SUMMER SALE 50% off The Dyrt PRO — just $2.49/moGet now
SALE: PRO just $2.49/mo

Camping near Gulliver, MI

158 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates
    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Gulliver, Michigan serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences along Lake Michigan's northern shoreline. Merwin Creek State Forest Campground, located directly in Gulliver, provides year-round primitive camping with boat-in access and basic amenities like drinking water and vault toilets. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access more developed options such as Manistique Lakeshore Campground with full hookups and modern facilities, or Indian Lake State Park with its family-friendly amenities. The camping landscape ranges from rustic state forest sites to RV resorts with cement pads, creating options for wilderness seekers and comfort campers alike.

    Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping in the Upper Peninsula region. Most campgrounds operate from May through October, though some state forest sites remain open year-round. Road access varies considerably, with paved routes to larger facilities and rougher forest roads leading to more remote locations. Cell service fluctuates throughout the area, with stronger signals near Manistique and spotty coverage in forested areas. As one camper noted about nearby Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground, "Our campsite was on the lake side and it was perfect. Plenty of shade and shelter. Access to the lake is great. Mosquitos are thick so bring your bug spray." Insect protection is essential, particularly during spring and early summer months.

    Lakefront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from visitors to the region. Many campgrounds feature direct access to Lake Michigan or smaller inland lakes, with waterfront sites typically filling first. A visitor to Manistique Lakeshore Campground reported, "Large, private cement pad sites. Spotlessly clean. Full hookups. Bath and laundry facilities are some of the nicest I have ever seen." Highway noise can be noticeable at some locations, particularly those along US-2, though lakeside sites often provide better sound buffering. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting deer, turkey, and even porcupine encounters. The area serves as a convenient base for exploring attractions like Kitch-Iti-Kipi (Big Springs) and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, both within reasonable driving distance.

    Connectivity Maps

    Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
    Map showing cell service coverage and campground pins
    Try Connectivity Maps

    Best Campgrounds near Gulliver (158)

      1. Manistique Lakeshore Campground

      4.8(22)12mi from GulliverRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $36 - $85 / night

      Check Availability

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

      4.8(16)16mi from Gulliver147 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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."

      from $35 - $80 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Merwin Creek State Forest Campground

      4.2(5)6mi from GulliverRVs, Tents

      "This campground is 15 minutes away from Manistique but feels quite remote. Campsites are in a couple loops. The first one seems set up for multiple family or friend campers."

      from $15 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Kewadin Casino Manistique

      4.3(4)7mi from GulliverRVs, Tents

      "We made a quick stop on our way back to Wisconsin, part along the back of the lot, there were several RVs and a large truck close to us. We felt very relaxed and safe."

      "Close to the cute town of St Ignace, so this would make a good place to stay when exploring the area. No charm or pleasantness about this place, and the power sites are just really close together."

      5. Big Knob State Forest Campground

      4.6(12)20mi from GulliverRVs, Tents

      "Rustic campground along the shores of Lake Michigan. 23 sites. Hand pump for water available. Beautiful spot on Lake Michigan with no signs of life for miles down the beach. Pets are welcome."

      "Sites are a little small, and are moderately close to other sites. heavily wooded makes it feel cozy. Some sites have "private" trails to the beach, approximately 50-75yrds away."

      6. Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground

      4.3(3)12mi from GulliverRVs, Tents

      "Our campsite was on the lake side and it was perfect. Plenty of shade and shelter. Access to the lake is great. We walked out in knee deep water and played frisbee and watched the sunset."

      "Lovely inland lakeside sites. This is a large all sports lake and the campground has a boat launch. Some sites where uneven and hilly and may be a challenge for a large RV."

      from $13 / night

      Check Availability

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

      4.0(7)17mi from Gulliver72 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $30 / night

      Check Availability

      8. Indian Lake RV Resort and Campground

      4.5(6)17mi from Gulliver2 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $24 - $50 / night

      Check Availability

      9. Northland Outfitters

      4.8(6)19mi from Gulliver13 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Despite being close to the road, Northland Outfitters is a quiet, peaceful little campground. With aonly 14 camping sites and 4 cabins, it is small. "

      "Social distancing had some sinks and urinals turned off. Seemed super clean. 4-6 tent only spots are in pretty good shade. All sites had at least water and electricity."

      10. Jack Pine Lodge and Campground

      4.8(9)21mi from GulliverRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "I have absolutely nothing but positive things to say. I am more one to frequent rustic and secluded campgrounds."

