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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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."
