Christina A.
Scout
ScoutSunset Bay RV Resort and Campground
Amazing view of the sunset!! Rock hunting is cool! Owners are decent.
Glamping near Isle Royale National Park, MI
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Isle Royale National Park houses several cabin glamping options accessible primarily by boat or hiking trails. Three Mile Campground and Daisy Farm Campground feature rustic cabin structures that provide protection from the elements while maintaining an immersive wilderness experience. Rock Harbor Campground offers similar shelter accommodations with the added convenience of potable water on tap, market access, and toilet facilities. These glamping cabins are first-come, first-served, with no reservations accepted, creating an authentic backcountry boutique camping experience within the remote island setting. The cabins typically include wooden sleeping platforms and provide essential shelter from Lake Superior's unpredictable weather. One visitor noted, "The shelters at Rock Harbor Campground were especially welcoming to us at the end of our 40-mile trek across Isle Royale, providing good protection from the rain and a place to spread out."
McCargoe Cove's glamping options include secluded cabin shelters spaced well apart for privacy, with several positioned near the shoreline for magnificent views of the cove. The campground features a shared fire ring by the water, vault toilets, and a dock where the ferry arrives several times weekly. Wildlife sightings are common, with many guests encountering the resident fox and local waterfowl. Shelter interiors include wooden boards along the walls for hanging and drying wet items, while the screened front provides protection from insects during buggy seasons. A recent visitor mentioned, "Some sites with shelters and some sites without. If you can get a site on the water, best lake access on the island. The shelters are similar to the other ones on the island." These glamping pods require no advance reservations but fill quickly during peak season.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Isle Royale National Park (7)
1. McCargoe Cove Campground — Isle Royale National Park
"A small group of family and friends left the luxuries of home to backpack thirty miles in Isle Royale National Park."
"That being said, there are nice tent sites and some really cool tent/cabin structures. It wasn't super buggy while we were here so being in a tent was just fine."
2. Daisy Farm Campground — Isle Royale National Park
"Still beautiful, has fire rings, has a shelter/pavilion, just not as secluded as others."
"There are a few bathrooms a short distance from the shelters but they are a little hard to find the further east you get. The campsite also has a dock with a great view of the lake."
3. Three Mile Campground — Isle Royale National Park
"easy and quick hike from Rock Harbor, campsites are secluded and great access to Lake Superior. out houses are not as well maintained as they are at other campgrounds."
"Three Mile may be one of the closest campgrounds to Rock Harbor, but it's actually more secluded as Daisy Farm seems to be the more popular destination for the first night."
4. Todd Harbor Campground — Isle Royale National Park
"The area is well shaded and there was a large group fire pit in the middle of the campground area. Super quiet spot with several tent sites and a cabin type tent, but it was occupied when we arrived."
"The breeze from Lake Superior kept the bugs down and the campsite had awesome views of the lake."
5. Chippewa Harbor Campground — Isle Royale National Park
"Only a few shelters and we got the last one on Tuesday afternoon we arrived. The shelters are similar to the other ones on the island."
6. Rock Harbor Campground — Isle Royale National Park
"The shelters at Rock Harbor Campground were especially welcoming to us at the end of our 40-mile trek across Isle Royale in June 2016. We started in Grand Portage, Minnesota, and ferried to Windigo."
"Campground is right outside of the rock harbor port. There are bathrooms with flush toilets at the port and outhouses in the campground."
7. Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground
"The campground was almost empty, so we had anything we wanted, and majority of the options were on the lake!"
"Found this place to be very welcoming."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $50 / night
Recent Glamping Photos near Isle Royale National Park
7 Photos of 7 Isle Royale National Park Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Isle Royale National Park
39 Reviews of 7 Isle Royale National Park Campgrounds
Tori K.
LegendDaisy Farm Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Lake views
Some sites with shelters and some sites without. The squirrels here are fearless and will try to steal your food or garbage when you are sitting right there. Campground was a little difficult to navigate due to some flooding on the trails. This was my favorite campsite out of all the ones I stayed at on the island due to the proximity to Lake Superior and the fact that we were able to snag one of the sites with a shelter that was 'lakefront'. No fires allowed in this campground. Picnic table provided at most if not all sites.
- Tori K.Legend
Rock Harbor Campground — Isle Royale National Park
close to harbor
Campground is right outside of the rock harbor port. There are bathrooms with flush toilets at the port and outhouses in the campground. There is a store with souvenirs and food items and beverages(finally got a much deserved cold beer after our 50 mile, 5 day hike across the island!). most sites had shelters and a picnic table was provided. You have to stay in the shelter unless not everybody can fit in there, and honestly the site we had would’ve been hard to pitch a tent outside. Getting to this campground later in the day, you may find that all the sites are taken and may end up sharing one of the sites without shelters with others. This site only allows 1 consecutive night stays due to it being popular with those just getting to the island and those preparing to leave the next day.
