Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula encompasses a diverse network of developed campgrounds and rustic sites spread across multiple counties. Established campgrounds like Northland Outfitters and Jack Pine Lodge offer cabins alongside traditional tent and RV sites, while Manistique Lakeshore Campground provides waterfront access with modern amenities. Most developed facilities feature electric hookups, drinking water, and designated fire rings, though several more primitive options exist within the forest boundaries where camping remains more basic.
Road access varies significantly between campgrounds, with some sites accessible via paved roads while others require travel on forest service roads. "This campground is 15 minutes away from Manistique but feels quite remote," noted one visitor about Merwin Creek State Forest Campground. The camping season typically runs from May through October, though some campgrounds like Indian Lake State Park remain open year-round. Winter conditions often limit accessibility, especially at remote forest service sites. Cell service can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at campgrounds located deeper in the forest, with visitors reporting inconsistent coverage at locations like Northland Outfitters.
Riverside camping ranks as a particular highlight across multiple campgrounds in the area. Several sites at Merwin Creek State Forest Campground sit directly on the Manistique River, offering excellent fishing opportunities. A visitor described it as "a beautiful little campground with most sites being right on the river." Many campgrounds balance proximity to natural features with practical amenities, though amenity levels vary considerably. While some locations like Jack Pine Lodge provide full hookups, camp stores, and on-site restaurants, more rustic options like Merwin Creek offer vault toilets and water pumps with minimal facilities. Visitors frequently mention the region's balance of natural setting and recreational access, with opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and hiking nearby. Seasonal campers occupy some campgrounds, which can affect the atmosphere and availability during peak periods.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$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."
"RV lots are large and private, Lots of trees and there is a constant breezy that comes off of Lake Michigan."
"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."
$33 - $55 / night
"Jack Pine is a small campground in the Hiawatha National Forest. It's a big attraction for Quads and dirt bikes during the summer and I'm told snowmobiles, during the winter."
"I have absolutely nothing but positive things to say. I am more one to frequent rustic and secluded campgrounds."
$35 - $80 / night
"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."
$15 / night
"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."
$24 - $80 / night
"Each site on the lake side of the loop has their own access to a path along the lake and a spot to easily tie off a boat."
"We had the site next to the entrance so it was a little busy but not too bad. The loop around the lake was a nice walk to start the day."
$30 - $45 / night
"Nice place,don’t have to drive to far off beaten path,Haley at check in was very nice and was real informative about anything in the area,will be back"
"Nice campground that is a good Basecamp fit central upper peninsula of Michigan. Some sites have electricity but there is no dump station. $20 a nite$ 18 if you are a senior."
"We used AT&T for daily internet use, it was very reliable at around 30-80 mbps download speeds. It hasn't been too crowded any time we've been there, can be buggy since it's on the river."
"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."
$30 / night
"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."
TravelerThis is an upscale campground. Concrete pads, wheelchair accessible picnic tables, excellent bathrooms and showers, good separation between sites and right on Lake Michigan!
GuideWe lucked out and stumbled across Woodstar Campground. Super friendly host. RV sites and rustic sites along the beach but tucked into the moderate tree cover enough for wind protection. We stayed on the rustic side and had it all to ourselves while still really close to the bathrooms. Bathrooms and showers are older but well maintained. Wood, ice and laundry available. There’s a great playset, swings and tetherball for the kids right by the laundry and showers. We absolutely loved our stay!
TravelerSites are clean, paved, beautiful setting, wanted water front, was not disappointed with our site even though not on water.
TravelerOlder campground could use some TLC but everything worked in tv in fine. Grass and gravel sites. Our site A6 if your sewer value is near the back of your trailer it’s a little uphill to dump.
ScoutWe 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. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we were not able to stop into the casino, but I am planning a trip up next month and going to go in and give them some love, grab a snack, a drink and do a little gambling 😊
GuideHad a campsite facing Lake Superior. Water, shore power, wi-fi, cable tv. Restrooms and showers were super clean. A well run operation. 10 minutes from Picture Rock Natl Lakeshore. Walking distance to town. Coffee shop, restaurants and gas and liquor all close by. Fishing all over the place.
Great value. Great people.
RangerOnly 2 sites, and they need to be reserved, according to the ass who told me. Both occupied by people with pets, which I don't mind but is supposedly not allowed. 2 stars for the view.
RangerWent all the way to the back and got a lakeside spot down the other side of the hill from the main site. Nice and tucked away. Thought the skeeters were insane, but this time of year, it's to be expected.
GuideWonderful managers for this small Campground with only about 12 spaces. Sparkling clean restroom and shower. Water and electric at each site but no dump station in this Campground. For $25, I don't know what else you could ask for.
Hiawatha National Forest spans nearly one million acres of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with elevations ranging from 581 to 1,781 feet above sea level. The forest contains over 400 lakes and connects to Lake Superior to the north and Lake Michigan to the south. Camping options throughout the forest vary significantly in accessibility, with many sites limited to vehicles under 22 feet long due to narrow forest service roads.
Canoe the Manistique River: Access the river directly from Northland Outfitters, which offers rentals and shuttles for a 10-mile trip taking about 2 hours. "The river was up and it was a beautiful ten mile trip which took about 2 hours... It was serene on the river. One of our best camping experiences!" noted a visitor who enjoyed the convenient shuttle service.
