Christina A.
Scout
ScoutSunset Bay RV Resort and Campground
Amazing view of the sunset!! Rock hunting is cool! Owners are decent.
Camping near Keweenaw Bay, MI
1 campground with availability this weekend
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Keweenaw Bay, Michigan sits at the gateway to the Upper Peninsula's camping landscape, with options ranging from lakeside state parks to rustic forest sites. Baraga State Park Campground provides year-round access to Keweenaw Bay, though its proximity to US-41 creates notable highway noise. L'Anse Township Park & Campground offers a quieter alternative with higher visitor ratings and operates seasonally from May through October. Within an hour's drive, McLain State Park Campground provides direct Lake Superior shoreline access with spacious sites and scenic views. The region supports both developed campgrounds with full hookups and more remote dispersed camping options like Mouth of the Huron, where primitive sites offer greater solitude.
Winter arrives early in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with some campers reporting "full-on winter" conditions by mid-October. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for state parks, while township and city campgrounds have separate fee structures. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with McLain State Park noted for "poor to nonexistent cell signal" on Verizon networks. Road conditions can be challenging at some locations, particularly after rainfall when sites at Baraga State Park have been "submerged in water," forcing campers to relocate to drier portions of their sites. As one camper advised about dispersed sites: "The entrance to this campground is not for low clearance vehicles...it is full of HUGE flooded potholes."
Lake Superior dominates the camping experience in this region, with premium lakefront sites commanding higher fees and earlier reservations. "We had a site backed up to the lake and enjoyed the sound of Lake Superior waves," noted one visitor to Ontonagon Township Park. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with Baraga State Park frequently criticized for overcrowding. "They squeezed in WAY too many sites in this place. You can hear the campers next to you fart in their sleep," reported one frustrated camper. By contrast, McLain State Park receives praise for its "overly spacious and well disbursed" sites where "over a mile of beach gives every camper enough room to feel like the entire lake is theirs to enjoy alone." Keweenaw Bay campgrounds offer diverse camping experiences, from the highly developed sites with electric hookups to more secluded spots where campers can fully immerse in Michigan's natural beauty. Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, with water access points available at central locations.
Best Campgrounds near Keweenaw Bay (65)
1. Baraga State Park Campground
"Nice view of the lake can see at least part of it from almost anywhere in the camp. Picnic table and fire ring on every site. There are several full hook up sites (water sewer electric)."
"There’s a 3/4 mile trail at back of park that well short, is quite nice. The campground itself is quiet, the noise from hwy 41 on the other hand, is noticeable yet not a dealbreaker. "
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $80 / night
2. L'Anse Township Park & Campground
"Off the beaten path, older facility, that was so quiet & relaxing. Everything very clean and well kept. Lots of lawn areas, trees, and areas of viewing Lake Superior close by."
"Great site overlooking Lake Superior. Need to walk over highway to get to water. Very orderly and great Park Manager. Family & pet friendly with awesome playground."
3. Lake Perrault
"Great small lake for kayaking and canoeing or just sitting and watching loon and eagles. Lakeside or wooded. Nice!!! Find a place and setup."
"We stumbled upon this location through this app."
4. Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping
"The only caveats to this place were lack of privacy on the lakefront (although there seemed to be a bit more privacy in the spots by the river, but that would take away from the beauty of staying here)"
"Camp area is directly next to the water. Beautiful sunrise and sun set. Fire rings not fire pits. Port-a potties not vault toilets."
5. Constellation Farmstead
"These hosts have put so much care and thought into their property. camping space is available for tents or rvs, and there are hiking trails throughout the property."
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $40 / night
6. McLain State Park Campground
"Mclain State Park Campground is the first Campground that you will encounter upon entering the Keweenaw peninsula of Michigan."
"When we got close to the park entrance on MI 123 our GPS wanted us to go another.5 mile to the campground(CG) but a trailer was turning into a state park road so we followed."
Check Availabilityfrom $36 - $120 / night
7. Ojibwa RV Park
"Campground close to casino and lake Baraga. This is the best campground in the area."
