Campgrounds near Iron River, Michigan offer primitive to full-service sites across the Ottawa National Forest region. Located in the western Upper Peninsula at an elevation of 1,500 feet, this area experiences extended winters with early frost potential and short but warm summers. The region features dense northern hardwood forests with extensive hiking trails connecting many campgrounds through rolling terrain.
What to do
Swimming at sandy beaches: Franklin Lake features crystal-clear water with a sandy beach area for swimming. "The water is crystal clear, you can get campsites on the lake, and it's pretty quiet," notes Hannah I. The campground also offers lakeside sites where "you can walk in and swim right there."
Fishing opportunities: Anglers can catch smallmouth bass in several area lakes. A reviewer at Lake Ottawa Campground mentions "very clear water in the lake, I was able to see down 20+ feet to see the bottom and scope for fish." The reviewer also notes, "fishing is pretty good, too - catch-and-release only for the smallmouth bass to help keep the crayfish population in check."
Explore historical sites: Visit the CCC-built structures at Franklin Lake. "Beautiful buildings built by the CCC. There is even a small nature center," writes Kay K. The area contains several historical points of interest accessible via short hikes from campgrounds.
Access natural springs: Find fresh artesian well water near Lost Lake Campground. "Pro tip: drive down the road to Chipmunk Rapids Campground and get your water at the artesian well," suggests Art S., who visited during peak season. Another camper confirms the quality: "Cute campground with an artesian well. The toilet is clean."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Bewabic State Park Campground offers well-separated campsites. "Sites were large and well cared for," notes Two Snoops. Another camper adds, "Nice shaded and level lots. The B loop is close to hot showers and clean bathrooms. Plenty of room between neighbor campers."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of facilities. At Bewabic State Park, Suzanne B. mentions, "the sites were very big and the bathrooms were clean." Similarly, at Pentoga Park Campground, visitors appreciate the "onsite laundry and small camp store."
Wildlife viewing: The area offers opportunities to see diverse wildlife. A camper at Chipmunk Rapids reports, "Lots of deer and turkeys. Heard wolves at night. It was great!" The seclusion of these campgrounds provides excellent nature observation opportunities.
Night sky viewing: Low light pollution creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Bewabic State Park, Suzanne B. describes, "It was quiet at night and dark and you could see the stars!" This makes the Iron River area perfect for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds offer drinking water. At Paint River Hills Campground, campers note, "We stayed in a cabin that was small and reasonably priced. The showers and bathroom facility were clean." However, at other sites, "Due to the early freezing weather, water and sewer had been unexpectedly, but understandably, disconnected."
Early winter conditions: Weather changes quickly in the UP. Jeffrey S. reports experiencing "lightly snowing so we had a fire and breakfast in the falling snow" during a shoulder season visit. Plan accordingly when camping in spring or fall.
Reservation timing: Popular dog friendly campgrounds near Iron River fill quickly. For Pentoga Park, Heidi T. advises, "Make your reservations far in advance. Like January 1st for that spring, summer or fall."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be spotty. Hannah I. shares, "Cell service is awful, you can get service sort of by the lake depending on your provider, but don't count on it." Know which campgrounds offer better coverage if staying connected is important.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Lost Lake Campground provides family-friendly swimming. "This is a nice campground on a clean lake perfect for swimming," reports Lisa R. The campground features "sites are large and a few have lake shore access perfect for non-motorized boating/kayaking."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer designated play areas. At Pentoga Park, Mike S. mentions, "They have a decent playground and camp store, the beach is great for swimming and the lake for fishing." These amenities keep children entertained during longer stays.
Educational opportunities: Look for campgrounds with nature centers. Kay K. notes that Franklin Lake "even has a small nature center. My family loves the nature trail that takes us through bogs and past maiden hair ferns."
Distance to services: When camping with families, know how far supplies are. A reviewer mentions the Iron River area is "about a 10-15 minute drive from town of Iron River which has a few nice stores & an ice cream shop," making it convenient for families who forget essentials.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Several pet friendly campgrounds near Iron River now offer electric sites. At Franklin Lake, Andrew D. notes, "They just added electric hook up to some sites in the South End. Right now the price is the same for electric or non-electric sites."
Size limitations: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. At Paint River Hills Campground, Erika P. shares, "They have 4 pull through sites with full hook-ups; $25 a night. 50/20 amps, high water pressure." Know your vehicle dimensions before booking.
Self-registration systems: Be prepared for minimal staff presence. "You self register for check-in," explains Erika P. about Paint River Hills. This is common at smaller dog friendly campgrounds throughout the Iron River area.
Seasonal access restrictions: RVers should check road conditions before arrival. Jeffrey S. advises the campground "is open till it freezes and opens Memorial Day weekend," a common schedule for many area campgrounds due to harsh UP winters.
