128 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options near Escanaba in Michigan's Upper Peninsula include several well-maintained sites worth checking out. Munising Tourist Park Campground has good-sized sites and you can easily walk to Lake Superior from your camp. Over in Hiawatha National Forest, Bay Furnace Campground feels more remote with its thick woods and lake views. You'll find spots for both tents and RVs at these campgrounds. Around Escanaba, there are plenty of hiking trails and fishing areas to keep you busy during your stay. Many campers take day trips to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to see the colorful cliffs and clear water. Weather in this part of Michigan changes throughout the year - summers aren't too hot, winters get very cold with lots of snow, and fall brings really nice colors to the trees. Some campgrounds close during winter, so it's smart to call ahead if you're planning a cold-weather trip. Pack for changing conditions since the weather can shift quickly. Being close to Lake Michigan means you can also go kayaking or just relax by the water when you're not at your campsite.
"Compared to all the other campgrounds we had been to in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and seeing as it was still the busy summer camping season we were shocked. "
"We parked in a river spot , and it was such a wonderful location, bathrooms right across a field, nice big playground, room for our motorhome, jeep, and hybrid van to charge !"
"This county-operated park sits on a pretty part of Bay de Noc in Gladstone Bay just north of the larger town of Escanaba in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. "
"The sites in this section of the campground are very spread out and many have a view of the lake. The full hookup sites are a little more packed together."
"Little Bay De Noc, Lake Michigan access with a pier. Only a few campsites, but includes group fire pit, playground and proximity to Pictured Rocks, 1 hour."
"Vibe: Woodlands getaway setback deep in nature with access to Lake Michigan beach. Cleanliness: Above average. "
from $26 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Not really walking distance for most, but manageable in any form. Caught northern lights, Milky Way, and glorious sights every day."
"But there was two established campsites that are near the entrance of the light house. Both open and with pits. We stayed in the second one. It was very nice to have open space."
"Nice little county campground on lake Michigan. Sandy Beach. Clean bathrooms and showers, and a small laundry facility. Electric and water on each site."
"You could drive by and miss this little gem. Beautifully kept up county park with clean shower house. Pet friendly, they even have a hitching post for your pet while visiting the bathrooms."
"Large RV’s , very quiet , away from the casino. Inexpensive, clean and very neat. Will definitely stay here again."
"Great views of Lake Michigan! Beautiful sandy beach just a short walk away! Really nice playground for the kids. Overall, one of our favorite places to connected camp!"
"This was our first experience at this park in the southern section of the western part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Many of the sites are just feet from Lake Michigan. "
from $20 - $216 / night
Check Availability"Isolated, quiet park on Lake Michigan. Nicely spaced and shaded sites. Some level, many not so great. Big fire rings. Picnic tables. Electric hookups only."
"Site 53 and 54. 53 is nearly at the top of the horseshoe and has trail access to Lake MI. Site 54 starts a series of smaller, back in slot type sites."
"Near Escanaba, this clean campground is easily accessible from a Highway 2. The campground is at the back of the casino tucked amidst tall trees."
from $23 - $28 / night
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ScoutClean, it has a park for children, clean bathrooms, close to everything, reasonable price. I called last minute on Saturday and they got me a spot right away. I suppose to check out at noon Sunday but they allow us to stay longer with no extra charge so the kids can still playing during the day. (No every rv park allow that) so thank you guys 👌
RangerThe first thing we noticed driving in is that the wash house closes today 10/14 at 4 PM for the season, which isn’t an issue for us. Open sites, walkways to a rocky beach, but also trail to a sandy beach. Our site is not level.
GuideParking off a paved rd, not rough. 1/4 mile walk to the most awesome site on the water. Perfect for boat or canoes.
GuidePaved roads coming in. Huge sites and a lot of trees between em. Took #1 has scenic bench’s on Lake right across the drive with sunset view. 13 miles to Munising
GuideNice campground. Some with full hook up and some with just water and electricity. We were on site 404 with just water and electricity. There are a couple of business next to the campground, so can't really touch base with nature. But it is home base. One major bathroom and the rest is porta potties. Nice staff and accommodations are clean.