      "This campground is very close to trailhead. Well maintained, decent wifi. Don't expect any Verizon cell coverage here. Sites are nice and large, staff is friendly and the bar has good food"

      from $33 - $55 / night

      Check Availability

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time


    Recent Reviews near Gulliver, MI

    742 Reviews of 158 Gulliver Campgrounds


    • rThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 30, 2026

      Manistique Lakeshore Campground

      Excellent spot on the beach!

      The Manistique city campground is a very nice spot among US highway 2. It was completely update around 2018. We snagged a spot right next to the beach (Site 24, probably the best spot in the park).

      It’s a full service campground and everything is really very nice here. Highly recommend. There can be some traffic noise from US-2 but nothing too bothersome. We really like this spot especially when we are not boondocking.

      They had no issue with plugging in our EV.

    • Heather B.
      Jul. 30, 2026

      Woodland Park Campground

      Favorite campground

      We come every year with friends and always have a great time.

    • Heather B.
      Jul. 30, 2026

      Trout Lake Campground

      Large sites

      First time here, sites are so big! Lake was great, showers/bathrooms clean, kids loved the little playground. Only problem was the mosquitos! They came out as soon as the sun went down and ate us alive. Will come again with better bug repellent

    • CThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 30, 2026

      Colwell Lake Campground

      Colwell CG site #24

      Beautiful location right up on the lake, walking trail with a boat ramp. Camp site is very spacious.

    • rThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 25, 2026

      Woodstar Beach

      Right on the beach

      This was an older, family run campground. It could use some updates, but was clean and had firewood available. The site we got was right next to the beach. You are looking directly east, so sunrises should be beautiful. We slept in so didn’t see it ourselves.

      Sites are good sized, but close together. If you don’t mind closeness and like the beach, it’s a cute spot to camp at.

    • Sally T.The Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 21, 2026

      Flowing Well Campground

      Small and Functional

      Very small. Six sites with picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, and level. One pit toilet. Some reservable on recreation.gov. Check availability before choosing a first come first served site! $26 is a lot for this small place.

    • Roxy Bob R.
      Jul. 17, 2026

      Fayette State Park Campground

      Not Happy

      We've stayed here before and had a great time. This time was totally different. We have a 30 ft class c motorhome. this site was way to small for our unit. This site has a few trees with low hanging branches that you need to park between. the camp sites are very small and close together so that was the only way to park. Our firepit was full of garbage and so close to our unit that I would be afraid to use it. It was 90 degrees and we only had 110volts so we could only run our ac and our 12volt lights. We left early because we were afraid we would burn out our ac. so we don't recommend site 15.

    • Shayla C.
      Jul. 15, 2026

      Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA

      Decent campground

      Campground staff is friendly, sites are nice and shades, pool is a nice amenity. I do think the showers could use a bit of an updating. The water pressue was almost non existent. Otherwise, a good campground.

    • rThe Dyrt Pro User
      Jul. 13, 2026

      Big Knob State Forest Campground

      Secluded sites, some with direct beach access

      We were here during the second week of July, and there were only two other campers our first night. We got spot 7, which has lots of shade and direct beach access. The beach is very nice.

      There are pit toilets and a single community well which is old-fashion hand pump. Its water spigot has no threads for attaching a hose.

      There are bugs, but not too bad for the UP this year.

      Very nice! Would come again!


    Guide to Gulliver

    Camping areas near Gulliver, Michigan range from secluded forest campgrounds to lakeside facilities with modern amenities. Located in the Upper Peninsula at approximately 730 feet elevation, the region features mixed hardwood forests alongside Lake Michigan shoreline. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, with summer averages in the mid-70s F and high humidity during July and August.

    What to do

    Kayaking on Manistique River: Launch directly from Northland Outfitters for paddling adventures. "We canoed and our son kayaked the Manistique River. Shuttled up and paddled back to campground. About 3 1/2 hour trip. It was serene on the river," reports Janet V. The outfitter provides shuttle service for trips using personal watercraft.

    Explore Kitch-iti-kipi Springs: Located within 10 minutes of Indian Lake State Park West Campground, this natural spring offers remarkable clarity. "It is not far from Kitch-Iti-Kipi, a clear spring that you can see to the bottom of. We did not get to go, but heard it is an incredible place," notes Emily M. The spring features a self-operated observation raft.

    Beach access at Big Knob: Follow trails from campsite to secluded Lake Michigan shoreline. "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," explains Donna F. Sites 3-7 have direct path access to the beach, with minimal development.