Stephen L.ScoutSunset Bay RV Resort and Campground
Just awesome
This place is way off the beaten path. Long dirt road to get back here. There are tent sites all along the beach front to watch the sunset and pick rocks. Most sites are fairly level. I feel like we got one of the only ones that wasn't but I'm not real picky. @ramblinsmurf
- JJeremy B.
TravelerSunset Bay RV Resort and Campground
Great location. Friendly Hosts.
We really liked this campground mostly for its location and beautiful beach on Lake Superior. It has a long driveway that is gravel and all of the campground loops are also gravel or sand so it can be a little dusty. The lake shore sites have beautiful, full views of the lake but just know that many sites will be a tight fit for larger rigs. We have a 26' travel trailer and stayed in the newer loop a little ways away from the beach. It didn't bother us as it was easier to park and a very short walk to enjoy the beautiful sunsets this campground is all about.
Amy G.LegendMcCargoe Cove Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Lots of shelters and sites and this one has a group fire ring!
This is a lovely campground on Isle Royale - none of them are terrible (let's face it - you are on a gorgeous island that's basically untouched!), but this one is a little larger than some with more shelters than others.
Shelters - they are first come first served. If the campground is uber full, the policy and expectation is that you consider sharing with others, especially if you are a party of one or two. Not a bad policy and courteous, for sure. But this didn't happen when we were here. Each shelter is four sided with the front side "screened in" for bugs. This is lovely in buggy weather! There are also boards all over the inside (parallel to the floor around the walls) that are great for hanging and airing out wet items. Each one had a picnic table and trees and was a very short walk to water and a toilet.
Tent pads - there are separate tent areas that are away from shelters, for the most part. Nothing is "close" here so there is quite a bit of room.
Group - there are three group areas. If using group areas on a normal basis, you must have a group reservation and groups of more than 6 require this in advance. Three group areas all near to each other but with nice green buffers in between and a toilet to share between them.
Toilets - not fancy but offer privacy. Small wooden shelters with a metal toilet and a pit. **NOTE: they do not provide TP - you must take your own** They don't smell like roses (what pit toilet does?) but they allow privacy and no need to dig a cat hole. Bonus win win.
This is one of only a handful of camps on the island that has a fire pit! It's a shared fire (not one for each site) with picnic tables nearby and a lovely view of the water. Only collect downed wood (no bigger than your wrist) to burn.
As others have mentioned - there is a very nice dock here since a boat comes a few times a week with passengers. This is a "stop" for drop offs from the mainland (you must book this boat in advance to get here). So it's a great place to chill in the breeze, do a bit of yoga stretching, dry your socks, enjoy an evening coffee or fall over after hiking - lol.
***Be aware - there are leeches in the lake. We attempted to splash off a bit and noticed them.***
Oh yes - the camp fox. He/she is a regular here. We saw the fox many times. Not afraid of people, will steal your stuff (including shoes) so be careful, tie your drying shoes to the picnic table, and do not feed the wildlife. But it it a beautiful specimen of an animal!
Jason H.
RangerThree Mile Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Three Mile Campground Site 10
We ended up staying 5 days at Three Mile and day hiking from there. Shelter 10 was available on the 2nd day and it was just as amazing as it was when I was here last. This time we even had a camp fox!
Ethan S.TravelerMcCargoe Cove Campground — Isle Royale National Park
McCargoe Cove is Beautiful
McCargoe is one of the most beautiful campgrounds on the island. I have heard that it can get busy due to the dock, but when I stayed there it was quite peaceful and solitary. A loon was swimming in the cove and we came across a cow moose just south on the trail.
- Ethan S.Traveler
Daisy Farm Campground — Isle Royale National Park
Daisy is Big and Busy, But Still Pretty Good
Not my favorite campground on Isle Royale due to its size and popularity. There's a good chance you won't get your first-choice site, you can end up quite far from a water source, and some open meadow can make you feel closer to other groups. Still beautiful, has fire rings, has a shelter/pavilion, just not as secluded as others.
Guide to Isle Royale National Park
Isle Royale National Park offers rustic cabin camping across several sites on the 45-mile long island, which sits in the northwest corner of Lake Superior. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-70°F with frequent fog and rain, while nights can drop into the 40s even in July. Water-based transportation is required to access all cabin accommodations as no roads connect to the mainland.
