Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Garden? Find the best information on tent camping near Garden, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Garden campsites are perfect for tent campers.
Newport's wilderness experience offers over 2,300 acres of forest on 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 30 miles of hiking trails, and backpack camping as a quiet alternative to bustling Door County. At the far end of the Door Peninsula, Newport is also designated as a Dark Sky Park, a perfect destination for stargazing.
Newport State Park offers rustic, backpack camping for visitors. Camping is allowed in designated campsites only.
Newport has 17 backpack (hike-in) campsites, including one group site. All sites can be reserved. Campers must hike or bike in all gear and supplies. There are no carts available at the park. There are a few amenities at the sites, including a pit toilet, fire ring with flip-up grill, a lock box for food and a bench or two. Water is available at the park office or at a solar pump near the picnic shelter by Lot 3 (seasonally). There are no shower facilities at the park. All garbage must be carried out of all campsites.
$20 / night
Haymeadow Creek Campground is located approximately 11 miles from Rapid River. There are 5 medium size campsites, some with tables and fire rings and a vault toilet is available. No water is available at this site even though the map shows drinking water. Please be sure to pack out what you pack in, as there are no trash receptacles. Haymeadow Creek is a high quality trout stream. Anglers will be challenged to catch the wary brook trout. The well-marked Haymeadow Creek Trail from the campground takes you along a winding path, across small bridges, through a heavily forested area lined with many varieties of ferns and wild plants. The trail of approximately 1 mile leads you along the creek to a footbridge at the Haymeadow Falls rapids. A short 1/2 mile spur near the north trailhead connects you to the 40 mile Bay de Noc Grand Island National Recreation Trail, which is used for hiking and horseback riding.Link to Campground Map.
The Indian River Campground is situated on a bluff overlooking the Indian River. There is a short trail leading down to the river. The campground is near the halfway point on the Indian River Canoe Trail, and is a convenient overnight stop for canoeists. Link to Campground Map
There are many campsites on the Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest. Many are located on inland lakes and are in a rustic forest environment with few to no amenities and no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience. All of these sites are nestled in hardwood trees and pines. All of them are on small inland lakes, which offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities.
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these dispersed campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Bruno's Run Hiking Trail weaves throughout the Ewing Point area, offering 9 miles of adventure for hikers. The trail is accessible at various locations, two of which are near the Ewing Point parking area. One section of the trail leads to Grassy Lake, while the other heads along the southeastern portion of McKeever Lake.McKeever Lake offers great fishing for musky, pike, bass and pan fish, and there is boat access in the parking area. Boats must be carried to the site by hand or through the water. Because the water is quite shallow, large boats are not recommended.
Ewing Point is a beautiful walk-in campsite located on the north side of the 132-acre McKeever Lake. The grassy site is 50 ft x 75 ft, surrounded by hemlock and cedar.
For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information.
$8 / night
Grand Island is located in Lake Superior, about one-half mile from the mainland community of Munising, Michigan. Munising is about 43 miles from Marquette and 55 miles from Manistique. Grand Island is the perfect place to spend a day or even just a few hours biking and exploring. The island's breathtaking overlooks, pristine sandy beaches, fascinating cultural sites, deep hard woods, and inland lakes make it an exciting and secluded destination.
Swimming - The lake bottom is sandy, with small rocks, or solid rock depending on what site you choose. Lake Superior can be cold with average high temperatures reaching only the high 60s (degrees Fahrenheit). Be cautious when swimming because this area has not been checked for possible hazards. Please remember, you swim at your own risk. Hiking/biking - Over 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails provide wonderful opportunities for day-trips and give access via unsurfaced trails to some of the Island's most spectacular scenery. Fishing and Hunting - Lake Superior has Coho salmon, lake trout, perch, pike, walleye, and rock bass. Game species on the island include deer, bear, rabbit, grouse, and ducks. A Michigan fishing, hunting and/or trapping license is required. (See the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fishing Guide for license information and special regulations for Echo and Duck Lakes.) Boat Access - There are a number of sand beaches where a boat could pull up to shore. Murray Bay, Trout Bay and North Light Creek areas have the largest sand beaches with little to no rock obstructions. There are several areas around the perimeter of the island where kayakers can gain access. Be aware that there are very few locations on the northwest and northeast sides that are not cliff. There is no boat launch or public dock facility on Grand Island. Personal watercraft (SeaDoo/Jet Ski) are not allowed on the shores of Grand Island. The dock at Williams Landing can be used for loading and unloading only. Boats may not park at the dock.