LegendThis is a lovely campground for families. Easy access to the lake for fishing and kayaking. The water side sites are great! Clean facilities and hot showers. Our next door site neighbors had 12 kids between their 2 sites. You can imagine we did not have a peaceful experience here. Neither the parents nor Camp host gave 2 hoots about quiet hours. The kids were screaming and running through our campsite well after 11 pm each night. Which leads me to my only 2 issues with this campground. There are few cut-throughs to access the bathrooms, so at any moment a stranger could be found unapologetically walking right thru your site. Issue two… I urge you to stead clear of booking site 810. The dishwashing/water station is located inside this site. Not near the road like the rest of them but, inside the site. We spent our evening with either screaming children using it as “safe” zone for freeze-tag, or the entire loop washing their dishes. Not fun….
GuideDecent RV Site...lot adjacent to casino...economically priced..30/50 amp hook up. We stopped late in the evening needing a secure, safe site for a night....cross country RV travelers. Highly recommend...couldn't be easier or more convenient considering our routing and needs(mosquitos enjoyed our visit...so we didn't spend much time outside....but did venture in the casino for a visit)
GuideThere were no open sites when we got here on a Thursday afternoon so we had to stay in an overgrown site. It was very shaded from the trees so it was not great for our solar capabilities. Loved that there was a cute trail nearby though. No cell service for us with Verizon, only way to get it was to go 10 miles by the main turn in road. There’s no big towns nearby so you had to travel quite a ways for groceries etc. Campsites a bit close to one another for my taste but everyone was respectful so it was peaceful and lovely otherwise! Mosquitos were around definitely.
TravelerSuper easy to get to. 1.7 miles of a well maintained gravel road and the last .5 is more dirt but still well maintained.
Escanaba offers diverse camping experiences within the central Upper Peninsula region. Located where the Escanaba River meets Lake Michigan, the area sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with a continental climate featuring 30-inch annual precipitation. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs averaging in the 70s. The camping season typically runs May through October, with some facilities closing earlier due to weather conditions.
Fishing access points: At Pioneer Trail Park & Campground, you can fish right from your site. "Access to fishing right at our site and disc golf across from our camper!" notes Dana K., who appreciated the convenience of waterfront sites. The nearby Escanaba River provides good fishing opportunities.
Historic explorations: Fayette State Park Campground offers a unique camping experience next to a preserved ghost town. "When you camp here you can visit the townsite at night. I'm a photographer and I love the challenge of taking night pictures! I love the history here," writes Brianne M. The self-guided walking tour takes about two hours to complete.
Lighthouse visits: Drive south from Little Bay De Noc to see Peninsula Point Lighthouse. "Peninsula Point Lighthouse is about 10 miles south of the campground entrance but a pretty drive and neat to explore the grounds. Looks like an excellent place for sunset watching," shares Neil T. The lighthouse area also serves as a monarch butterfly migration point during certain seasons.
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site sizes in the area. At Pioneer Trail Park, "The sites are the usual mix of pull thrus and back-ins, rustic tent and water/electric. None of the sites have sewer but some have 20/30/50 amp electric with water and others are rustic tent sites. The electric and water sites long enough for any size RV," according to Nancy W.
Clean facilities: O.B. Fuller Campground maintains excellent standards. "Beautifully kept up county park with clean shower house. Pet friendly, they even have a hitching post for your pet while visiting the bathrooms," reports Matt R. The campground features a small playground near the beach area.
Lake access: Direct water access ranks high with visitors. "The sunset was incredible. There are two sites, both on the left side while headed south," writes Willow M. about Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed, noting the prime water views from both dispersed camping locations.
Road noise considerations: Some campgrounds have nearby traffic. At Pioneer Trail Park, "The park is located off HWY 2 so access is easy but there is a bit of road noise. Plus, when we visited there was road construction going on that produced traffic backups and more noise. But the real problem is the train tracks that runs alongside the campground and seemed busy 24/7."
Limited services: Dispersed camping along Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road offers beautiful settings but no amenities. "This area is gorgeous, it's surrounded by lake superior, and there is a really neat old lighthouse with pit toilets at the end of the road. It's a one lane road btw, with multiple cutouts in the road for passing," explains evi L., noting there are only two permitted dispersed sites.
