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Best Tent Camping near Ironwood, MI

587 Reviews

The Ottawa National Forest area surrounding Ironwood, Michigan provides multiple tent camping options for backcountry enthusiasts, from waterside sites to remote wilderness experiences. Nearby Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers Union River Rustic Outpost Camp with three secluded tent campsites, while the Sylvania Wilderness area provides backcountry tent camping opportunities with sites accessible by hiking or paddling. Additional tent-only campgrounds can be found at Lake McDonald Dam County Park in Michigan and within the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area.

Most tent campsites in this region offer primitive facilities with minimal improvements. Fire rings are common at established sites, though picnic tables are less predictable. A camper wrote, "The sites were all mowed. There were 24 in total. Most had fire rings, some had picnic tables." Vault toilets are typically available at developed tent campgrounds but not at remote backcountry sites. Tent campers should prepare to filter water from lakes and streams, as drinking water is rarely provided. Many tent-only areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis, particularly at more remote locations, while others like Union River Outpost require reservations.

Tent camping experiences vary significantly across the region's diverse ecosystems. The most secluded sites are found at Union River Outpost Camp, where reviews highlight the privacy and wilderness setting. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "This is a perfect, secluded spot... Site 1 was so secluded and private. It really felt like nobody else was out here." Backcountry tent sites in the Sylvania Wilderness offer a "good balance of open space and tree cover" but finding flat tent pads can be challenging due to "small mounds of moss or decayed nurse logs." The Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area provides boat-in tent camping on islands with excellent fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing, including eagles and loons. These sites are particularly valued by tent campers seeking isolation from road noise and larger camping vehicles.

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Best Tent Sites Near Ironwood, Michigan (24)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Ironwood, MI

13 Photos of 24 Ironwood Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Ironwood, MI

587 Reviews of 24 Ironwood Campgrounds

  • Stephanie F.
    Jul. 3, 2017

    North Trout Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Fewer amenities, but great trade-off

    We arrived on a Thursday and were able to snag one of the much-coveted lakeside sites for a private view of the sunset. Sites were level and clean and it never got busy for the weekend, which is just the way I like it. Although there are tons of other state campgrounds nearby with more amenities, I would gladly trade all of that for the no-electric, vault toilet, water pump solitude of North Trout Lake. The campground has a nature trail and is also located on a paved bike path that runs between nearby towns and connects to the other camping areas.

    Amenities: nice/clean vault toilets, water from pump tastes fantastic, swimming beach, firewood for sale onsite, no electric, no showers.

  • Nona A.
    Aug. 10, 2017

    Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park

    Great Campground for exploring, and for those who love waterfalls.

    If you're a person who loves waterfalls, then I recommend you don’t miss this campground.  Presque Isle Campground is located at the southern edge of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  This campground has bluff overlooking Lake Superior, there is a walkway and stairs that take you down the bluff to the shore.  Walking distance from the campground is the Presque River you can hike along and see all the beautiful waterfalls this river has to offer.  This is a Rustic campground that has vault toilets, and hand pump drinking water. The campground, restrooms and surrounding area’s were kept very clean. There are 50 campsites that are equipped for tents, trailers, and RV’s.  Each site has a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is no electrical hook up, and part of the campground is generator free.  Six of the sites are walk in sites, there are parking spots for these sites, you park and walk in a little ways to your site.  I recommend a site that is located on the outer sides of the campground loop.  They are larger sites and more privacy from your neighbors.  Inner loop sites are closer together and open.  Be prepared for mosquitoes and blackflies.  Blackflies bite, and bug spray does not affect them.  I found keeping a hand towel or fly swatter moving around me helped keep them away.  They are more active when it is humid, and down by the water.  These flies seem to be common up here along the shore.

    There are many things to do around the campground close to your site and others are a little bit of a drive from your site in the Porcupine Mountains State Park.  If you like to stay close to your camp, you can hang out on the beach, hike along the Presque Isle River and discover the Manabezho Falls, Manido Falls, and the Nawadaha Falls.  Also the Lake Superior Trail and North Country Trail are right by the campground.  These trails will connect you with other trails in the Porcupine Mountains.  The Porcupine Mountains have lot’s to offer anyone stopping to visit.  We took and day and seen The Lake of the Clouds, and Summit Peak.  They both are gorgeous areas to explore.  