Visit Kitch-iti-kipi Springs: Located just 5 minutes from Indian Lake State Park West Campground, this clear spring allows visitors to see to the bottom. "After having dinner at Clyde's in Manistique (great burgers!) we visited the Big Spring. It was almost dusk and the park was still relatively busy. I'm glad we went at that time of day," reports a camper who suggests visiting during evening hours to avoid peak crowds.
Explore local hiking trails: The Fox River Pathway begins near Seney Township Campground and offers hiking opportunities along the historic Fox River. "The Fox River Pathway hiking trail begins just down the road from the park," mentions a visitor who appreciated the convenient trail access after setting up camp.
Lakefront camping: Sites directly on the water rank high with visitors to Colwell Lake Campground. "Each site on the lake side of the loop has their own access to a path along the lake and a spot to easily tie off a boat. There are paths off the loop so that campers on the other side can access the lake path and the beach," explains a camper who appreciated the thoughtful layout providing lake access for all sites.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites, providing privacy despite being in established campgrounds. At Indian Lake State Park West Campground, one camper noted, "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. I still can't get over how few people were there on a Friday in summer!"
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent mention across reviews. At Manistique Lakeshore Campground, "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," noted a visitor who appreciated the well-maintained facilities despite the higher price point.
Cell service varies widely: Coverage differs dramatically between campgrounds, affecting work and emergency communications. At Northland Outfitters, visitors report, "Cell coverage (AT&T for my family, Verizon for my friends) was pretty hit or miss at 0-2 bars at any given time. I could sometimes stream audio for an hour or two. Other times, it wouldn't do anything."
Insects can be intense: Many campers mention significant insect activity, particularly in early summer. "These things were unphased by a number of citronella candles, obscene amounts of bug spray... Cooking anything was awful... and they drove all 4 of my brood to the brink of madness at some point or another," reported a visitor to Colwell Lake Campground who advised bringing extra protection.
Firewood availability: Most established campgrounds sell firewood on-site, though prices vary. One camper at Indian Lake State Park South Campground noted, "We bought our firewood from a house south of the campground entrance on H455. It was an amazing price ($5) per square of firewood, and they offered kindling bundles for a dollar."
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Manistique Lakeshore Campground, a visitor highlighted "great playground, beautiful beach and view of a lighthouse. Memorable experience for the whole family."
Consider swimming conditions: Water quality and safety vary between locations. "Nice park but the only thing we saw about swimmers itch was on a billion board outside the bathroom AFTER we had already been swimming," cautioned a visitor to Indian Lake West Semi-Modern Campground, suggesting parents check water conditions before allowing swimming.
Sand play areas: Even without beaches, some campgrounds provide alternative play spaces. At Northland Outfitters, "Sandy area for the volleyball net was a nice sand area for our granddaughter to play in," noted a grandparent who found the volleyball court doubled as a play space.
Site size limitations: Many forest service roads and campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. At Jack Pine Lodge and Campground, "They cut tress branches to clean open spots for RVs. Most sites have water/sewage and 30 or 50amp service," reported one visitor, appreciating the accommodation for larger vehicles.
Hookup options vary widely: Water, electric and sewer connections differ significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are paved and they have great fire pits on each site. 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," noted a camper at Manistique Lakeshore, suggesting calling ahead for site recommendations during wet seasons.
Consider convenience/fee tradeoffs: Some campgrounds offer budget-friendly options without full amenities. At Seney Township Campground, a visitor explained, "Small township campground with vault toilets, artesian well, 20/30 amp hook-ups, and Fox River access, $20/night (no reservations). Sites are easy to access and off of a main road."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Hiawatha National Forest?
Hiawatha National Forest offers diverse camping experiences across its expansive wilderness. Bay Furnace Campground provides secluded sites in a well-wooded area with some spots directly on Lake Superior, offering stunning views of Grand Island. The level sites are excellent for tent camping. For a more intimate experience, Bass Lake Campsite features just five sites with decent spacing between sites 1-3, while sites 4-5 are connected for group camping. The campground is surrounded by trees perfect for hammocks. Other notable options include Au Train Lake Campground (remote with spacious primitive sites), Island Lake (smaller and quiet), and Pete's Lake for a peaceful forest setting.
What activities can visitors enjoy when camping in Hiawatha National Forest?
Hiawatha National Forest offers a wealth of recreational activities for all outdoor enthusiasts. Water activities abound at Island Lake, where campers can enjoy swimming, fishing, and paddling. The forest is also ideal for hiking through diverse ecosystems and stargazing, with Jack Pine Lodge and Campground serving as a popular hub for ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts in summer and snowmobilers in winter. Nearby attractions include Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, offering dramatic shoreline views and boat tours. Visitors can also explore local waterfalls, beaches along Lake Superior, and miles of trails for mountain biking. Wildlife viewing opportunities are plentiful throughout the forest, with numerous lakes and streams available for kayaking and canoeing adventures.
What amenities are available at Hiawatha National Forest campgrounds?
Hiawatha National Forest campgrounds typically offer basic amenities consistent with their natural setting. Au Train Lake Campground provides primitive campsites with vault toilets but no showers, making it ideal for those seeking a more rustic experience. For campers wanting more amenities, Otter Lake Campground & Lodge offers clean bathrooms and showers, boat/kayak/canoe rentals, a basketball court, and a small playground. Though there's no cell service at many forest campgrounds, some like Munising Tourist Park Campground offer water and electricity hookups, with select sites featuring sewer connections. Most National Forest campgrounds have potable water, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though hookups are limited.
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