Best Glamping near Gwinn, MI

Located on Au Train Lake, Superior Times offers a premium glamping experience with comfortable canvas accommodations and modern amenities for travelers exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The property features full electric hookups, drinking water access, and clean shower facilities alongside picnic tables and fire pits for evening relaxation. Guests can rent boats and jet skis directly from the resort to enjoy the lake, with rates starting at $60 per hour. Michigamme Shores Campground and Perkins Park & Campground provide additional glamping options in the region, with both offering yurt accommodations set against the backdrop of Michigan's pristine forests. One guest shared, "We really enjoyed our stay at Superior Times. The campground is on Au Train Lake and the campground offers jet skis, boats, and kayaks for rent."

These luxury camping destinations serve as ideal basecamps for exploring Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, located just a short drive from the Au Train area glamping sites. The canvas tent accommodations at Superior Times provide comfort while maintaining a connection to the surrounding natural environment, with several visitors noting the resort's family-friendly atmosphere. Van Riper State Park Campground, approximately 30 miles from Gwinn, offers year-round yurt accommodations with access to hiking trails and waterfront recreation. A recent visitor mentioned, "The owners are working to improve the resort and keep guests happy and have made several updates. We stayed in a cabin with a newly remodeled bathroom, which was very nice. The beds were comfortable and the bedding was nice too." Most glamping accommodations in the area require advance reservations, particularly during the peak summer season from May through September.

Best Glamping Sites Near Gwinn, Michigan (20)

    1. Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park

    7 Reviews
    Gwinn, MI
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (906) 250-1081

    "Easy access from town and close to post office, library, stores 1 mile away, hiking trails, trout stream, golf course 6 miles, swimming in river, 15 other lakes in a 10 mile radius."

    "This reservation only campground was well kept and close to amenities in Gwinn like their city park and diners."

    2. Little Lake State Forest Campground

    8 Reviews
    Gwinn, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 346-9201

    "The fire pits were really nice, too! Make sure to bring bug spray!"

    "The lake is very nice,clear water. The biggest complaint I have is it is noisy. There is a significant amount of rd noise and sometimes trains go by blasting the horn at the intersection."

    3. Van Riper State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Champion, MI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 339-4461

    $20 - $34 / night

    "Nice campground right on Lake Michigamme, variety of sites (tents, cabins, electric hook-ups), big clean beach, showers."

    "The bathrooms and showers and generally always nicely maintained as well, and there are plenty of both. The bathrooms do tend to run out of soap and toilet paper at busy times."

    4. Munising Tourist Park Campground

    49 Reviews
    Munising, MI
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 202-2694

    $29 - $45 / night

    "City run campground on lake superior. Beautiful views, sandy shore. Most sites have water and electricity, some have sewer hookup. Some walk in sites on the shoreline. We camped on site 5."

    "This is a busy campground right on Munising Bay on Lake Superior."

    5. Superior Times

    12 Reviews
    Au Train, MI
    29 miles
    Website

    $20 - $200 / night

    "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"

    "We opted for the rustic campground which still allowed access to the bathroom and showers, but was secluded from the cabin and RV area. The lake access was great! Warm water and good fishing."

    6. Michigamme Shores Campground

    6 Reviews
    Champion, MI
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 339-2116

    "Beautiful lake, great swimming area, secure, full hook ups. Very helpful we came in late night- they left reservation info in the mail box for us."

    "My family and I took a 3 week vacation to visit Michigan. We stayed at a few different campgrounds, and did lots of hiking."

    7. Perkins Park & Campground

    13 Reviews
    Big Bay, MI
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 345-9353

    "General spots: Varies from right up next to each other to odd shaped spaces that have extra room and trees.  Our site: 40."

    "On the shores of Independence Lake, just south of Lake Superior, sits this gorgeous, sparkling clean county park with a well-managed campground."

    8. Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA

    16 Reviews
    Wetmore, MI
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 387-3315

    "The staff at the office gave a helpful map that showed where the local waterfalls are at. There are a lot in the area! The campgrounds aren't anything special and the bathrooms are the nicest."

    "This location kept me coming back. The KOA now offers may different activities for kids too."

    9. Pioneer Trail Park & Campground

    10 Reviews
    Escanaba, MI
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 786-1020

    "Campsites are the usual mix of pull thrus and back-ins, rustic tent and water/electric. None of the sites have sewer but some have 20/30/50 amp electric with water and others are rustic tent sites. "

    "We booked a river site but changed to a basic water and electric and saved 5 bucks for a better site. The sites on the river are not well laid out and it's hard to tell where to set up."