Swimming - The lake bottom is sandy, with small rocks, or solid rock depending on what site you choose. Lake Superior can be cold with average high temperatures reaching only the high 60s (degrees Fahrenheit). Be cautious when swimming because this area has not been checked for possible hazards. Please remember, you swim at your own risk. Hiking/biking - Over 30 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails provide wonderful opportunities for day-trips and give access via unsurfaced trails to some of the Island's most spectacular scenery. Fishing and Hunting - Lake Superior has Coho salmon, lake trout, perch, pike, walleye, and rock bass. Game species on the island include deer, bear, rabbit, grouse, and ducks. A Michigan fishing, hunting and/or trapping license is required. (See the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fishing Guide for license information and special regulations for Echo and Duck Lakes.) Boat Access - There are a number of sand beaches where a boat could pull up to shore. Murray Bay, Trout Bay and North Light Creek areas have the largest sand beaches with little to no rock obstructions. There are several areas around the perimeter of the island where kayakers can gain access. Be aware that there are very few locations on the northwest and northeast sides that are not cliff. There is no boat launch or public dock facility on Grand Island. Personal watercraft (SeaDoo/Jet Ski) are not allowed on the shores of Grand Island. The dock at Williams Landing can be used for loading and unloading only. Boats may not park at the dock.
Grand Island, a Congressionally designated National Recreation Area (NRA), boasts massive 300-foot wave-cut sandstone cliffs; 13,500 acres of lush forest; beaches of fine sand; winter ice caves; and historic buildings and artifacts dating back as far as 2,000 BC, to name just a few of its highlights! The island's scenic natural beauty and interesting history make it an attractive place for camping and other outdoor activities.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Hiawatha National Forest, and the City of Munising are all in the area. The Munising area provides a variety of restaurants, hotels, camping opportunities, and outfitters. Local outfitters provide guided and self-guided kayak, canoe, pontoon, and mountain bike rentals.
$10 / night
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
Corner Lake is a 100 acre lake that offers camping, fishing, boating, and a small swimming area for young children. Link to Campground Map
There are many campsites on the Munising and Rapid River/Manistique Ranger Districts of the Hiawatha National Forest. Many are located on inland lakes and are in a rustic forest environment with few to no amenities and no drinking water. The rustic environment offers a wonderfully serene and peaceful setting for your next camping experience. All of these sites are nestled in hardwood trees and pines. All of them are on small inland lakes, which offer a wide variety of fishing opportunities.
Visitors will be able to enjoy swimming, berry picking, and fishing at these campsites. Licenses are required for fishing in Michigan waters. Our management efforts seek to provide for quiet, peacfeul recreation opportunities in a semi-primitive setting. Lake Ninteen campsite can be accessed by boat, by foot or by horseback from the Pine Marten Run Trail.__This site is located approximately 2.5 miles away form the Pine Marten Run Middle Trailhead. Unfortunately, the swimming area at this site is of poor condition. Lake Nineteen has been stocked with rainbow trout. The boat access to Lake Nineteen is steep, but the road is firm. There is no turn-around at the base of the hill; trailers must be backed down to the lake. Parking is restricted to a small area located at the top of the hill.
Like it's neighbor Ironjaw Lake to the west, Lake Nineteen is located in the heart of the Ironjaw Semi-Primitive Area, which is managed for both motorized and non-motorized uses. Our management efforts seek to provide for quiet, peacfeul recreation opportunities in a semi-primitive setting. The Lake Nineteen campsite is located on the eastern shore of Lake Nineteen.
For local information, please call (906) 474-6442 or call (906) 387-2512 for general information.
There are a number of horse, bike, and hiking trails within minutes of several of the sites. In over a mile from these campsites, visitors can expect to find: bait shops, general and grocery stores, gas, a pay phone, trailheads, a fishing pier, biking, and kayak/canoe rentals. Groceries, gasoline, fishing and camping supplies, boat rentals, ice, MDNR, licenses, deli, and restaurants are available on Forest Highway 13, approximately six miles to the west and north.