  • Stacia R.
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park

    Stunning landscapes

    We camped at Presque Isle in the Porkies for a long weekend in October. The color change was amazing! This campground is rustic with only vault toilets and no hookups. There is a section that allows generators during certain hours of the day, a non-generator area and a few walk-in sites. There are a few sites which are along the cliff side looking down to Lake Superior, we were lucky enough to reserve one of those, site 2. It was a very large site, equipped with the standard picnic table and fire ring. Many of the sites back up to the woods, which were smaller and a little soggy while we were there. This campground is one of two in the park, Union Bay is the other more modern campground located right on the lake. The sites there are much smaller and crowded. I prefer the more remote Presque Isle campground by far. Less amenities but far less people. The hiking throughout this park is unparalleled in its beauty. The campground is close to the Presque Isle river trail which is waterfall after waterfall. The park has a ski lift we rode to check out the views from the top of the mountain, as well as an 18 hole disc course. It’s the hiking and rugged beauty of the area that is the main attraction, especially catching the fall colors surrounding Lake Superior.

  • A
    Aug. 19, 2020

    Black River Harbor Campground

    Great campground in a beautiful location

    We stayed at Black River Harbor Campground last week, in a year that the water supply was never turned on due to Covid. Nevertheless, we had an amazing time. We stayed in one of the many first-come-first-served campsites (which seemed to be available late into the afternoon, but filled most nights) and enjoyed a large site, separated by a pretty dense forest in between our neighbors. 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. The fire rings were solid and had cooking greats on each one, and the picnic tables in many cases were new. If you are heading here during the wetter season, know that the ground will likely be soft, but every site we looked at had some effort taken to make sure it stayed dry.

    The real gem of this place is the location. The Black River Falls are an astounding bit of Michigan scenery just minutes away by car. We decided to take a 7 mile out-and-back hike that brought us past five of the falls—each one far exceeding the expectations of this downstater. Next door to the Black River Falls are the Presque Isle Falls (though next door still means about an hour drive due to following the valley roads). The Presque Isle Falls are part of the Porcupine Wilderness State Park, and are gorgeous and even more accessible than the Black River Falls.

    Beyond hiking we had a great time hunting for agates on the beach and enjoying the marvelous spectacle of Lake Superior, including its unpredictable weather!

  • Hilary S.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    Beautiful at peak fall color!

    I did a 3 day/2 night hike during peak color, starting at the Lake Superior Trailhead. 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 to try to keep my boots as dry as possible in the parts of the trail that were submerged. 

    Campsite LS-14 had a lovely location on the lake, but was very muddy/previously submerged with water. It immediately abuts site LS-13. There was a wooden platform to put my tent on, but I had to bolster the corners so that it was big enough for my tent poles to have something to rest on. If I had gotten in before dark, I might have seen the small area near the trail side of the site that had higher, dryer ground. There is supposed to be a bear pole for these sites, but the group at the other site said there wasn't one. In hindsight, I think there probably was, away from the campsites, but since I had a canister, I didn't go looking for it after dark. The Lake Superior trail continued to be muddy until you got close to the Big Carp River mouth.

    Campsite BC-8 was a big upgrade - very large site, a little patch of open sky over the fire pit, easy access to the river for water. The big trees provided good shelter from a minor storm and high winds overnight. This site is right alongside the trail, but separated from the cabin and next site by a good distance. The hike out from here up the Big Carp River trail to Lake of the Clouds is a somewhat longer trek with a bit of elevation gain, but nothing too intense in my opinion.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Big Bay State Park Campground

    Nice Experience and some very nice sites

    Big Bay State Park Campground, WI: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Ferry Ride: $110 round trip with a 17’ trailer Overall Rating: 3.5 Price 2023: About $20 to $30 Usage during visit: Very full Site Privacy: Loop 1 - 29 Great site privacy. Loop 30 -60 some good sites. The overall privacy not as good. Site Spacing: Loop 1 - 30: Great. Loop 31- 60: Good Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: People noise while here. Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: Some sites Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Check out the campground map . The dump is on the way to the airport.
    Potable Water Available: Yes, at the bathrooms Generators: Not specified. We used a low noise generator. Bathroom: Clean pit toilets and flush toilets in the showroom.
    Showers: One centrally located.
    Pull Throughs: Mostly, if not all are back in. Cell Service (AT&T): Sporadic Setting: In a pine forest Weather: Highs are 70’s Bugs: Some mosquitoes. I think they are decreasing. Have bug spray if you hike. Solar: No Host: They are short a host Rig size: Rigs I’ve seen are under 35’ Sites: The sites in Loop 1 - 30 is the best loop, are most all very private. Loop30 - 60: Not as private. Site 42 has no under brush between site and parking for tent walk in sites. Other than that, pretty good. Sites 48, ad 50 are the absolute least private sites. Trailer sites in Loop 30 - 60 are generally not as deep and thus less site privacy than Loop 1 - 30. (35 - 41 are walk in tent sites,)

  • Kim The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2020

    Chequamegon National Forest Beaver Lake Campground

    Great campground, bad reservation system

    After a long hard hike on the NCT, we hiked into camp ready for a meal and a good sleep. We had spot #7 reserved, easily the most beautiful camp spot on the lake. A wonderful strip of sandy beach, heavily treed site, nice flat tent pads, a picnic table and fire pit.

