Union Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Site 28. Literally right on shore. Sleeping to the waves and waking up to endless water. T-Mobile says no coverage in Dyrt app, but I had two bars most of the time.
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Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park houses some of Michigan's most distinctive glamping accommodations, with yurts and canvas glamping options nestled within 60,000 acres of old-growth forest. The park's glamping sites feature comfortable sleeping arrangements, picnic tables, and fire rings, all positioned to maximize privacy and natural views. One visitor noted, "LS-3 is everything we came for - right on the lake, plenty of firewood, ultimate in privacy since no other sites are within at least a half mile, perfectly level spot for the tent and a built-out fire pit area." These accommodations provide an elevated camping experience with sturdy structures that withstand Upper Peninsula weather while maintaining proximity to Lake Superior's shoreline. The Apostle Islands Area also offers glamping options with canvas accommodations that include electricity and water hookups, providing comfort without sacrificing the outdoor experience.
Trails connecting directly to glamping sites lead to numerous waterfalls, pristine Lake Superior beaches, and scenic overlooks throughout the region. The Little Carp River trail system provides glamping guests with immediate access to multiple waterfalls, while Lake of the Clouds offers spectacular panoramic views just a short drive away. According to a camper, "We visited with our dog the first week of October to catch the fall colors. After driving up from Chicago, checking in, and then driving to Little Carp River Road, finally ready to hike at 4pm." Winter visitors can experience snow-covered landscapes with heated glamping accommodations serving as base camps for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Most glamping sites require advance reservations, particularly during peak fall color season from late September through mid-October when the region's maple forests display vibrant reds and oranges against the backdrop of evergreens.
"If you are looking for real out door experience with no common amenities except running water this is the place for you. Enjoy amazing waterfalls, rugged camping and gorgeous lake Superior sunsets..."
"Great location, and has the basics for the camping. I was in site 44, and most of the sites in the "middle" were more of an open field with a couple of trees. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
"this campground was nice, clean, decent size sites with pressurized water throughout the park, a few sites with nice Lake Superior view, is up on a ridge so can’t actually access water from the 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!"
"Very nice park with several new lots that are all grass with water and electric. Several lots are full hookup."
"The bar & grill have a decent menu and the thin crust pizza was yummy."
"Had a great site right on the lake, fire pit was 10 feet from the water, most sites are large with trees but not many are very level."
"We loved staying at Lake Gogebic! There’s a beach a short walk through the campground and the site hosts are super friendly."
from $20 - $120 / night
Check Availability"This was our first time camping in Michigan and we loved being so close to Lake Superior. We're used to MN state parks, so we found the campsites in MI to be a bit small and too close to each other."
"There’s electric at all the modern campsites, as well as the typical picnic table, fire pit combo."
from $41 / night
Check Availability"About 5 miles in on a dirt road, but the sites are pretty nice and secluded."
"Enjoy the road as it winds you between many lakes on the way to Henry Lake. 5 miles of well kept gravel road. It gets bumpier on the last leg to the campground."
"After driving up from Chicago, checking in, and then driving to Little Carp River Road, finally ready to hike at 4pm."
"Campsite LS-14 had a lovely location on the lake, but was very muddy/previously submerged with water. It immediately abuts site LS-13."
from $20 - $140 / night
Check Availability"Campground is a hidden gem - these sites are huge and if you can get one of the sites right on the lake, do it!"
"Upon arrival the horseflies greeted us with curiosity. They seemed to leave us after we finished setting up but we still put up our screen room. Sites that are near the lake have more direct access."
from $26 / night
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Site 28. Literally right on shore. Sleeping to the waves and waking up to endless water. T-Mobile says no coverage in Dyrt app, but I had two bars most of the time.
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
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.
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.
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.
Well separated sites offer excellent privacy in an old growth forest. CG was very quiet
Nice campground
Quiet spot but no drinking water. Had to go back to Bessemer but found a spring to get water. A local showed me after asking at ace hardware. Great hiking to some waterfalls but some were closed.
We had two nights here in two different spots. Price is a little high but it does include utilities which is nice. Most spots are 2 night minimum unless you’re filling a gap between reservations which is what we did and it was great. Staff really friendly and helpful. Nice trees around sites. Sites were close but we still found it pretty quiet. Good location to go in to town. Would definitely return.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park sits on the southwestern shore of Lake Superior, with terrain features ranging from 600 to 1,958 feet above sea level. The area experiences long winters with substantial snowfall, often reaching 200+ inches annually. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-75°F with cool evenings, creating ideal conditions for campers looking to escape summer heat while exploring this heavily forested region near Ironwood, Michigan.