What to do
Hike to observation points: The trail from Daisy Farm Campground leads to scenic viewpoints overlooking Lake Superior. "The campground has a number of shelters and we had no problems finding an available one... The campsite also has a dock with a great view of the lake. We ate dinner out at the beach and spent the afternoon relaxing on the dock, talking to other backpackers," notes Alexa S. from Daisy Farm Campground.
Explore mining ruins: Historical mining sites near Three Mile Campground provide interesting day trip opportunities. "The trail that connects on either side of the campground is made up of huge rock slabs that are just feet away from Lake Superior, and there's old mining grounds just West of the Three Mile campground that are fun to walk around, just be aware of bees!" warns Alexa S.
Wildlife watching: Many campers report frequent fox and moose sightings around the cabin structures. "A loon was swimming in the cove and we came across a cow moose just south on the trail," reports Ethan S. about his experience at McCargoe Cove. The area's isolation creates ample opportunities for wildlife observation.
What campers like
Group gathering areas: Unlike many dispersed camping locations, some Isle Royale sites feature communal spaces. "This is one of only a handful of camps on the island that has a fire pit! It's a shared fire (not one for each site) with picnic tables nearby and a lovely view of the water," explains Amy G. about McCargoe Cove Campground.
Lake access for swimming: The cabin locations with direct shore access are particularly valued. "After hiking in from West Chickenbone, we were in need of cool swim as the interior of the island can be much warmer than the coast, not to mention the arid conditions throughout making it difficult to find water," shares Jason H. from Daisy Farm.
Shelter design features: The cabin structures include practical design elements for backcountry conditions. "There are boards all over the inside (parallel to the floor around the walls) that are great for hanging and airing out wet items. Each one had a picnic table and trees and was a very short walk to water and a toilet," describes Amy G. about the shelters at McCargoe Cove.
What you should know
Water treatment requirements: Lake Superior water requires careful treatment before consumption. "The Park Service recommends treating your drinking water in two ways (i.e., filter AND boil, chemically treat AND filter, some combination of two). The water is refreshing but there are leaches in addition to abundant bird poop," warns Sarah C. from McCargoe Cove.
No reservations system: All yurt camping at Rock Harbor Campground and other Isle Royale locations operates on a first-come basis. "Stayed in a shelter (there are 9) - they are no additional cost. There was one open when we got in on a Saturday afternoon in late June," reports Ann E.
One-night limits: Some cabin sites restrict stays. "This site only allows 1 consecutive night stays due to it being popular with those just getting to the island and those preparing to leave the next day," explains Tori K. about Rock Harbor Campground.
Weather protection varies: Not all shelters provide equal protection from storms. "We arrived on the island during a rainstorm. One of our friends wasn't feeling so well, so instead of making it to Daisy Farm, we stopped here. We scrambled for a shelter, but the only shelter with room for 3 people was right on the water and the wind, rain, and mist from the lake sprayed right inside," cautions Nicole L. from Three Mile.
Tips for camping with families
Toilet preparations: Facilities are primitive and require planning. "Toilets - not fancy but offer privacy. Small wooden shelters with a metal toilet and a pit. NOTE: they do not provide TP - you must take your own. They don't smell like roses (what pit toilet does?) but they allow privacy and no need to dig a cat hole," advises Amy G. about McCargoe Cove.
Food storage precautions: Wildlife presents challenges for food security. "The squirrels here are fearless and will try to steal your food or garbage when you are sitting right there," warns Tori K. about Daisy Farm Campground.
Natural hazards awareness: Children need supervision around water. "Be aware - there are leeches in the lake. We attempted to splash off a bit and noticed them," cautions Amy G. about swimming at McCargoe Cove.
Tips from RVers
Ferry planning: While no RV camping exists on Isle Royale, mainland options like Sunset Bay RV Resort and Campground can serve as staging areas. "This place is way off the beaten path. Long dirt road to get back here. There are tent sites all along the beach front to watch the sunset and pick rocks," notes Stephen L.
Offsite supply options: Before boarding ferries to yurt camping at Isle Royale, stock up. "There's a camp store that has limited supplies but have the essentials. Everything is based on the honor system," explains RJ W. about nearby Sunset Bay RV Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Isle Royale National Park?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Isle Royale National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Isle Royale National Park is McCargoe Cove Campground — Isle Royale National Park with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find
glamping camping near
Isle Royale National Park?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Isle Royale National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 glamping camping locations near Isle Royale National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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