    What campers like

    Spacious lakeside sites: Indian Lake State Park South Campground offers large campsites with direct lake access. "The sites were very large! There are three bath houses and a pavilion. The water is so nice! We used the boat launch and had no issues at all," shares Stephanie C. Sites include electrical hookups and fire rings.

    Clean facilities: Modern bathrooms consistently receive positive reviews. "Manistique Lakeshore Campground is a beautiful Campground with sites a few feet or a few yards from Lake Michigan. Fantastic south facing views," notes Dennis A. Bathroom facilities are particularly praised for their maintenance level.

    Quiet camping options: Less-crowded alternatives exist for those seeking solitude. "After camping at the south shore for a night (way to many people for me personally) I went to the West campground. It's very quiet this week," reports Becky S. Many forest campgrounds receive minimal use even during peak season.

    What you should know

    Bug protection essential: Black flies, mosquitoes and other insects are prevalent. At Big Knob State Forest Campground, "There are 23 sites all within close walking distance to the water, bug spray is a must." Donna F. adds, "We have camped here for 7 years and look forward to coming back each year." Insects are most problematic in early summer.

    Road conditions vary: Access to more remote sites requires preparation. "It takes about 20 minutes from the main road to the campground, and the road is gravel with some pot holes," notes Angelica S. about Big Knob. Some campgrounds require lengthy drives on unpaved roads.

    Water considerations: Quality varies by location. "I do not recommend drinking the water from this campground as it was yellow in color. Still, it was a cheap place to stay the night. For only $15/night, it is more than sufficient," advises Emily M. regarding Milakokia Lake.

    Tips for camping with families

    Shallow swimming areas: Indian Lake RV Resort and Campground provides safe water access. "Really nice employees. Cleanest campsite bathroom I've been in. Our site looked right over Indian Lake," reports Kelly C. The shallow waters warm quickly in summer months.

    Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. At Northland Outfitters, visitors note "Swingset and covered sandbox for kids. Volleyball net." Activities for various age groups help keep children entertained.

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening offer best viewing times. "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," recommends Donna F. Common sightings include deer, turkey, and waterfowl.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection for larger rigs: Jack Pine Lodge and Campground accommodates larger vehicles. "Jack's Pine Lodge was an amazing neat little campground. They only have about two or three dozen sites but all are full hook ups and the location is amazing too," shares Simone N. Some campgrounds trim trees to create space for larger RVs.

    Full hookup availability: Modern facilities are concentrated in specific locations. "Most sites have water/sewage and 30 or 50amp service," notes Erika P. Dump stations are limited throughout the region, making full-hookup sites valuable for extended stays.

    Seasonal flooding awareness: Weather patterns affect site conditions. "The water has been high this summer as we have witnessed several other campgrounds with flooding. This one was not immune as they had several with sitting water but most were just fine. I would maybe call in advance for sure recommendations," advises Marc W.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Where can I find camping in Gulliver, Michigan?

    Gulliver offers several camping options within a short drive. Little Bay De Noc provides Lake Michigan access with a pier, playground, and group fire pit. Though it has just a few sites, it's a great basecamp for exploring the area. Another excellent option is Merwin Creek State Forest Campground near Gulliver, offering a more rustic experience with basic amenities like water and toilets. For additional options, the nearby towns of Manistique and St. Ignace offer several campgrounds along Lake Michigan, all within a reasonable drive from Gulliver.

    What outdoor activities can I enjoy while camping in Gulliver, Michigan?

    The Gulliver area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Water activities dominate, with Indian Lake State Park South Campground providing access to both Indian Lake and being just minutes from Lake Michigan. Kayaking, swimming, and fishing are popular in these waters. Brevoort Lake Campground offers excellent lakeside sites for water enthusiasts. The region also features extensive hiking trails and both motorized and non-motorized off-road trails. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is about an hour away, making for a perfect day trip. For a unique natural attraction, Kitchitikipi (Big Springs) is just a short drive and offers fascinating views of the crystal-clear spring.

    What amenities are available at campgrounds in Gulliver, MI?

    Campgrounds near Gulliver offer varying levels of amenities. Manistique Lakeshore Campground provides full hookups, spotlessly clean facilities, cement pad sites, and modern bath and laundry facilities. For a more rustic experience, Hog Island Point State Forest Campground offers clean outhouses, water pumps, and well-spaced primitive sites with no electricity. Most state forest campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities including pit toilets and hand pumps for water. If you need more extensive facilities, consider the campgrounds in nearby towns that offer modern restrooms, showers, and electrical hookups.