8. Twin Lakes State Park Campground
"My family could not find anywhere to stay and this was the very last campsite on the map in the state of Michigan. We thought F it."
"Beautiful lake, great swimming, too many four wheelers. Local black bears. Close to Lake of the Clouds and the Porcupine mountains."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $32 - $80 / night
9. Hancock Recreation Area Beach & Campground
"Lower level sites near the canal would be great, but can be windy. The dump station is design with one lane, so can get a backup. Some site have had fresh gravel applied."
"You can walk down to the beach as well as some hiking trails nearby down the road. Also, it’s about a 33 minute walk to some restaurants and shops in town. Clean, heated restrooms."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $25 / night
10. Big Lake State Forest Campground
"The Michigan State Forest Campgrounds continue to delight us. For $15 a night you can experience camping like I did as a child – simple, unelectrified, and in beautiful outdoor locations."
"Way off the beaten path but the sites are HUGE! Quiet setting right on Big Lake. Probably my most beautiful site in the UP so far. Vault toilets and no shower. Very clean. Boat launch."
Drive Time
- 3 hrs 2 min from Wausau, WI
- 3 hrs 4 min from Green Bay, WI
- 3 hrs 23 min from Appleton, WI
- 3 hrs 39 min from Duluth, MN
Recent Camping Photos near Keweenaw Bay, MI
80 Photos of 65 Keweenaw Bay Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Ojibwa RV Park
L'Anse Township Park & Campground
Baraga State Park Campground
Lake PerraultC
Big Lake State Forest CampgroundT
Twin Lakes State Park Campground
Hancock Recreation Area Beach & CampgroundJ
Mouth of the Huron Dispersed CampingC
Sturgeon River Campground
Harts trail camp LLC
Craig Lake State Park Campground
Courtney Lake CampgroundR
Recent Reviews near Keweenaw Bay, MI
332 Reviews of 65 Keweenaw Bay Campgrounds
Jay W.
LegendPoint Abbaye County Park
Point Abbaye County Park is located in Baraga County. Be prepared as cellphone service is unreliable here. It is located on the Abbaye Peninsula which offers other camping spots and sandy beaches along the way! If you come into L’Anse Michigan through downtown(Main Street/Skanee Road) continue up the hill out of town. Follow this for about 10miles until you come to Townline Road. Turn left here and go 5miles until you reach Point Abbaye Road. You can only go right here, DO NOT GO STRAIGHT! There should be signs but locals often damage these signs as they don't want visitors. If you follow this road it will take you to the end. It is about a 30 min drive to the end. In the spring Point Abbaye Road can be quite muddy in places. For most of the warmer months the road is easily passable by most vehicles but there are some areas you may need to navigate around mud puddles. Point Abbaye Road is not plowed all the way to the end in winter and drivers should use caution in the late-fall as may become sloppy quickly. Point Abbaye County Park is a mix of forest and rock and pertrudes out into Lake Superior. At the end of the road there is area for parking as well as a picnic area with tables and a well kept outhouse. A short hiking trail is baracaded with rocks to keep vehicles off the hiking trail. This trail takes you to the point.
The view from Point Abbaye is FANTASTIC from the Keweenaw Bay and Peninsula to the Huron Mountains. I have seen high water levels and low water levels here, just be careful! Low water creates steep drops into Lake Superior high water means caution with the waves! On the trail ( Which loops) there are 3 campsites free of charge first come basis. All have a picnic table and make shift fire rings that sit on the shore of Lake Superior 2 on the North side and 1 on the South. It is a short walk back to the parking area if you need to use the restroom or throw out your trash. just remember this is rustic camping at its finest and please leave no trace when visiting!
Juliana J.
RangerMouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping
A Magical Place to Camp!
The only caveats to this place were lack of privacy on the lakefront (although there seemed to be a bit more privacy in the spots by the river, but that would take away from the beauty of staying here) and the fact it is an obviously well known place to camp. A bit windy, but I’m sure that’s to be expected in mid October. People were kayaking and fishing and while there were a good handful of people around, everyone was respectful and it was just an overall great experience.