$8 / night
Ranger
Nice tent site with a lovely view of the lake. The beach area is nice for wading, but the water was a little chilly in June. The bathrooms are clean and the showers are free! The people at the front desk are friendly and helpful.
The only reason it is not 5 stars is because the tent sites were just lined up in a field. It wasn't bad, but made it a little less comfortable.
Ranger
Hike/bike in tent camping along the lake shore of Lake Michigan. Beautiful natural beaches with multiple parking areas for even just a day trip. The Door County Peninsula is full of activities and neat little shops/boutiques nearby. This is also a dark sky area with gatherings during lunar events without light pollution.
GuideOn a last minute camping trip to Michigan, we were looking for places that didn't require reservations, so I felt very lucky and happy to find tent sites available at this campground on a Sunday afternoon. Nearly every spot for RV camping was occupied. Of the eight or so tent sites available, only two were occupied.
We were given our choice of tent site and settled on site 5 because it was the furthest from all other sites. The grass was solid enough to drive our car across, but there were several questionable spots of swamp we had to be careful to avoid. Site 5 sits next to the playground, which looks like it hasn't been maintained in years. The foliage around the lake was too tall for us to be able to see the lake from our tent and too thick, plus the swampiness of the land, to be able to walk through to access the lake.
A nearby boardwalk was damaged and blocked off to foot traffic. The paved drive within the camp site was where everyone seemed to be spending their time, riding bicycles or roller bladeing in circles.
Four or five showers are available on site, with separate flush toilets for men and women. Firewood was available for purchase, as well as ice and vending machines.
The showers were great to have. However, with no easy access to the lake, not much of a view, being very crowded and catered towards RVers, I would only stay here again if I had no other options, as a tent camper.
Scout
It was a clean, busy park. We had a nice shaded site along the woods great for tent camping. The bathrooms are kept up nicely, the only downfall of the trip was the rain and our leaky tent!!
Guide
Enjoyed the campground. The site was clean and just enough privacy from the other sites. Only one complaint was there was no designated tent vs RV sites. Generator for two days and nights was not what we were looking for being in tent camping.
Traveler
Went on a week long trip through the U.P. This was our first stop coming from Detroit. We had a tent site. Showers and bathrooms were clean. Was about 5 minutes outside Munising. Great place to stay if your planning on visiting pictured rocks. It’s right on the lake too with boat rentals if you just want to hang around your campsite. Friendly staff. Laundry facilities. Only thing we didn’t care for was tent sites were kinda right on top of each other. But had larger sites for RVs and electric hook ups. Again just stayed for the one night to jump to the porcupine mountains.
Traveler
This was one of the most beautiful campground tent sites ever. We had forget-me-nots on our site it was big enough for our extra large tent and we had the sound of frogs to serenade us at night.
GuideThis campground is more for families. There are RV sites and tent sites. Laundry is available as well as as all store. The management is wonderful, friendly, and the showers always have hot water.
Scout
While this is a full amenities campground, one end was mostly reserved for tent camping with well spaced sites which were backed up by the woods. We felt right at home in our tent, and the campground was exceptionally well maintained and the atmosphere was calm and pleasant. While not totally rustic our end was well suited for the quieter more laid back tenting enthusiasts
Scout
My wife and I have tent camped here multiple times and love it. We typically go mid to late September and there are very few other campers. We love the quite peacefulness. The lake is great for a relaxing canoe or kayak. We talk about going back every time we go camping.
Ranger
Friendly staff, gorgeous sunsets from Lake Superior's shore, water + electric sites, dump station, hot showers. There are some tent sites along the shore that look amazing. Next time we'll be paddling to Grand Island. We stayed at the end of September.
GuideThe customer service at this campground is impeccable. Bathrooms are always amazingly clean. Small camp store has all the basics. Playground for kids. Campsite was very clean. Tent sites have lots of mosquitoes, so be prepared. Cabins and yurts also available to rent. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
GuideI have stayed in this campground twice now and have loved it both times. The campground staff is super friendly. Location is beautiful. Bathrooms are great and always clean. Mosquitoes can be annoying in the more secluded tent sites. Get up in the middle of the night, the stars are amazing here! I will keep coming back here.