    10. Haymeadow Creek NF Campground

    4 Reviews
    Trenary, MI
    34 miles
    Website

    "No service for TMobile or Verizon, but still a great secluded spot."

    "Even though this campground is a decent distance from the main road, the way out is paved. This was unexpected but there are plenty of unpacked side roads to explore."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 20 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Glamping Reviews near Gwinn, MI

195 Reviews of 20 Gwinn Campgrounds


  • Allison V.
    Aug. 15, 2017

    Colwell Lake Campground

    Perfect getaway

    We were looking for a campsite that we could drive up to, but we ended up going with a walk up campsite, thanks to the camp host. It couldn't have been more perfect. We got the closest site, which is not a long walk. It was totally private, with a little private entrance to the lake. Very peaceful. Not far from Munising.

  • Nikki P.
    Sep. 18, 2022

    Van Riper State Park Campground

    Well-maintained State Park

    Nice campground right on Lake Michigamme, variety of sites (tents, cabins, electric hook-ups), big clean beach, showers. AT&T was okay, ended up using it for internet over Starlink, which was spotty due to trees. Son had a good time skateboarding and using the playground. We've stayed twice now and likely will again. I did notice the AED was missing from the beach house/laundry area....otherwise it seems accessible.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA

    Close to pictured rocks and lots of waterfalls

    The staff at the office gave a helpful map that showed where the local waterfalls are at. There are a lot in the area! The campgrounds aren't anything special and the bathrooms are the nicest. I stayed in a kozy kabin for a night because my camping gear was wet from a storm the night before. Fire pits are provided and wood is for sale on site in the office as well as other necessities. Close to pictured rocks national lakeshore. Definitely go there!

  • S
    Jul. 21, 2021

    Van Riper State Park Campground

    Van Riper State Park

    We stayed at Van Riper State Park three times during June and July. The park is always clean and well-maintained. The bathrooms and showers and generally always nicely maintained as well, and there are plenty of both. The bathrooms do tend to run out of soap and toilet paper at busy times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach but also cannot be left unattended in your site. The rules are heavily enforced in this park. Park staff will ask you to move vehicles if you have more than two, and you will be asked to turn music completely off upon quiet hours. This is not the place to go if you want to party.

    Sites 15 and 17, as well as several other sites along that side of that loop, now have a wooden fence at the back of them, so they are not as large as they appear in the photos online.

    We have stayed in sites 14, 90 and 93. We travel with a 34’ trailer.

    Site 14 is narrow but manageable. It is well-shaded by large pine trees on the site. Site is entirely dirt. There are trees to hang hammocks or clotheslines in.

    Site 90 is on a corner by the propane tanks. It is a large site. It does have some roots and low spots. It is partial grass. It has nice shade and is adjacent to the bathrooms. There are trees to hang hammocks or clotheslines.

    Site 93 is a large site that backs up to a small grass/tree buffer. It is across the road from the bathrooms. It has nice shade. There is a place to hang a clothesline but not hammocks.

    Pros: Clean, well-maintained park

    Quiet

    Lots of playground equipment

    Bike/scooter pump track

    Excellent beach area

    Lots of green space

    Hiking trails

    Wood and ice available for purchase at the entrance

    Laundry is available; one washer and two dryers

    Very kid and pet friendly

    Cons: Park website has out of date information, specifically that there is no longer a store on the beach, nor are there kayaks/SUPs to rent

    The Water Warrior Island is no longer in the lake

    There are very few sites with buffers between

    It is sort of far to the beach and laundry from the modern campsites

    No non-reservable sites available

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2017

    Pioneer Trail Park & Campground

    Nice County Park

    When we pulled into this campground we couldn’t believe how empty it was. Compared to all the other campgrounds we had been to in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and seeing as it was still the busy summer camping season we were shocked. We were wondering what was “wrong” but nothing really surfaced. It could just have been that we were there during the week and the weekend rush hadn’t come yet. 

    There are 96 campsites that sit on 74 acres so there was plenty of room for us to walk our dog and not feel like we were going in circles. Campsites are the usual mix of pull thrus and back-ins, rustic tent and water/electric. None of the sites have sewer but some have 20/30/50 amp electric with water and others are rustic tent sites. The electric and water sites long enough for any size RV but leveling may be difficult in some of the sites (which are grass). Picnic tables and fire pits accompany every sites. Some sites have their fire pits located at the back of the sites which makes for a big line of fire pits which was kind of weird. There are some large pine trees that provide some shade but this is not a wooded campground by any means. 

