Camping near Wetmore, Michigan offers easy access to Hiawatha National Forest's 879,000 acres across the Upper Peninsula. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 600-800 feet above sea level, with dense forest coverage providing natural windbreaks from Lake Superior's strong gusts. Winter temperatures regularly dip below 0°F, limiting most camping operations to the May-October season when daytime temperatures range from 65-80°F.
What to do
Kayak Au Train River: Visitors staying at Au Train Lake Campground can easily access the river for paddling. "We kayaked Au Train River and stood in the Au Train falls. The bird watch site at camp was amazing as well," notes Chelsea & Wes J.
Explore historic iron smelting: The remains of a 19th century industrial site await at Bay Furnace Campground. "We love 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," explains Corey O.
Visit Christmas, MI: A quirky roadside stop with large Santa statue makes a fun detour from camping activities. "If you are heading back to explore the town of Christmas, and the huge Santa, there is an unexpected walking bridge across a gully for an added bit of charm," mentions Art S.
What campers like
Private lakefront sites: Some of the most prized camping spots at Hovey Lake Campsites offer direct water access. "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," shares chelsea M.
Absence of bugs in September: The notoriously thick summer insect population diminishes significantly by late summer. Marc W. from Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA notes, "This was a great time to visit as the stable flies and mosquitos were almost nonexistent."
Clean vault toilets: Despite the rustic nature of many sites, campers frequently mention the well-maintained facilities. "The vault toilets were very clean and well maintained," reports Chelsea & Wes J. about Au Train Lake, while Jonathan S. notes Bay Furnace has "very clean vault toilets."
What you should know
Satellite connectivity challenges: Dense forest cover impacts technology access at some sites. "Since we had work that had to be done, we sadly moved on," explains Rebecca B. about Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping, noting "limited solar & Starlink" capabilities under tree cover.
Site leveling issues: Several campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. Frank M. warns about Hovey Lake: "Warning, all the sites were very unlevel!"
Variable road conditions: Access roads range from paved highways to rough forest service paths. "The road in is really bumpy, taking us by surprise. It forced us to go much slower than even on the usual forest roads," describes Art S. about Bay Furnace.
Casino camping option: An alternative to traditional campgrounds exists at Kewadin Casino in Christmas, offering a more urban amenity. Victoria K. explains, "Sites have electric but no water. Some road noise but that's to be expected. Gas station right next door. Casino closed at 1am."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly accommodations: Otter Lake Campground & Lodge offers numerous activities designed specifically for children. "A lot of activities to do. There was volleyball and basketball courts & boats and stuff you can rent," notes Alexxus S.
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of ranger programs when available. Annie C. shares her experience at Bay Furnace: "The night I was there a ranger came out and did a program on owls right from the beach."
Swimming options: Water access varies significantly between sites. "The lake is clean," reports Heather about Otter Lake, while Lisa R. notes about Lake Superior at Bay Furnace: "The beach area was fantastic & the water was clean/clear but cold as would be expected. Perfect for a refreshing cool off in hot weather!"
Limited cell service: Prepare families for digital disconnection at some locations. "No cell service, but there is plenty to do to stay busy!" advises Nikki & Mike about Otter Lake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Navigational planning: Some dispersed sites have size limitations requiring advance planning. Kevin D. notes about Hickey Marsh: "Was slightly passed the pin marker on the same unlaced road - only about 1/4-1/2 off the highway... Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp."
Site selection strategy: At Pictured Rocks RV Park and Campground, positioning matters significantly. Lauren M. advises: "This is a very wide open center, or back in to Wooded sites. All site are very large and spacious... Site 4 is gravel and very up hill. But we were able to make our Solitude work off autolevel."
Hookup variations: Understand which services are available at each location. "The sites have plenty of room for multiple cars to park," notes Quynh V. about Munising Tourist Park, while Jennifer B. points out about Pictured Rocks RV Park: "We stayed in a full hook up 50 amp site, and experienced no power issues despite 2 days of freakishly high winds and scorching heat in the 90s."
