C
Carly G.
Scout
ScoutUnion Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Site 28. Literally right on shore. Sleeping to the waves and waking up to endless water.
Camping near Ironwood, MI
142 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Campgrounds surrounding Ironwood, Michigan provide diverse accommodations for campers seeking both developed facilities and natural settings. Curry Park Campground in Ironwood offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups and showers, while Alpine Campground & RV Park features tent, RV, and glamping options with proximity to the Black River. Additional options include Little Girl's Point County Park along Lake Superior and several facilities within Ottawa National Forest. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate both tent camping and RVs, with several offering cabin rentals for those seeking more shelter.
Seasonal considerations heavily influence campground operations in Michigan's Upper Peninsula region. Many campgrounds, including Curry Park, operate from May through October, closing during harsh winter conditions. "Sites were grass, a little un-level but were very spacious," noted one visitor to Alpine Campground. Road access remains generally good throughout the camping season, with most facilities accessible via paved roads. Facilities vary significantly across campgrounds, with some like Curry Park offering full hookups, showers, and flush toilets, while more rustic options provide pit toilets and drinking water only. Cell service is typically reliable near Ironwood but may diminish in more remote locations within the national forest areas.
The camping experience near Ironwood benefits from the region's natural features and convenient access points. Several campers mention the proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities as a key advantage. Locations near waterfalls and rivers receive particular praise, with Black River Harbor Recreation Area offering access to scenic Lake Superior shoreline and nearby hiking trails. According to one visitor, "If you're looking for a place that isn't crammed packed full of people this is it. UTV trails to Wisconsin can be accessed right here." Campgrounds closer to town like Curry Park provide convenient access to local services while maintaining a relatively quiet atmosphere. Visitors frequently note the mature trees offering shade in many campgrounds and the opportunity to spot wildlife, with one camper reporting deer sightings within a campground. Proximity to attractions like the Porcupine Mountains and multiple waterfalls makes the Ironwood area a strategic base for exploring Michigan's western Upper Peninsula.
Best Campgrounds near Ironwood (142)
1. Curry Park Campground
"It’s a nice camping park on the main road in Ironwood MI. It’s a good place to stop on your way to your real destination. The bathrooms and showers are pretty good as far as camp bathrooms go."
"Saw a deer walking through camp. Nearby brewery was a nice treat! Sites we stayed at were pull through sites with full hook ups."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability2. Presque Isle — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
"So the drive-in sites are literally all right next to each other, no privacy at all."
"Presque Isle Campground is located at the southern edge of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. Alpine Campground & RV Park
"There are tons of hiking trails that start right In the campground. My favorite hike is to the waterfall and walking up the steps to get to the top of it."
"Right next to Black River. Sites sit back from highway so easy access and quiet. Open year round. Showers. Owner is friendly and very helpful."
from $20 - $40 / night
Check Availability4. Black River Harbor Campground
"No firewood to purchase nearby. Big sites. Great fire pits. Clean Pit toilets. It was a peaceful spot right next to Lake Superior! Close access to beaches. Amazing hiking. The most beautiful sunsets."
"We had easy access to nicely maintained vault toilets, and had there been water available this year there were plenty of spigots—no hand pumps here."
from $22 / night
Check Availability5. Little Girl's Point County Park
"On Lake Superior near Ironwood. Close to waterfalls and right on the Lake."
"Make sure you bring groceries with you as it is 16 miles to Ironwood. Limited cell service can be accessed sporadically and if needed near boat launch and west on Cr 505/122."
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Copper Falls State Park Campground
"The sites were heavily wooded and though near the main camp road, it didn't feel like a major throughfare."
"If your looking for areas to visit while camping here you may have a little bit of a drive."
from $25 - $90 / night
Check Availability7. Potato River Falls Campground
"A bit of a walk to both the upper and lower falls and I did not find actual easy access to the water, although I’m traveling solo so there’s only so much risk I’ll take."
"Free campsites within walking distance to upper and lower falls."
from $10 / night
Check Availability8. Weber Lake County Park
"The campground is on a no-wake lake so great for fishing."
9. Schomberg Park
"This is a perfect small sized campground with trail access to UTV /Atv trails. If you are coming here to ride I would recommend going west on the trail. North a lot of the trails were closed."
"There are trails starting right by camp. They even have an atv washing station - first I’ve seen. With no Verizon cell service, this is a nice night’s stopover for us."
