Cabin camping near Eckerman, Michigan offers opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout the Upper Peninsula. Located about 28 miles south of Paradise, Eckerman sits at an elevation of approximately 820 feet in an area known for its northern hardwood forests and proximity to Lake Superior. Winter temperatures can drop below zero, while summer averages remain mild at 75-80°F, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences.
What to do
Visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park: The park features hiking trails connecting upper and lower falls sections. "I stayed at the Rivermouth Pines rustic campground for a surprisingly warm fall colors weekend. It was a beautiful, quiet campground with stunning views. It is a bit of a drive to the upper falls, though, so be prepared for that!" reports Ashleigh M. from Rivermouth Modern Campground — Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Explore Lake Superior beaches: Sherman Park offers public beach access with views of passing freighters. "Watching the 1000 foot lake freighters come in the St. Mary's River makes up for it though. Enough can't be said for the wilderness found in the UP either," notes Wesley R. from Sherman Park.
Snowmobile and cross-country ski trails: Winter visitors can access extensive trail networks from local campgrounds. A visitor to Lower Falls Campground — Tahquamenon Falls State Park mentioned, "Snowmobiled, snowshoed, hiked, cross countries, oh and nice waterfalls," highlighting the multiple winter activity options.
Visit nearby historic sites: The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is approximately 20 minutes from some campgrounds. "20 minutes away is the Great Lakes shipwreck museum (if you're into history it's really cool)," shares Tom from Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
What campers like
Heated swimming pools: Several private campgrounds offer this amenity when temperatures drop. At Newberry Campground, visitors appreciate the "nice heated pool" with one reviewer noting it was "very warm" during their stay.
Proximity to ferries: Campers value locations that provide transportation to Mackinac Island. "They offer a free shuttle to mackinaw ferry. That was really helpful," reports Nicole P. about Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA.
Dark sky viewing: The area offers exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Michigan State parks earn extra marks for their recycling: paper, plastic, aluminum, and best of all - propane canisters," notes Lee D. about Tahquamenon Falls State Park, highlighting environmental considerations that preserve the area's natural darkness.
Quiet rustic experiences: Campers seeking seclusion find options at various parks. "The campground is nestled in the trees along the Tahquamenon River near the rivermouth of Lake Superior. The campsite was on the end of the loop with the walking path along the river," writes Cody S., describing the peaceful setting.
What you should know
Water access varies by location: Not all campgrounds offer direct water access. "The Rivermouth campground is about a 20-30 minute drive to the main Tahquamenon Falls State Park," reports Cody S., indicating the distance between camping areas and attractions.
Seasonal bug conditions: Summer visitors should prepare for insects. "One thing to mention is the bugs in the UP in the summer are just overwhelming," warns Tom about Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Flooding risk at some sites: Heavy rains can impact campability. A visitor to Tahquamenon Falls State Park described a site "under several inches of water" after heavy rainfall, making tent setup impossible.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Kritter's Northcountry Campground, one camper noted "barely one bar" of Verizon service, though some locations offer WiFi as an alternative.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Choose campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "There is a playground with lots of things for the kids to do," mentions Lemae H. about Kritter's Northcountry Campground, providing details about family amenities.
Consider site proximity to facilities: Some family-friendly sites are strategically located. "It was across from the playground which my kids loved. I loved that it was close the the bathhouse which also had laundry," shares Joie V., highlighting convenient site placement.
Indoor recreation options: Some campgrounds offer game rooms for rainy days. A visitor to Brimley State Park Campground noted "Ranger programs for kids, nice playground" among the family-friendly features.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs specifically for children. "Michigan State parks earn extra marks for their recycling: paper, plastic, aluminum, and best of all - propane canisters. I wasn't sure what 'returnables' meant so it might be good to explain," suggests Lee D., highlighting learning opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup details: Most campgrounds offer electric sites, though amperage varies. "There is a water fill station on the way into the campground," mentions Tom about Tahquamenon Falls State Park, noting that while electric is available, water hookups aren't at every site.
Pull-through site configurations: Some campgrounds offer spacious pull-through options. "All the sites are pull through so your front door faces another front door. Roomy sites with designated fire pits," explains Lemae H. about Kritter's Northcountry Campground.
Adapter availability: Some parks can provide electrical adapters if needed. "Site did not have a 20 amp plug just a 30 amp but owner had an adapter he let me borrow," shares Joie V., demonstrating helpful campground service.
Shared utility connections: Water hookups may require special arrangements. "The only weird thing about the sites was the water hook ups were shared (which is tough for a pull through) so we needed three hoses to hook up," advises Erin A. about St. Ignace-Mackinac Island KOA.
