Cabin camping near Ewen, Michigan offers rustic accommodations in the western Upper Peninsula's diverse forest terrain. Located between 1,200-1,600 feet above sea level, this region experiences seasonal temperature swings from summer highs around 80°F to winter lows regularly below 0°F. Cabins remain accessible from late spring through fall, with most facilities closing during the winter months due to heavy snowfall that typically exceeds 150 inches annually.
What to do
Waterfall visits: Bond Falls, located near Bruce Crossing, offers both camping and impressive cascades. "Bond Falls is beautiful! The campground is tidy but busy. There is a nearby gift shop that sells just about anything you may have forgotten. The trail system is fabulous and some trails are handicap accessible," notes a camper at Bond Falls Campground.
Fishing access: Lake Gogebic provides excellent fishing opportunities. "Seen a few bald eagles fishing while there. There is a rental place north of the campgrounds to rent pontoons and the like," reports a visitor to Lake Gogebic County Park. The lake is known for walleye fishing throughout the summer months.
Hiking trails: The Porcupine Mountains offer extensive trail networks with lake views. A visitor to Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park recommends: "This place in the fall is magic. Beautifully wooded, many sites have a view of Lake Superior. You can hear the waves at night."
What campers like
Secluded lake access: Bob Lake Campground provides private waterfront sites. "We found a spot with our own little beach front and got to watch the fireflies at night. The only problem we had were the mosquito's! Bring your bug spray!" advises a visitor to Bob Lake Campground.
Variety of site options: Sparrow Rapids offers six established sites with river access. A camper notes, "It is a great and mostly empty spot for primitive camping. There's a fire pit with built in rack for stove top/grill stuff as well as a post and hook to hang things from and a picnic table. Plenty of trees to set up a hammock."
Clean facilities: Many campsites maintain well-kept bathroom facilities despite remote locations. "The bathrooms were extremely clean. It's located at the entrance to the Porkies which was super nice and only 20 minutes to the grocery store," reports a visitor at Union River Big Bear Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal insects: Bug activity varies significantly by season. "The mosquitoes and flies were so bad that our dogs faces were getting bloody and bug spray and a fire did nothing for us. We packed up and canceled our whole trip after that," cautions a camper at Bond Falls Flowage, suggesting fall visits might be preferable.
Limited services: Many campgrounds have minimal amenities. At Sparrow Rapids Campground, "The one lane dirt road that heads here is almost 5 miles long. With the road closed just after the campground, people only come out here on purpose. This means that the other campers are the only ones around."
Weather variability: Conditions change rapidly in the UP. "We camped at Lake Gogebic for one night in July. There were quite a few muddy spots at our & surrounding sites due to a lot of recent rain. We had to move our car to the parking lot to avoid getting stuck."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas for children. At Lake Gogebic County Park, one visitor noted it has a "clean swimming area along with plenty of wildlife" and "the beach area was nice with a nice big sandy beach for the kids."
Playground facilities: Some campgrounds include play areas. A visitor to Union River Big Bear Campground shares: "Our site was very close to the playground and we could see our kids playing there from our site."
Education opportunities: Wildlife viewing provides learning experiences. At Sylvania Clark Lake Campground, visitors enjoy "gorgeous hikes nearby (hiking around Clark lake is an 8-10 mile trek that's gorgeous the whole way)" with opportunities to spot deer, eagles, and other wildlife.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Electric box placement varies between campgrounds. At Lake Gogebic County Park, "The electric is stationed in the cross of for sites. So bring long extension cord," advises an RV camper.
Size restrictions: Many forest roads limit larger RVs. When visiting Bob Lake, one camper notes, "The road in was narrow so I'm not sure about large RVs. However it is perfect for smaller setups. If you venture here, just watch for the weather conditions."
Dump station access: Plan ahead for sanitation needs. A visitor to Lake Gogebic County Park shares: "The RV dump station is right next to the flush bathroom building," providing convenient service for those with longer stays in the region.