TravelerNice RV park but just not our cup of tea. Sites are really open to one another although the lakefront sites have great beach access to Lake Superior. Even at the “rustic tent sites”, you will see your neighbor clearly. Bathrooms and showers were clean, friendly staff. Just wish there were more trees or sites were spread out more
Guide
This probably was one of the cleanest campgrounds we ever went to. They have everything from full hookups to rustic tent sites. Each site has a huge permanent firepit. RV lots are large and private, Lots of trees and there is a constant breezy that comes off of Lake Michigan. The only downfall is, it's more expensive than your typical campground. $40 - $60 range for the RV sites. Although $60 dollars, you can get your own private beach front lot. Bathrooms and Laundry room are super clean. You also get cable. Restaurants, shopping and a brewery are all within walking distance
ScoutJust needed a nice campsite for one night after traveling from Traverse City headed to Marquette. Made a reservation and booked a lake view site. The campground was really clean and the people were really friendly who worked there. They were dog friendly and everyone camping around us were really friendly as well. We were tent camping and there was plenty of space for more than 3 tents. We would definitely recommend this for family's as well as people like us just passing through. Great lake view and 10 minutes away from Kitch-iti-ipi "big springs".
Traveler
Bay Furnace Campground in the Hiawatha National Forest is what you expect from a NF campground. Sites are very secluded in a well wooded area with a few sites right on the Lake Superior shore with a view of Grand Island. Most sites are very level and good for tent camping. Non-electric sites gives the campground a rustic feel. The shoreline is excellent for walking the beach and looking at the beautiful washed stones, but there are no sanding areas to swim (if you could even brave the cold water).
ScoutYou don't mind fireworks all the time and compressed camping with the people that use it for partying all night. There's pedophiles and meth cooks that take over part the grounds for a majority of the summer because it's free to camp. So BE MINDFUL OF YOUR CHILDREN (reason for the review)! You'll definitely get what you pay for in the upper peninsula and if you don't pay you'll hang out in a gypsy camp most likely. Tent camping is a bad idea (too noisy all hours). Otherwise when it's not like that there's decent fishing and water sports to do. If it's empty it's very nice.
ScoutThee best camp ground ive been too to date!! The bathrooms are AMAZING compared to others, everything is new and well maintained. Theres a park, game room, adult lounge, amazing trails and all breed of dogs are welcomed! They have a dish washing area by the bathrooms and they make sure soap and cleaning supplies are there to use. We tent camped the first night but then a Yurt came up and we snagged that for the next 2 nights with the kiddos. Its fall so its wet out but the beauty of the surrounding area is something to enjoy while not at camp.
Guide
Spent one night here with my dog. I was looking for a place to unplug and I sure got what I was looking for. Have to admit I was a bit out of my element for tent camping at this location. There were others camping at this site with RVs, a boat and off road vehicles. They were more prepared for the wilderness! They told me about a pack of wolves roaming around and how they would snatch up my pup if given the opportunity and my girl had a growl off with something in the woods that night. Might have been a wolf! Mosquitos were crazy and there were some giant turtles that seemed to be taking over the whole area. Beautiful view of the big lake.
Ranger
We only stayed here one night but the kids had a lot of fun, they have a lot of outdoor toys. There were kids everywhere.
Outhouse and showers were clean
Electric hook up
Filled water at dump station We stayed in site 10 it was quiet and away from the core of the noise
Friendly staff Seasonals were a little wild and loud, I like to have fun so it didn’t bother me much but they didn’t always watch the kids, only complaint.
6 minutes back into the town near the River is a little gas station / general store —- best Pasties!
Cabins available Rustic tent sites available
$48 after tax site 10 electric travel trailer site.
Scout
Rustic, well pump water, vaulted toilets. There are 23 campsite all within close walking distance to the water, bug spray is a must.
We have camped here for 7 years and look forward to coming back each year. We do camp on non-holiday weekends to avoid crowds. This camp ground is always fairly empty. In seven years we have seen maybe a total of 9 other sites occupied.
There are hiking trails that have some beautiful scenery (bring bug spray) and a beach front that is just amazing. Depending on the water level there is plenty of beach and great for a day in the water.
Perfect place for tent camping but it can also accommodated small to medium RV/campers.
This place is great for relaxation and getting in touch with nature.