Seasonal odor issues: Gladstone Bay Campground gets high marks for location but has one consistent drawback. "First off we noted several comments regarding the smell of gas/propane, and yes we could smell the same," confirms Jim & Karen A. Other campers note this odor can be stronger on certain days.
Beach activities: O.B. Fuller Campground offers ideal family beach access. "All sites are within a short walking distance of the beach and some are right on the beach. Site L1 had a good mix of beach and woods. Near the beach is a small playground for the kids," recommends Matt R.
Playground options: Little Bay De Noc provides nature encounters kids enjoy. "We saw a porcupine hanging out in a tree and eating leaves, deer and a turkey," reports Neil T., highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities that children typically find exciting.
Wildlife watching: J.W. Wells State Park features both water activities and inland exploration options. "There is a ball diamond for kids and a small court for basketball. There is also some nice cabins and areas for tents," notes Pete W., describing the recreational options beyond just swimming and hiking.
Level sites: Island Resort & Casino RV Park provides well-maintained, level sites. "Easy back in sites as well as pull thru for big rigs..clean well maintained showers and restroom," notes Nancy D. The park also offers a free shuttle to the casino.
Dump station access: Plan ahead for waste disposal as not all parks have dump stations. At Little Bay De Noc, "For RVers, no dump station, no water fill, no electric, but the sites are huge," notes CHris B., emphasizing the need to arrive with fresh water and empty holding tanks.
Power options: Electric service varies between campgrounds. Gladstone Bay Campground offers good value for RVers. "We had an electric spot with a 50, 30, 110 electrical hook up," Jim & Karen A. explain, noting the multiple amperage options that accommodate different RV power needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available near the Escanaba River State Forest?
The Escanaba River State Forest area offers diverse camping experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Kleinke Park Campground provides a beautiful setting for tent camping and pop-up campers adjacent to Lake Michigan, with space for children and pets to explore. While operating on a first-come, first-served basis, it serves as an excellent base for day trips to Escanaba and Gladstone. O. B. Fuller Campground near Bark River offers reservable sites with water access and toilets, accommodating various camping styles including drive-in and boat-in access. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road offers dispersed camping opportunities with basic facilities. The region generally provides good access to the forest's extensive trail systems, fishing spots, and natural attractions throughout the camping season.
Are there RV parks with full hookups in Escanaba, Michigan?
Yes, the Escanaba area has several RV-friendly options with full hookups. Island Resort and Casino RV Park near Escanaba offers clean facilities with paved pull-through sites featuring electric and water hookups. The park is nestled among tall trees behind the casino and provides easy highway access. Pioneer Trail Park and Campground near Gladstone is another excellent option for RVs, offering reservable sites with water hookups and big-rig-friendly spaces. Most RV parks in the area are open seasonally, typically from May through October, and advance reservations are recommended during summer months. The region's campgrounds generally provide clean facilities, reasonable rates, and serve as good bases for exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
What are the best campgrounds in Escanaba, MI?
Escanaba and its surrounding areas offer several excellent camping options. Gladstone Bay Campground stands out with its beautiful Lake Michigan waterfront location, mix of seasonal and transient sites, and convenient proximity to Escanaba. For a peaceful lakeside experience, Little Bay De Noc offers Lake Michigan access with a pier, playground facilities, and serves as a great base for exploring the region. Other notable options include Pioneer Trail Park near Gladstone with reservable sites and amenities for larger rigs, and Kleinke Park which provides a serene Lake Michigan setting. The area's campgrounds generally offer a good balance of natural beauty, water access, and basic amenities, making them popular destinations for Upper Peninsula adventures.
How is J.W. Wells State Park for camping compared to other Escanaba area options?
J.W. Wells State Park Campground offers a distinctive camping experience with its prime waterfront location along Lake Michigan. The park is particularly noted for family camping, providing a good testing ground for new equipment and outdoor adventures. While it offers the natural beauty typical of Upper Peninsula state parks, some campers find facilities more basic compared to other options in the region. For those seeking more amenities, Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park provides full hookups, spacious bathrooms with showers, and is located near the Escanaba River with excellent fishing opportunities. J.W. Wells does have the advantage of state park protection and lake access, but lacks some of the creature comforts found at more developed campgrounds in the area.
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