, mosquitoes, and black flies. Bring your bug spray and nets," warns Raquel M.
Rustic facilities predominate: Most state forest and national forest sites have basic amenities only. "No showers at this park but we had our own with us. Our campsite was very clean when we arrived to setup camp and the hosts make sure each site looks fabulous before new individuals arrive," mentions Chelsea & Wes J.
Generator noise concerns: At some campgrounds, inconsiderate generator use affects the camping experience. "Super beautiful campground. Spent 10 days here to visit all the waterfalls, Pictured Rocks, Twelve Mile beach etc. Only down site people who are running their generators all day and night. Everyone was disturbed," reports Birgit H. from Au Train Lake Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some private campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. "We only stayed here one night but the kids had a lot of fun, they have a lot of outdoor toys. There were kids everywhere," notes Melissa M. about Superior Times.
Educational opportunities: The area provides natural learning experiences for children. "There was a great trail near our campsite that had signs and info about the birds in the area (great for young ones especially)," shares Jade G. about Au Train Lake Campground.
Site selection for families: Consider site location carefully when booking. "The sites were decent sized and the campground was quiet. Rustic style toilets and a nice beach for swimming," advises Kate K.
Level site challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring additional setup time. "Directions were a little sketchy but worth the extra effort. There's a total of 7 campsites and when I arrived 2 were already taken. I chose mine and settled in for the night. Warning, all the sites were very unlevel!" cautions Frank M. about Hovey Lake Campsites.
Electrical hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the area. "Not a whole lot of full hook up sites available. Several out in the open right at the highway... back in the woods there is electric only. Peaceful campground but no cell service or starlink under the tree canopy," notes Nick & Allyssa S. about Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA.
Site spacing varies significantly: RV parks have different approaches to site layout. "Open, level gravel sites and some concrete pads scattered throughout this pretty new campground. A few baby trees in the open meadow are trying to get started, but other than those there is no shade," reports Jennifer B. from Pictured Rocks RV Park and Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Eben Junction, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Eben Junction, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 148 campgrounds and RV parks near Eben Junction, MI and 18 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Eben Junction, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Eben Junction, MI is Munising Tourist Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 49 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Eben Junction, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 free dispersed camping spots near Eben Junction, MI.
What parks are near Eben Junction, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Eben Junction, MI that allow camping, notably Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Pictured Rocks National Park.
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