Scout
Went here on July the 4th weekend. Because another site I had booked fell through after arriving. Nice spacious sites and relatively quiet. It’s mostly geared towards R.V. Campers though. You can tent camp if you want. But be warned of the R.V. Campers and generators. First two nights my girlfriend and I stayed. Everything was good. Then came the guy with the trailer next door. Nice trailer but crappy jobsite type generator. Definitely not what you want for a campsite. The first day we figured he was just using it to setup. The second day he ran the generator and was nowhere to be seen until 10 at night. He shut it off just before the campsite host showed up. But the camper himself was nowhere to be seen. Overall it’s nice and you do hear some traffic from across the bay. Not overwhelming though.
RangerWonderful experience at this campground! We had site 45 which is right on the water with a small lighthouse in the background. The breeze off the water kept us cool. I wish we would have had more time at this campsite it was clean and the employees were very friendly. The bathhouse was very clean and centrally located so easy to walk too. The hook ups looked new and we’re on poles that lite up at night for easy use.
The playground is towards the front of the campground, our kids enjoyed playing on it. There is a public access area near by that shared the park access.
We will go back for sure! Kitch iti kipi was a short 15-20 minute drive, they open at 8am if you get there at 8 there was not a line.
They offer tent camping spots as well. WiFi was good and cell service Sprint was good.
ScoutThere are only a handuful of sites on this lake and the sites are all one right next to each other. NO hookups, large handicap accessible privy, large and well maintained fire rings. There is a hand water pump but since this is such a rustic setup, I wouldn't trust it to be potable without treating or filtering it first. Sites were very pretty, pull in sites. Small camper or trailer could probably fit. I tent camped so it was no problem. Sites are right on the water so you can swim right from your campsite. The couple next to me launched their canoe for an evening paddle. Didn't see much wildlife except for a pair of pigeons and assorted chipmunks and squirrels. Very special falling asleep to the loons on the lake. I would have given it 5 stars if the sites had been further apart. However, the other campers were very quiet and respectful of each other.
LegendGeneral: Pride of ownership is evident throughout the campground and there are many different types of accommodations: tent, electric and water, (including some classified as prime), full hook-up, cabins, and yurts. There are also seasonal sites and travel trailer rentals. This campground was as busy as I would expect for Door County in the summer. We checked in at the well-staffed office (open until 9 pm) at which time our site was assigned.
Site Quality/Facilities: Since there are so many different kinds of sites, they vary greatly. Our non-hookup site (#104) had an L-shaped driveway which was just a bit awkward to back our campervan into but not impossible. This site would not have been suitable for a large RV. Some of the tent sites in this loop (#111-113) were called “hideaway” tent sites as they had very long driveways and more privacy. Many of the sites are wooded and there is varying separation between sites but more than adequate. The premium sites have the most privacy and many of these have no one behind them.
Bathhouse: There are two bathhouses, and each is closed for a two-hour period each day. They were immaculate (possibly the cleanest campground bathrooms I have ever seen!). The shower, while a bit on the small side, had nice hot water and plenty of hooks to hang clothes and toiletries. They were clean.
Activities/Amenities: The campground itself has much to offer: playground, recreation area with volleyball net, laundry, dishwashing station, fish cleaning station, recreation room with pool table and arcade games, lounge with fireplace, couches, and books, a camp store, and doggie stations. A couple of hiking trails lead from the campground, including one to Grandma’s Swedish Bakery (highly recommend at least one visit). Nearby kayak and SUP rentals. There is much to do in Door County for active and less active pursuits; this campground is located on the quiet side of the peninsula, but it does not take long to drive to other activities.
This is not our typical type of campground. We used to live within two hours of the northern part of the Door Peninsula, so we only took day trips here; camping here is new to us but we are enjoying exploring many different options.
GuidePositioned at a good distance from the town of Munising, meaning far enough so you feel disconnected, but still close enough to were you can quickly reach the town, this campground is easily one of the best in the area and one of my favorites. Complete with entities such as showers, this campground overlooks Grand Island and various other smaller islands, resting in Lake Superior, it really makes you feel like you are in a movie. One of the hidden gems of this campground is the rustic tent sites, which allow you to camp on the beach, have fires on the beach under the stars, and wake up to the sound of gently crashing waves. It also is a good size campground, creating the family neighborhood atmosphere and with the way it is designed and the view it gives, it helps make connect with nature and fellow campers in a cool way. If you want to explore Pictured Rocks, and camping is your thing, this is the place to go.
Tent camping near Garden, Michigan offers a blend of serene natural beauty and outdoor adventure, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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