- Juliana J.Ranger
Lake Perrault
Quiet, Clean and Beautiful
Beautiful lakefront camping with a few spots to choose from. Not a whole lot of space/privacy between sites once you enter the camping area, which is the only reason it did not receive 5 stars. Easy to get to and the road seemed well maintained. Verizon service was available.
- CCarmen S.Scout
Agate Beach Park Campground
Agate Beach
Nice quiet campground right on Lake Superior No electric sites
- rrichard D.
GuideLake Ste. Kathryn Campground
Beautiful in autumn
This is a typical national forest primitive campground. For me, it was the perfect middle point while driving along the seven hour plane crash trail. The sites along the lake are really beautiful. I did see a fifth-wheel camper at one of the sites so larger trailers can fit at some sites. Most sites are level but a few aren’t.
I could not find this campground in recreation.gov, so it may be first come first serve only, not sure.
There are pit toilets and hand pumps for potable water.
It’s $22 per night unless you have a senior pass, etc. they use the honor system so there is no one here at the pay station.
There are 24 sites and counting me there was only three or four in use on a Sunday night.
Ada R.GuideBrasswire Campground
Simple county campground
Nice grassy areas around spacious sites, though no trees or shrubbery between sites. Clean toilets and access to multiple trails in the adjacent forest.
- MMathew S.Guide
Lake Perrault
Decent Campsite for Free
Not a bad site but nothing special, a few clearly designated sites but mostly just open area by the lake. Nothing to complain about, it’s just not a site I’d spend much time at, great for a quick stay if you’re exploring the area and need a place to post up for a night or two.
Meghan B.LegendKing Lake State Forest Campground
King Lake State Forest Campground
Six FCFS sites make up this little slice of paradise. We arrived late afternoon on a Wednesday in mid-September and only two sites (Sites 1 and 3) were still available. Of the two, we chose Site 3, which sits up on a small hill overlooking the lake. It has a beautiful view and a short, somewhat steep path down to the boat launch. Sites 4 and 5 are the prime spots though, situated right on the lake and offering the best access to the water. The campground filled up on Thursday. After the crowds left on Sunday, we were finally able to grab one of the two lakefront sites--Site 5.
Pretty good privacy between most sites, but sound carries in this small loop. Two vault toilets. Currently $20/night. Okay cell service, surprisingly.
A small, peaceful campground with a beautiful setting made for tenters and small trailers—definitely worth getting there early if you want one of the best sites!
Just a heads up, Google Maps couldn't figure out the proper way to get here (from Marquette way, King Lake Road off of US-41). Our Garmin actually knew the best route in this instance. I recommend double-checking your route before heading this way.
Guide to Keweenaw Bay
Camping near Keweenaw Bay offers options from free dispersed sites to full-service campgrounds, with most locations situated within an hour's drive. The region features rugged forest terrain and mineral-rich soil from its copper mining history. Primitive campsite access roads can be challenging after rain, with many requiring careful navigation due to potholes that persist throughout the summer season.
What to do
Paddling opportunities: L'Anse Township Park & Campground provides direct water access for kayaking and paddleboarding on Keweenaw Bay. "Beautiful & clean. Great site overlooking Lake Superior. Need to walk over highway to get to water," notes a visitor who appreciated the orderly campground with "great Park Manager."
River exploration: At Sturgeon River Campground, campers can wade directly into the water. "You can post your chair in the river and not get your bum wet," reports one camper about Site 3. The gentle current creates a peaceful soundscape that "drowns most noises out" according to another visitor.
Winter recreation: While many campgrounds close seasonally, McLain State Park Campground remains accessible year-round with activities that shift with the seasons. "Great for bicycling, hiking, lazy days at the beach," reports one camper, while noting that "Lake superior water is cold!"
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Hancock Recreation Area Beach & Campground offers a unique camping experience with "tent sites that have lots of trees that makes it seem like you are roughin' it." Despite being city-run, campers appreciate that it's "a beautiful woodsy setting with small paths for the kids to explore."