    For a county-run park there are plenty of amenities including WiFi which was slow and depends on where you are located in the park.  The showers and flush toilets were clean but a little on the old side. A store sells ice, firewood, soda, snacks and ice cream. There is a really nice picnic pavilion that would be great if you had a lot of people in your group. It is covered with a “kitchen” area and lots of picnic tables. Since the park is on the Escanaba River there is a boat launch (albeit not really suitable for large boats with deep draft) and you can fish from the bank. Disco golf fans will love the 27-hole course that winds through the woods and property. For the kids, a playground area is large with lots of things for them to climb and play on. 

    The park is located off HWY 2 so access is easy but there is a bit of road noise. Plus, when we visited there was road construction going on that produced traffic backups and more noise. But the real problem is the train tracks that runs alongside the campground and seemed busy 24/7. It is not so bad in the front of the park but back where the tent section is must be pretty bad if you are in a tent.

  • K
    Jul. 30, 2018

    Camp Seven Lake Campground

    Fab beach

    This is a fabulous campground! 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.) There is a boat launch on one end of campground and the amazing beach on the other. The water is clear and warm (perfect lake for swimming) and there is both sand and grassy areas on the fairly large beach. The beach also offers picnic tables and benches. The only negative aspect I can see about this campground is that the sites are right on top of each other, so if you have a loud group or a generator next to you, it is noisy. But most campgrounds have sites set real close together, so you will find this pretty much everywhere. Def camp here! About an hours drive from a Pictured Rocks National Park. There are no showers or running water. Camp hosts were very nice, helpful, & welcoming.

  • Katie M.
    Aug. 14, 2021

    Perkins Park & Campground

    Family friendly and crowded

    Overall, this is a good option for coming near Marquette, especially if you have a trailer, a family, or are looking to post up for a bit.

    Pros: The campsite has a lot of amenities that are easily accessible. Each site has a table, a fire pit, potable water nearby and most have electric hookup. The beach area for swimming in Lake Independence is nice with a pavilion, volleyball, and ping pong nearby. You can launch your boat or fish from the dock. The views are beautiful.

    Cons: It's a crowded location that doesn't offer a lot of privacy. At 2am we were woken up by a boat coming back in from the water blasting it's music while the whole crew was loud and obnoxious.

  • Brittny B.
    Aug. 31, 2018

    Van Riper State Park Campground

    A Fun Family Friendly Campground near Canyon Falls

    This is a well run,clean campground in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was easy to access and right off the main road, no four wheel drive necessary.

    The campsites are large and there are a few sites near the lake (We recommend 113).There is a great playground, the summer of 2018 it hosted an inflatable water park which was a riot!

    The water system is getting redone which will remove the orange color in the showers (which would otherwise be very nice). The water was not drinkable due to high arsenic but a large container of potable water was available. That is the only thing keeping this campground from being a 5.

    The lake was a great temperature and very swimmable. Quiet hours are all the time so it was very peaceful and enjoyable. Ask the rangers for a listing of moose sightings outside of the campground.

    Would definitely recommend for visitors in the U.P.

  • Neil T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2021

    Perkins Park & Campground

    Fun lake exploring!

    Vibe: Mix of retirees and families. 

    Cleanliness: Above average. 

    Facilities: Average. 

    General spots: Varies from right up next to each other to odd shaped spaces that have extra room and trees. 

    Our site: 40. One of the odd shaped spaces that had extra buffer room and big trees for shade. It was at an intersection at the camp and traffic was pretty steady during the day. 

    Noise: Mostly quiet. Kids played well after dark in a parking lot across from us, but quiet hours didn’t start until 11 and they were never a problem. 

    Cell signal(Verizon): Full bars. I streamed a movie (Anatomy of a Murder...see below). 

    Other: You can swim at Independence Lake right at the camp. If you want to swim in Lake Superior, Squaw Beach is about 10 minutes away. Ate the Lumberjack Tavern and found out about“Anatomy of a Murder” and that it took place at the tavern. Turns out the couple involved had a trailer at the campground.


Guide to Gwinn

Gwinn's campgrounds sit in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where seasonal temperatures range from below 10°F in winter to mid-70s in summer. The area features a mix of pine forests and waterways with sandy soil conditions. Camping options near Gwinn include both rustic sites and full-hookup facilities, with many campgrounds open from May through September.