10. Ottawa National Forest Black River Harbor Campground
"This campground is one of the best in/near the Ottawa National Forest. Sites are large and there are lots of trees creating privacy. We loved the hiking trails surrounding the area!"
"A beautiful harbor on Lake Superior surrounded with by a cornucopia of natural beauty."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 56 min from Duluth, MN
- 2 hrs 4 min from Wausau, WI
- 2 hrs 58 min from Eau Claire, WI
- 3 hrs 27 min from Green Bay, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Ironwood, MI
232 Photos of 142 Ironwood Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Curry Park Campground
Stargazers U.P. Campground
Alpine Campground & RV ParkA
Eddy Park & Campground
Weber Lake County Park
Little Girl's Point County Park
Upson Community ParkC
Black River Harbor Campground
Henry Lake CampgroundP
Presque Isle — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State ParkB
Popular Side 3 - Lake of the FallsS
Lake of the Falls County ParkC
Recent Reviews near Ironwood, MI
706 Reviews of 142 Ironwood Campgrounds
- UUrsula
RangerUnion Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Sites are very close together but the area is beautiful. Maybe it was unusual but it was very windy for 3 days in a row
Juliana J.
GuidePotato River Falls Campground
Beautiful, easy to find site
Potato falls is beautiful. A bit of a walk to both the upper and lower falls and I did not find actual easy access to the water, although I’m traveling solo so there’s only so much risk I’ll take. There’s some sort of protest here going on but the group has been quiet. I was discouraged at first thinking I wouldn’t find a spot, but the sites are far enough apart (out of eye sight within ear shot) that I felt comfortable staying. I walked to both upper and lower falls - about 320ish steps total. Verizon has 2 bars of service. Pit toilet located in the pavilion like area. Campsite has picnic table and fire pit.
- Juliana J.Guide
Foster Falls
Stunning and Easy to Find!
Falls are just a short walk away from the parking/camping area and I can hear them from my car. It’s fall and the leaves are changing and it’s just stunning. Great signage, easy to find and I somehow have service. The only reason I gave 4 star is because you’re camping right in the public parking area and I don’t think I would have stayed if anyone else was camping here simply because it’s not a huge site. But for one gal solo traveling in her car, it’s perfect for the night!
Haigang Z.
TravelerPresque Isle — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Rustic and beautiful
Beautiful, quiet campground with a true wilderness feel. The three nearby waterfalls are a must-see, and make sure to spend some time exploring the riverbed around them—it was one of the highlights of our stay. Great location for hiking, scenery, and enjoying the natural side of the Porcupine Mountains.
- John D.Guide
West End Thompson City Park
Jolli Olli and Thompson West End Park
This is a beautiful campground. Well maintained. Clean restrooms with showers (coin operated with 3 quarters). Our campsite was close to Lake Superior. This whole campground used to be William Hinds Lumber Mill. Amazing history for the area.
Cheryl S.TravelerArbor Vitae Campground
Boating and Fishing campground
We camped with our camper and boat. It was very nice to keep our boat at the dock. There is a small swimming area with a pier. The campground doesn’t have many amenities but the staff was very helpful. We loved hiking in the campground and adjacent and nearby state forest hiking trails. Beautiful lake. The north side of the lake is Untouched state forest. The campground is close to many sightseeing spots such as museums and shops.
Lesley G.TravelerLake Gogebic State Park Campground
Great stay
We had a site along the lake, close to the bath house and across from the camp host. Barb house and showers very clean. Bought fire wood at a great a lot right down the road.
Erin F.GuideSylvania (clark Lake) Campground
Quiet old forest
Well separated sites offer excellent privacy in an old growth forest. CG was very quiet
Guide to Ironwood
Camping spots near Ironwood, Michigan provide access to numerous waterfall hikes and recreation areas within the Ottawa National Forest and surrounding wilderness. The region sits at approximately 1,500 feet elevation, creating varied terrain for both tent and RV campers across multiple counties in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula and neighboring Wisconsin. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, limiting most campground operations to the May-October season.
What to Do
Waterfall hikes: Explore the Black River Harbor Recreation Area where five named waterfalls create spectacular hiking opportunities. "The real gem here is all the waterfalls nearby. Exhausting but breathtaking," notes a visitor to Black River Harbor Campground.
Lake Superior beaches: Search for agates and colorful rocks along the shoreline at Little Girl's Point. "It is a nice long beach to look for colorful rocks," reports one camper at Little Girl's Point County Park, which sits directly on the lake.
UTV trail access: Access trails directly from several campgrounds for off-road vehicle recreation. A visitor to Alpine Campground notes, "UTV trails to Wisconsin can be accessed right here. There are waterfalls nearby that are off the beaten path."