Direct lake access: Lake Perrault provides primitive camping directly on a small lake. "Very nice n open for pulling in and doing dispersed camping, nice overview of the lake from the hill, quite too," reports one camper. Another noted, "I spent an overnight in this beautiful place. I was all alone in the campground."
Cell service zones: Unlike many rural locations, some camping areas maintain workable connectivity. At Lake Perrault, visitors report "good cell reception for Verizon and ATT." This makes it practical for travelers needing to stay connected while enjoying natural settings.
What you should know
Road quality concerns: Access roads to dispersed sites require careful driving. At Lake Perrault, "the road in is AWFUL. But slow driving is the cure for that," warns one camper. Similarly, at Sturgeon River Campground, visitors should prepare for "about a 6 mile and 15 minute drive down windy dirt road to get to the sites."
Water sources: Dispersed camping in the area typically lacks potable water. At Mouth of the Huron Dispersed Camping, one camper notes that "Lake Superior provides water for those who have the means to filter it." Come prepared with sufficient drinking water or proper filtration equipment.
Site availability patterns: Campgrounds fill predictably depending on days of the week. At L'Anse Township Park, a visitor reported they "stayed on a Wednesday and there was space available but booked solid for weekends. Filled up by 4 pm."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: L'Anse Township Park offers facilities specifically designed for children, described as "family & pet friendly with awesome playground." This provides entertainment options beyond natural features.
Swimming options: Hancock Recreation Area features "a wonderful swimming beach right next door" to the camping area, making it convenient for families with children who want water activities without a long walk.
Space configurations: Some campgrounds allow family groups to cluster together. As one camper at Hancock Recreation Area noted, there are "variety of site configurations - from remote tent pads to open areas that permit families to set up camp units close together."
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: At McLain State Park, some designated sites may be problematic for longer rigs. One camper warned, "This site was okayed for a 35 ft trailer but we had some challenges positioning our 33ft trailer so beware of that!"
Limited hookup options: Hancock Recreation Area has "limited sites that have sewer, water, and/or electric," according to a recent visitor. RVers should call ahead to confirm availability of needed connections.
Dump station design: Layout of facilities affects departure efficiency. A camper at Hancock noted, "The dump station is design with one lane, so can get a backup." Plan extra time during peak checkout periods to avoid delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in the Keweenaw Peninsula near Keweenaw Bay?
What campgrounds are available in the Keweenaw Peninsula near Keweenaw Bay?
The Keweenaw Peninsula offers several excellent camping options near Keweenaw Bay. McLain State Park Campground is situated directly on Lake Superior's shore and serves as a gateway to the peninsula with easy access to amenities. Baraga State Park Campground provides sites with views of Keweenaw Bay, though it is located near a highway. Other options include Ojibwa RV Park near Baraga and L'Anse Township Park & Campground. For those seeking a more urban setting with services, campgrounds near Houghton provide convenient access to the peninsula's attractions.
What outdoor activities can you do while camping in Keweenaw Bay?
What outdoor activities can you do while camping in Keweenaw Bay?
Keweenaw Bay offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. At Lake Linden Village Campground, you can enjoy water activities on Torch Lake and explore the nearby college town of Houghton. Van Riper State Park Campground features a nice beach, large playground, and is situated along the shores of Lake Michigamme, perfect for swimming and fishing. Throughout the region, visitors can hike scenic trails, mountain bike, fish in numerous lakes and streams, hunt (in season), kayak along Lake Superior's shoreline, photograph waterfalls, and explore the area's rich copper mining history.
When is the best season to camp at Keweenaw Bay?
When is the best season to camp at Keweenaw Bay?
Summer (June-August) is the prime camping season at Keweenaw Bay, offering warm days ideal for swimming and water activities. Ontonagon Township Park and Campground fills up quickly during this peak season, highlighting its popularity. Early fall (September-early October) provides a spectacular alternative with colorful foliage and fewer crowds. Big Lake State Forest Campground is particularly beautiful in mid-October when fall colors peak. Late spring can be enjoyable but prepare for variable weather and potential blackfly season. Winter camping is available for experienced campers but requires proper cold-weather gear and preparation.
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