Waterfall hiking: 4 miles round trip. The Black River Harbor Recreation Area features a series of five major waterfalls along the Black River. "This is a beautiful area to visit even if it is just for a day, but just a days visit will leave you wanting to comeback for more," notes a visitor to Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping. The trails between falls include wooden stairs and viewing platforms.
UTV trail access: direct from campground. Frontier RV Park provides immediate access to UTV trails leading into Wisconsin. "If your looking for a place to ride its," mentions one camper at Frontier RV Park and Campground, who appreciated the direct trail connections. The campground serves as a convenient base for motorized exploration with gas available on-site.
Copper Peak exploration: 30-minute drive. This ski flying facility offers summer viewpoint access. "Copper Peak, the only ski flying facility in North America. In the summer you can ride up to the top to see pretty far. It's not for the faint of heart, you really can't mind heights if you are going up there," explains a visitor to Black River Harbor Recreation Area. The facility offers panoramic views of three states and Canada on clear days.
Private waterfront sites: minimal neighbors. Several Lake Superior shoreline campsites provide remarkable isolation. "LS-16, the hike was better than day 1 though travel consisted of hiking long sketches on small pebbles. The site is directly on lake superior, we made it in time for a beautiful sun set. The water was crystal clear and great for swimming, cooking, and cleaning," notes a Porcupine Mountains Backcountry camper, highlighting the rewards of more remote glamping near Ironwood.
Well-spaced campsites: room to spread out. Campers appreciate the generous site spacing at Lake Gogebic State Park Campground. "Stayed here for 3 nights over the July 4th weekend 2020. Had a great site right on the lake, fire pit was 10 feet from the water, most sites are large with trees but not many are very level," explains a visitor. This spacing creates privacy not always found at more developed campgrounds.
Clean facilities: well-maintained bathrooms. Despite being rustic, many campgrounds maintain excellent facilities. "The site has some of the best maintained restrooms and showers I have seen. The proximity to the Porcupine Mountains is another plus," notes a Lake Gogebic visitor. This attention to cleanliness makes primitive camping more comfortable for those seeking wilderness glamping experiences.
Weather fluctuations: rapid changes. The Lake Superior shoreline experiences sudden weather shifts. A camper at Ottawa National Forest Black River Harbor Campground notes, "I did a 3 day/2 night hike during peak color... I was warned the Lake Superior trail was muddy when I checked in, and the ranger was not joking - I was grateful to have trekking poles to help balance on logs, branches, roots and rocks." Waterproof footwear and layers are essential year-round.
Insect preparation: varying intensity. Mosquitoes can be prolific, particularly in early summer. "The Mosquito Coast... Lake Gogebic State Park is an ok campground compared to others I have visited. A big minus for me were the millions of mosquitoes, but I guess that comes as part of the 'nature package'," advises a camper. Bug spray with high DEET concentration proves essential from late May through July.
Limited cell service: disconnected experience. Most campgrounds have minimal to no cellular coverage. "With no Verizon cell service, this is a nice night's stopover for us," mentions a camper at Schomberg Park. This lack of connectivity creates an authentic wilderness experience but requires advance planning for navigation and emergency communications.
ATV wash stations: clean equipment. Families with ATVs appreciate the dedicated washing facilities at Schomberg Park. "The coin operated atv wash is $1 for a minute. Bathrooms were extremely clean and well kept. Sites have electric no water hookups at the site. Fill of station is across from site 1," notes a visitor. This amenity helps maintain equipment after muddy trail rides.
Beach access: swimming options. Several campgrounds offer kid-friendly swimming areas. "The beach area was nice with a nice big sandy beach for the kids," mentions a Lake Gogebic camper. These designated swimming areas provide safer alternatives to the often cold and unpredictable Lake Superior shoreline.
Playground availability: on-site entertainment. For families seeking upscale glamping near Ironwood with amenities, certain campgrounds include playgrounds. "Large playground, biking, hiking," notes a Frontier RV Park visitor. These facilities provide children with activity options during downtime between wilderness adventures.
Site levelness: bring blocks. Many campsites in the region require leveling equipment. "Sites were grass, a little un-level but were very spacious. These pull-thru sites were water and electric only (30 amp) and the water pressure was a little low," explains a visitor to Alpine Campground & RV Park. Leveling blocks are essential gear for most RV sites in the region.
Limited full hookups: tank management. Most campgrounds offer partial hookups only. "There is a convenient dump station on the way out of the park," notes an Alpine Campground visitor. RVers should plan water usage accordingly and expect to use dump stations rather than sewer connections at most locations.
Narrow access roads: size restrictions. Some forest campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. "About 5 miles in on a dirt road, but the sites are pretty nice and secluded," explains a Henry Lake Campground visitor about the access road. RVers should research road conditions and turning radius requirements before booking at more remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ironwood, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ironwood, MI is Presque Isle — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 41 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Ironwood, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near Ironwood, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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