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."