What to do

Hiking at Laughing Whitefish Falls: Located near Little Lake State Forest Campground, these falls offer a scenic day trip from Gwinn. One camper noted, "It's a sweet little campground: quiet, dark and removed from the crowds. Close to Laughing Whitefish Falls and also not far from Marquette and Presque Isle."

Fishing on local waterways: The Escanaba River at Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park provides trout fishing opportunities. As one visitor explained, "Very nice park, on a river with various levels of campsites... hiking trails, trout stream, golf course 6 miles, swimming in river, 15 other lakes in a 10 mile radius."

Disc golf adventures: Pioneer Trail Park & Campground offers a 27-hole disc golf course through wooded terrain. A recent camper mentioned, "We parked in a river spot, and it was such a wonderful location... access to fishing right at our site and disc golf across from our camper!"

What campers like

Remote camping options: For those seeking quieter experiences than glamping in Gwinn, Michigan, Haymeadow Creek NF Campground offers free dispersed sites. "There's actually seven sites, but they're all pretty premium, spacewise and just general atmosphere. Each has its own fire ring and a picnic table. The loop is also directly connected to a cheeky little waterfall trail."

Swimming beaches: Lake Independence at Perkins Park & Campground features a developed swimming area. A visitor reported, "The beach is very nice and the water in Wilderness Lake is clean. There is an older playground that our kids still enjoyed, and an old abandoned railroad line that is now a trail."

Proximity to outdoor activities: Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park provides centralized access to multiple recreation options. According to a camper: "Easy access from town and close to post office, library, stores 1 mile away, hiking trails, trout stream, golf course 6 miles, swimming in river, 15 other lakes in a 10 mile radius."

What you should know

Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At Munising Tourist Park, "This campground is all about what site you can get. I reserved a full hookup/waterfront site and it was amazing. All we had to do was step out our door to be looking at the water. However, if you're not lucky enough to get one on the waterfront, then there's just crowded, open sites."

Noise considerations: Train tracks near Pioneer Trail Park create occasional disturbances. One camper noted, "Traffic noise isn't too annoying except for the occasional loud mufflers and train horns. No train horns were heard during the late hours though."

Generator usage: Little Lake State Forest Campground permits generators, which affects the camping experience. "Pulled in. Most spots filled with semi permanent trailers and everyone had a generator. Pretty place but not for us."

Alternative to glamping: While glamping in the Gwinn area focuses on lakefront experiences, traditional tent sites at Haymeadow Creek offer a different experience: "Easy to get to. No service for TMobile or Verizon, but still a great secluded spot."

Tips for camping with families

Playground facilities: Van Riper State Park Campground has extensive play areas for children. "My kids made some of their best memories ever camping here. Lots of families, positive environment. Clean campground and park, helpful staff. Swam and paddled on Lake Michigamme for hours. Huge beach with volleyball net. Large bathhouse with private shower rooms. Huge playground."

Birthday celebration spots: Van Riper State Park works well for special events. A parent shared: "Had my son's 6th birthday party here. We were able to grill our food at our camp site then brought it over closer to the beach where we set up in the grassy area. The kids were are to play on the beach or the play ground equipment."

Water recreation options: Michigamme Shores Campground provides family-friendly water activities. "Beautiful lake with a big beach... They have a water toy park. I would come back."

Child-friendly bathrooms: Tourist Park in Gwinn features accessible facilities. "We have an Aliner and most of the RVs were big with their own bathroom, so the facilities at Tourist were almost all ours!"

Tips from RVers

Hookup considerations: At Pioneer Trail Park, plan for specific utility setups. "We booked a river site but changed to a basic water and electric and saved 5 bucks for a better site. The sites on the river are not well laid out and it's hard to tell where to set up."

Site surfacing: Many RV sites in the area are unpaved. At Pioneer Trail, "The sites are all very clean and larger with nice tall pines and big fire pits... None of the sites here are very private."

Site spacing: At Michigamme Shores, the arrangement works well for larger rigs. "A clean park with decent sized lots. Plenty of family activities."

Seasonal considerations: Van Riper State Park can accommodate winter camping. "Sites are bigger than parks in the lower peninsula. Ask the rangers where to go to look for moose."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Gwinn, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Gwinn, MI is Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park with a 4-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Gwinn, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 20 glamping camping locations near Gwinn, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.