What Campers Like
Secluded waterfront sites: Several campgrounds offer lakefront sites with privacy from neighboring campers. At Presque Isle in the Porcupine Mountains, one camper explains, "We were lucky enough to reserve one of those [cliff-side sites], site 2. It was a very large site, equipped with the standard picnic table and fire ring."
Limited connectivity: Many camping areas have minimal cell service, creating a true disconnection experience. "Limited cell service can be accessed sporadically and if needed near boat launch and west on Cr 505/122," notes a visitor to Little Girl's Point County Park.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds report regular wildlife sightings. "Saw a deer walking through camp. Nearby brewery was a nice treat!" shares a camper at Curry Park Campground.
What You Should Know
Campground amenities vary significantly: Some offer full services while others provide minimal facilities. At Black River Harbor Recreation Area, "This is a more rustic place to camp, but the feel of nature surrounding you is worth it."
Insect preparation essential: Black flies and mosquitoes can be particularly intense during summer months. One camper at Black River Harbor Campground noted, "Now for the down side: black flies. They. Are. EVERYWHERE. We went early-mid July and it was so bad we left with at least 20 bites each."
Winter accessibility limited: Most campgrounds close completely during winter or provide minimal services. A visitor at Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park shared, "Have not camped here yet but the whole area is amazingly beautiful. Yurts and Cabins available. Definitely Seasonal. The road is not plowed completely in winter."
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer playground equipment for children. A Curry Park visitor mentions, "There is also a small playground, bathrooms, and sanitary dump site in the campground."
Swimming opportunities: Lake Superior beaches provide swimming access though water remains cold year-round. At Copper Falls State Park, "The swim beach is nice, just a short walk from the parking lot at the ranger station."
Educational hikes: Several campgrounds offer interpretive trails suitable for children. "The trails were well maintained, especially the waterfall trail (Doughboys). Lots of overlook platforms and a selfy station," notes a camper at Copper Falls State Park.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide dump stations. At Weber Lake Campground, a visitor mentioned, "No restrooms or dump stations but the campground is closing after Labor Day 2020 to make improvements."
Site sizes vary significantly: Several campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs. At Potato River Falls Campground, a camper noted, "Not a good fit for bigger RVs or longer pulls."
Electric service limitations: Many sites offer only 30-amp service or no hookups. A camper at Alpine Campground shared, "These pull-thru sites were water and electric only (30 amp) and the water pressure was a little low. There is a convenient dump station on the way out of the park."
Frequently Asked Questions
What RV camping options are available near Ironwood, MI?
What RV camping options are available near Ironwood, MI?
RV campers near Ironwood have several good options. Union Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers sites for RVs with easy access to Lake Superior, a visitor center via a short trail, and a convenience store for supplies like firewood. While sites can be somewhat close together, the lake access makes it a popular choice. Copper Falls State Park Campground across the border in Wisconsin provides 56 sites between its North and South campgrounds, with 23 offering electrical hookups. The sites are generously sized with good separation. Other options include Schomberg Park and Eddy Park & Campground, though availability and amenities vary seasonally. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak months.
Where are the best campgrounds in Ironwood, Michigan?
Where are the best campgrounds in Ironwood, Michigan?
The Ironwood area offers several excellent camping options. Little Girl's Point County Park sits directly on Lake Superior about 16 miles from Ironwood, offering beautiful shoreline views, rock picking opportunities, and stunning sunsets. Note that cell service is limited and groceries should be brought from Ironwood. In town, Curry Park Campground provides a convenient option right on the main road with flushing toilets, showers, and playground facilities, though some sites are on uneven ground and not all have picnic tables. For those willing to venture a bit further, Black River Harbor Campground and Ottawa National Forest offer additional camping experiences with varying amenities and proximity to natural attractions.
Is Presque Isle Park open for camping near Ironwood?
Is Presque Isle Park open for camping near Ironwood?
Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park is indeed open for camping and is located in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, a reasonable drive from Ironwood. The campground features both drive-in and walk-in sites. Drive-in sites are positioned close together with limited privacy, though some along the shore (escarpment) offer more trees and seclusion. Walk-in sites provide more distance between neighbors but limited visual privacy due to the open tree canopy. A major highlight is the proximity to waterfalls, with bluffs overlooking Lake Superior and walkways with stairs. For a more secluded experience, Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping offers wilderness sites accessible via hiking trails.
Keep Exploring