    Our hearts sank as we walked to the site only to encounter a big RV parked there and it appeared someone was set up for the weekend. We were baffled! I had my print out confirm and proof it was ours but there was no camp host or any kind of ranger on site. We were on our own.

    So the people who took our site shows up. They tried to explain to us that there was a mistake in the reservation system and they had the site reserved too. I have no idea if it was a fabrication or not. But we were willing to share the camp site since we were only there for one night anyway.

    We pitched our tent. Enjoyed the sunset over the lake and settled in for a nice sleep.

    Pros: Large treed campsites Close vault Excellent potable water Beautiful serene lake Close to the NCT trailhead Vault cleaned daily Dumpsters and bear lockers Quiet camp sites No light pollution. Clear skies Minimal bugs in late august

    Cons: No camp hosts No firewood for sale Gravel back roads far from town No contact with forest service for issues NCT stretch of trail through the campsite is not that great

    I would camp there again but drive and not hike in.

  • Danielle A.
    Sep. 27, 2016

    Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

    Lovely, covered backcountry sites

    A lovely area with a good balance of open space and tree cover. Nearby Clark Lake is very pretty, good for swimming, and serves as the primary water source. The area is covered in soft pine duff but finding a truly flat spot free of any small mounds of moss or decayed nurse logs can be a challenge.

  • L
    Sep. 24, 2024

    North Trout Lake Campground — Northern Highland State Forest

    Nice State Campground

    You get a relatively flat site, fire ring, a picnic table, hand pump for water and vault toilets along with a beautiful clear water lake. There's a boat launch and firewood for sale. Reservations need to be made and paid online even if your fcfs. Cell phone and data are okay. There is tire noise from Highway M.

    Very few folks around in September!

    Honeymooned here in 1975. The location on the lake is beautiful. We camped here many times over the years. In tents, VW campers, trailers until about 20 years ago. Got a Sprinter RV this year and we're camped here now.

Guide to Ironwood

Tent camping near Ironwood, Michigan offers rustic experiences across diverse forested landscapes within the Ottawa National Forest, which covers over 990,000 acres and features more than 500 lakes. The region experiences cold winters with heavy lake-effect snow from Lake Superior, while summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F with occasional nighttime lows in the 40s even during July and August.

What to do

Waterfall hiking: Union River Rustic Outpost Camp provides direct access to waterfall trails. A camper noted, "There is a bridge and really nice trail along the river with waterfalls right at the end of the campground." The camp's proximity to the Union River mine trail makes it ideal for evening exploration.

Paddling wilderness areas: Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area offers exceptional paddling opportunities across its 12,942-acre flowage. One reviewer described it as "dubbed the 'Boundary Waters of Wisconsin' and for good reason! The quality of the waters, vast array of channels, islands and camping spots is simply amazing." The flowage has several public boat launches for canoes and kayaks.

Explore old-growth forests: Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping features rare old-growth forest with hiking and paddling options. Campers can navigate between sites by water or trail systems. A visitor mentioned, "We did it the easy way, loaded our canoe, crossed the lake to our campsite and set up camp. No portaging with our gear."

What campers like

Island camping privacy: Campers at Turtle Flambeau particularly value having "an Island to yourself." As one reviewer explains, "It is peaceful and relaxing watching the wilderness transform hourly around you or waking up and going to sleep with the song from the Loons." The islands provide a genuine wilderness experience despite being relatively accessible.

Secluded rustic sites: Union River Rustic Outpost Camp offers just three sites total, creating exceptional privacy. A camper shared, "Site 1 was so secluded and private. It really felt like nobody else was out here. We had more than enough room to set up and could even have fit additional tents."

Wildlife viewing: Camping in this region offers exceptional wildlife encounters. At Turtle Flambeau, a camper reported, "Our site happened to have a mating pair of eagles about 50 yards from our landing." Another mentioned, "Wildlife is abundant with Bald Eagles, Loons, deer, coyotes, and sounds of wolves."

What you should know

Limited cell service: Most wilderness areas around Ironwood have minimal or no cell coverage. A camper at Union River Rustic Outpost Camp advised, "Note that there is no cell service here or really nearby. Not an issue if you're prepared for that!"

Site selection challenges: At Sylvania Wilderness, finding the right site can be difficult. One reviewer noted, "Despite the site description saying that it had easy access to trails, we were not able to find a trail leading to the site on the way in, or on the way out of camp."

Primitive facilities: Most sites feature minimal amenities. At Point Detour Wilderness Campground, a camper observed, "Sites had a fire pit and picnic table. The outhouse was a bit messy, but usable." Another mentioned, "The outhouse was a pit toilet which didn't smell too bad and was nice they had a light in it."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ironwood, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ironwood, MI is Lake McDonald Dam County Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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