Upper Peninsula camping near Kinross offers significantly more rustic experiences compared to glamping options, with many sites providing direct access to Lake Superior's shoreline. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer averages 75°F with mosquitoes peaking in June-July. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through mid-October when road conditions and weather permit vehicle access to more remote sites.
What to do
Lake Superior beaches: Bay View Campground provides immediate beach access for swimming and stone collecting. "Searching for fun stones on the shore & relaxing by the fire was bliss. Great spot. Hidden gem," notes Valerie D., who appreciated the walk-in sites near the forested beach.
Explore shipwrecks: Historical shipwrecks in the bay near Bay View have been preserved for tourists and history enthusiasts. "There are sandy beaches and shipwrecks in the bay which have been preserved for tourists and history geeks," explains James D., who recommends bringing foil for the campsite grills.
Boat watching: Aune-Osborn Campground offers direct views of Great Lakes freighters navigating the St. Mary's River. "This campground is owned by the City of Sault Ste Marie and they do a beautiful job of keeping it clean and well maintained. I come here to watch the boats come and go to the locks," shares Elizabeth C.
Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking opportunities, particularly around Tahquamenon Falls. "Great hiking, obvious beautiful falls, and quiet!" remarks Felix K. about the Lower Falls Campground trails.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Brevoort Lake Campground features lakeside sites popular with fishers and swimmers. "Many sites right on the lake. Clean restrooms, attended often," notes Devora D. The lake is accessible directly from the campground with boat launch facilities available.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention clean bathrooms and showers as a highlight at many Upper Peninsula campgrounds. "The bathhouse is one of the nicest I've ever seen at a campground," reports Ashleigh M. about Aune-Osborn RV Park, though she noted tent campers sometimes felt unwelcome among RV owners.
Winter activities: Some campgrounds remain open year-round for winter sports enthusiasts. "Snowmobiled, snowshoed, hiked, cross countries, oh and nice waterfalls," explains Michael T. about his winter experience at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites, especially at Bay Mills Casino RV Campground. "The newer side of the park has large spaces with plenty of room to stretch. No crazy rules here. Laundry machines are only 1.25 a load and the dryer actually dries," writes Master R.
What you should know
Limited hookups: Many campgrounds have restricted or no hookup options. "No water/sewer. Minimal ATT cell service. Level lot, busy on weekend," reports Beth B. about her stay at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Weather preparedness: The Upper Peninsula experiences significant temperature fluctuations, even in summer. "Being from WI going to the UP is a must. Camping here even in the summer requires warm clothes. The wind coming in from Lake Superior is cold," cautions Wesley R.
Reservation systems: Several campgrounds have transitioned to online-only booking systems. "Have to register online and unfortunately pay an $8 processing fee on top of the campsite fee," explains Cheryl K. about Sherman Park's reservation process.
Yurt camping Kinross, Michigan area: For alternatives to traditional tent camping near Kinross, Tiki RV Park & Campground offers yurt accommodations with modern amenities. "We decided to splurge on a yurt for our first camping trip of the summer. Well worth it! We stayed in 'Kai' one of the newest yurts. Complete with electricity, indoor and outdoor string lights, two deck chairs, a heater, a queen sized bed, and an electric kettle with pour over coffee supplies," shares Meaghan G.
Tips for camping with families
Community activities: Some campgrounds provide shared games and activities for children. "He had a community box of games that we could use during our stay. We used sand buckets and shovels to play with during our stay," says Melissa A. about Bay View Campground, where the host made their family feel welcome.
Swimming options: Mackinaw City KOA offers heated pools for children when lake water is too cold. "The pool was great for swimming, and Mackinaw City is a great place to walk around and explore! Also recommend visiting the Headlands Dark Sky Park about 10 mins away, awesome views of the stars over Lake Michigan," suggests Emma W.
Kid-friendly yurt stays: The yurt camping options near Kinross provide a comfortable introduction to camping for families with young children. "If you're looking for a great place to vacation with your motorhome and enjoy some gambling, Bay Mills Casino RV Campground is the perfect choice! The amenities here are amazing," remarks Vinicius B.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature playground equipment. "They had a small playground for the kids. There was also a nice heated pool for them to swim in," notes Glynnis A. about Mackinaw City KOA's family-friendly amenities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Check hookup locations before selecting sites. "Some of the hook-ups at sites are crazy. Our water was nearly 50 feet away and some are on the wrong side," warns Nancy W. about Aune-Osborn Campground.
Site selection strategy: For RVers wanting privacy, specific site recommendations can help. "The site supervisor was an awesome guy, we had a nice conversation. Site #9 is probably the best in the park as it is on the end, has a great view and more privacy," shares Michael R. about his stay at Bay View.
Ferry accessibility: When visiting Mackinac Island from an RV, Loons Point RV Park & Campground provides convenient ferry access. "Wonderful staff! Beautiful views! We will be back!" notes Amy S. about Loons Point's location and helpful management.
Power reliability: Not all campgrounds deliver consistent electricity. "It is a grassy field with unreliable power. It was super hot and the park wasn't even half full, yet our AC kept going out due to the power," cautions Stacey R. about her experience at Bay Mills.
