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Best Campgrounds near Garden, MI

578 Reviews

Garden, Michigan features several campground options along the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Portage Bay State Forest Campground provides primitive camping with sandy shoreline access and is located down a 7-mile dirt road for a secluded experience. Fayette State Park Campground combines camping with historic attractions, featuring the Fayette Historic Townsite within walking distance of the campsites. The area supports various accommodation types including tent sites, RV spaces with full hookups, and cabin rentals, primarily concentrated around Garden Bay and nearby lakes.

Access to campgrounds varies by season, with many sites operating from May through October or November. BayRidge RV Park and Fayette State Park offer full hookup services for RVs while forest campgrounds provide more rustic experiences with vault toilets and hand-pump water. "This campground is amazing. Secluded sites & a beautiful beach just behind each site. After Labor Day we were one of only 3 camping here," noted one visitor about Portage Bay. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly at remote sites like Portage Bay where campers report zero to one bar of service. The roads to some campgrounds become narrow and unpaved, requiring careful navigation especially for larger vehicles.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors to the Garden area. Lake Michigan access is a major draw, with many sites offering direct paths to beaches or shorelines. According to reviews, the Portage Bay campground provides "a beautiful setting near lake, fell asleep to waves on nearby shore." Campsites at Fayette State Park offer both history and natural beauty, with one visitor noting, "The historic site is awesome and the beach is beautiful. Great sunsets. Night skies were gorgeous." Privacy levels vary significantly between campgrounds, with Portage Bay offering more seclusion while others like Fayette have sites described as "very close to neighbors." Most campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and access to toilets, with the more developed sites adding electric hookups and modern shower facilities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Garden, Michigan (125)

    1. Portage Bay State Forest Campground

    11 Reviews
    Garden, MI
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 452-6227

    $15 / night

    "Nice small quiet camp ground on lake Michigan. Bring your own TP"

    "Secluded dense wooded area along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, which most sites have a trail leading to. I’ve camped here many times and I plan on to again in the future."

    2. Fayette State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Garden, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 644-2603

    "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."

    3. Indian Lake State Park South Campground — Indian Lake State Park

    16 Reviews
    Manistique, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 341-2355

    "Campground Review: Indian Lake State Park, South Shore, has become my favorite State Park in Michigan! This was my first visit, and I'm in love."

    "This is a great lakeside campsite just outside of Manistique. There is a main bathroom area with showers. Good shallow water to swim (and watch the beautiful sunset) but a little difficult to fish."

    4. BayRidge RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Garden, MI
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (906) 450-7125

    $30 - $45 / night

    "General: 41-site campground on a peninsula in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All sites are FHU, and no tents are allowed. The campground is open May-October. "

    "Beautiful views of lake Michigan. There is a restaurant there, but unfortunately it wasn't open. We were looking forward to trying it out. The campground also has spots to dock your boat."

    5. Manistique Lakeshore Campground

    18 Reviews
    Manistique, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 286-1696

    $36 - $85 / night

    "On Lake Michigan. Large, private cement pad sites. Spotlessly clean. Full hookups. Bath and laundry facilities are some of the nicest I have ever seen. Staff is friendly and welcoming."

    "It is perfectly located on Lake Michigan and easy access from highway 2. There is laundry, shower, and bathrooms for your convenience. Plus nice fire pits at each site and a playground."

    6. Fayette Historic State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Garden, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 644-2603

    $25 - $29 / night

    "Great open sky site, next to the water. High winds, but local beach trail and historic town a short walk away with additional trails."

    "Sites do appear to be close to each other and might be tight during the summer."

    7. Indian Lake RV Resort and Campground

    5 Reviews
    Manistique, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 202-5472

    $24 - $50 / night

    "This is a cool little retro campground with full hookup sites and lake access. It's close to a bunch of the UP attractions and the rates are very reasonable."

    "Every site is close to the lake. We were there for 8 days and would stay there again. Didn’t use the bathrooms or the showers but they looked clean when I checked them out."

    8. Indian Lake State Park West Campground — Indian Lake State Park

    7 Reviews
    Manistique, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 341-2355

    "We stayed at site 72, which was nice and flat and a quick walk to the water and bathrooms.  Our site was so peaceful and we slept well. "

    "We first checked out the ‘South CG’ and although it was on the lake, it was waaay too crowded for us. So we moved on to the west shore CG and it was def more our style. Quiet and rustic."

    9. Camp Seven Lake Campground

    9 Reviews
    Nahma, MI
    20 miles
    Website

    $24 - $80 / night

    "There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.)"

    "P.S. it is really close to Kitch-Iti-Kipi! Go see these phenomenon; it is special. This campground has everything you need and is a good central location if you want to set it as your base."

    10. Upper Peninsula Golf & Lake Resort

    2 Reviews
    Nahma, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 644-2728
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Recent Camping Photos near Garden, MI

229 Photos of 125 Garden Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Garden, MI

578 Reviews of 125 Garden Campgrounds

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Manistique Lakeshore Campground

    Clean, well-kept campground

    The campground itself is very nice, with concrete pads and very clean. I'm only giving it lower stars for two reasons. First the "lake view" sites don't actually have a view of the lake unless you count being able to see between a few branches. Second, the beach is way too polluted to use. There must be a paper mill or some other wood processing plant near by because the beach and the water filled with ground up wood shavings piled in every direction. We brought our kayaks but there was no way you could go in the water. However, if you just ignore the lake, it is a very nice campground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

    Lighthouse hideaway

    This one was very cool. We had a great time. The “camp” spots are about 1 mile before the lighthouse and outhouse bathrooms. 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. We were the only ones who were there so we have the whole area to ourselves. I will also say it was nice to be able to hear the cars coming and going down the road.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping

    Easy to find

    Was slightly passed the pin marker on the same unlaced road - only about 1/4-1/2 off the highway. Sites are fairly spacious but don’t have any of the hookups or amenities mentioned on the site profile - some do have rudimentary fire pits though. There are 3 sites in total. Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp. Camp in early September, bugs were minimal. At times the night was eerily silent, at other times I heard dirt bikes and tractor trailers in the distance, also heard a pack of coyotes at one point and pretty sure I heard some sort of padfooted animal walk by my site once or twice.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Washington Island Campground

    Must stay!!

