Best Tent Camping near Escanaba, MI

The Upper Peninsula forests surrounding Escanaba, Michigan offer several tent camping options for those seeking lakeside experiences. Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road provides dispersed tent camping within Hiawatha National Forest, with only two designated sites available for stays up to 14 days. Genes Pond State Forest Campground, located near Felch, offers primitive tent campsites with basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets. For those willing to travel slightly farther, Newport State Park in Wisconsin provides walk-in tent sites with Lake Michigan shoreline access, while Rock Island State Park features tent-only camping accessible via ferry.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature natural, ungraded surfaces ranging from forest duff to sandy shorelines. At Peninsula Point, campers should note the limited availability with only two official sites located on the left side of the access road heading toward the lighthouse. Vault toilets are available at the lighthouse, but no drinking water is provided. Genes Pond offers approximately 12-15 well-shaded sites with hand-pumped water, though campers report the water quality is poor and recommend bringing your own. Fire rings are standard at most sites, and 14-day stay limits typically apply at dispersed locations. Weather conditions can affect accessibility, particularly in early spring when ice may still be present along Lake Michigan shorelines.

In early fall, tent campers often find more solitude and fewer insects at these locations. According to reviews, Genes Pond State Forest Campground provides exceptional privacy between sites. One camper noted, "We had the campground to ourselves the first time, and the second time there was only one other camper." At Newport State Park, backcountry tent camping sites require hikes ranging from 0.75 to 2 miles, offering varying levels of seclusion. Sites include bear boxes, fire rings, and shared pit toilets. The walk-in tent sites at Rock Island State Park become significantly less crowded in fall, with visitors reporting that during peak summer months the campground can be packed, while in shoulder seasons only a handful of other campers might be present.

Best Tent Sites Near Escanaba, Michigan (19)

    1. Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

    4 Reviews
    Escanaba, MI
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 428-5800

    "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.."

    "Some very light traffic as there is a lighthouse/ restrooms down the road from both of these. Not really walking distance for most, but manageable in any form."

    2. Rock Island State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Ellison Bay, WI
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 847-2235

    "Rock island SP is a dark sky spot and combine that with lesser people around, it was a perfect location for stargazing!"

    "We stayed at backpacking site B. In our opinion the best backpacking site in the island. It's secluded, tree covered but offers great views of Lake Michigan."

    3. Newport State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Ellison Bay, WI
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 854-2500

    $20 / night

    "We hiked to site 16 but ended up hiking back to site 1 because there was still quite a bit of ice on Lake Michigan by site 16. Both campsites had a fire ring, camp bench seats and bear boxes."

    "Newport State park is a great place to take a short backpacking trip to quiet campsites that are near lake Michigan."

    5. Boney Falls Basin Campground

    1 Review
    Gladstone, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 786-1660

    6. Welcker's Point Campground — Peninsula State Park

    9 Reviews
    Ephraim, WI
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (920) 868-3258

    $20 - $22 / night

    "These sites are non-electric/no hookups. The dump station and water fill is near Tennison Bay Campground. 

    There are flush toilets and showers that could use a remodel or a deep cleaning."

    "Campground Review

    Welcker's Point is a well-shaded but somewhat open campground at the north end of the state park. The sites are nicely sized and very comfortable. "

    7. Genes Pond State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Norway, MI
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 875-6622

    $15 / night

    "It’s a gorgeous campground, with a boat ramp and fishing dock on the lake."

    "We came in from the west and town is at the start of the drive deeper into the woods. It’s still close enough to get supplies if you need them."

    8. Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Wetmore, MI
    39 miles

    "Great site located between two lakes. In response to the previous review, your best directions will come from locating the site on your GPS (in our case Google Maps) and dropping a pin."

    "We did have to clear a bunch of down trees to get down the road but we had the site and the lakes to ourselves. It was gorgeous."

    9. Indian River Campground

    2 Reviews
    Hiawatha National Forest, MI
    44 miles
    Website

    10. Ewing Point Rustic Campsite

    1 Review
    Wetmore, MI
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 387-2512

    $8 / night

    "Quiet, secluded campsite on McKeever Lake. Very large site with a pit toilet nearby and two access points to Bruno's Run Hiking Trail (9 miles) near the parking area."

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Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Escanaba, MI

559 Reviews of 19 Escanaba Campgrounds



Guide to Escanaba

Tent camping near Escanaba, Michigan offers a blend of serene natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Haymeadow Creek NF Campground features picnic tables and fire rings at each site, providing a cozy atmosphere for evening gatherings.
  • At Rock Island State Park Campground, campers can enjoy a unique experience with hike-in sites and access to drinking water, making it a convenient choice for those who want to immerse themselves in nature.
  • Newport State Park Campground offers a private waterfront experience with clean bathrooms and fresh water available at the ranger station, ensuring a comfortable stay.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • The Boney Falls Basin Campground is close to hiking trails, allowing for exploration of the beautiful Upper Peninsula landscape.
  • Campers at Whispering Valley RV Park can enjoy fishing and water sports, making it a great spot for those who love aquatic activities.
  • Corner Lake Campground provides access to scenic trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Escanaba, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Escanaba, MI is Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed with a 4.3-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Escanaba, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Escanaba, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.