    This was our second stay. Stayed on site 70 both times. We had a 35’ trailer last year and 42’ fifth wheel this year. The ferry ride was easy to navigate and when we arrived we were able to just drive right on. Even with our 13’2” clearance they easily accommodated us. Campground check in was easy and smooth, owners were friendly and gave us tips for navigating into our site with a big rig. Overall it’s very quiet and relaxing on the island with plenty of nature things to do. Visit School House Beach (don’t take the rocks!), the lavender farm and for a few extra bucks have seafood at Sailors Pub on the water. We will definitely put this campground in our regular rotation of places to camp.

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 4, 2025

    J.W. Wells State Park Campground

    Beautiful and peaceful

    Really nice sites and you can see the water from most of them. Some sites were muddy but I think it was mostly from how busy it was over Labor Day. Facilities are clean and the camp hosts are so sweet (they have matching vests and serve coffee every morning). Really nice recreational activities (basketball, tetherball, horse shoes) and a trail leading to the picnic shelter and sandy swimming beach.

  • Raquel M.
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Au Train Lake Campground

    AuTrain Lake Campground

    Spent the 2025 camping season here as the campground host and it is fantastic. May/June quiet with only the sounds of eagles, bull frogs, mosquitoes, and black flies. Bring your bug spray and nets, fish from the small (donation) boat launch and enjoy a picnic/swimming at the day use area. July/Aug the bugs went away and summer was here and gone that fast. The water is beautiful and warmer than Lake Superior. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms. Peaceful campground.

  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Camp Seven Lake Campground

    Camp 7 Campground

    Relatively nice campground, was there over Labor Day weekend but used campsite as base and spent time in day trips to Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore & Sault St Marie. Camp ground was pretty full. The lake is accessible with a small beach and swimming section that many campers used. Sites are plenty big. Water shared between sites, fire ring, table & lamp post at each site. Good place to disconnect from devices because Internet & cell connectivity was nonexistent with Star Link & TMobile. We still enjoyed our 3 day stay.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    St. James Township Campground

    Incredibly quiet, relaxing spot

    I have camped at St James on Beaver Island numerous times, typically for 5-8 days. Beaver Island is a designated dark sky area and I’ve seen the aurora multiple times. My favorite thing to do is paddle my kayak out into the bay, anchor up, and sit for hours in the gentle waves reading a book.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA

    Great location central to Munising & Pictured Rocks

    Excellent location! Not a whole lot of full hook up sites available. Several out in the open right at the highway… back in the woods there is electric only. Peaceful campground but no cell service or starlink under the tree canopy. Fine for a night or two but plan accordingly if you need cell service.

Guide to Garden

Camping near Garden, Michigan, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful campgrounds and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to relax by the lake or explore hiking trails, there's something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Campers have enjoyed the beautiful surroundings, with one reviewer mentioning, "The campground is very clean and beautiful. It is perfectly located on Lake Michigan and easy access from highway 2."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near great fishing spots. One camper at Little Bay De Noc noted, "Could fish, swim or do boating from the site."
  • Beach Activities: Enjoy sandy beaches and swimming. A visitor at Indian Lake State Park said, "The beach was very nice with shallow, warm water."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Manistique Lakeshore Campground highlighted, "Bathroom facility was clean."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Many visitors enjoy the welcoming vibe. One camper at Jack Pine Lodge and Campground mentioned, "Clean and quiet camping, friendly workers."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers love having room to spread out. A reviewer at Camp Seven Lake Campground said, "Sites are nice and large. There was nice trees for the hammock."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell coverage. A camper at Portage Bay State Forest Campground noted, "There is zero cell service or plugs."
  • No Reservations at Some Sites: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Colwell Lake Campground mentioned, "Most of the campsites here need to be reserved."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Expect to see local wildlife. One camper at Rock Island State Park Campground shared, "We had lots of friends (deer, snakes, toads)!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Bring Entertainment: With limited cell service, pack games or books. A camper at Pete's Lake Campground said, "We love the quiet peacefulness."
  • Plan for Mosquitoes: Be ready with bug spray, especially in warmer months. A review for Colwell Lake Campground warned, "The mosquitos came in droves and were absolutely ravenous."
  • Check for Playground Facilities: Some campgrounds have playgrounds for kids. A visitor at Indian Lake State Park mentioned, "Great playground, beautiful beach and view of a lighthouse."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Manistique Lakeshore Campground noted, "Big rig friendly! Plenty of activities nearby!"
  • Bring Extra Power Cords: Some sites may not have enough outlets. A reviewer at Jack Pine Lodge and Campground mentioned, "Sites are nice and large, staff is friendly."
  • Use Dump Stations Nearby: If your campground doesn’t have a dump station, find one close by. A camper at Little Bay De Noc said, "No dump station but private campgrounds close and perhaps would let you dump for a fee."

Camping near Garden, Michigan, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Garden, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Garden, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 125 campgrounds and RV parks near Garden, MI and 16 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Garden, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Garden, MI is Portage Bay State Forest Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 11 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Garden, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Garden, MI.

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