Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Manistique, MI

This campground is 15 minutes away from Manistique but feels quite remote. Campsites are in a couple loops. The first one seems set up for multiple family or friend campers. A volleyball net and horseshoe pits are found here. These also had less shade. Driving towards the small boat launch will uncover a couple more sites with more privacy. We saw one camper set up there with his teardrop camper.

The river is a medium size that looks nice for canoeing. Fishing seems to be another draw. We moved on to avoid the flies but in the right season this would be a nice getaway spot.

Drove through this one yesterday and wish I would have had the camper with me to have stayed. Very buggy but beautiful views of the river. Saw some people fishing but only one camper. Locals fishing said almost no one camps here. Locals actually all banded together to take care of it to keep it from closing. I think this campground is under estimated and worth a shot. If you want remote camping with great views this is your place. Sites are mostly open but since it’s empty plenty of room to spread out. Only 6-7 miles from Manistique which has a grocery store, bait stores and ice. You could even go to the casino! I didn’t camp here but drove through and spent some time here. Bring your bug spray and fogger and enjoy the woods as it was meant to be enjoyed!

We drove up to Manistique on a Friday night; I was originally worried that we wouldn't be able to find a first-come-first-served site on a Friday, so I was mentally prepared to find another place to stay.   We arrived at 5:30 (if you're from WI, don't forget about the time zone difference!) and there were only three other campers in the three western loops.  I felt so relieved!

We stayed at site 72, which was nice and flat and a quick walk to the water and bathrooms.  Our site was so peaceful and we slept well.  I still can't get over how few people were there on a Friday in summer!

There are no flush toilets or showers at this campground, but if you needed a shower, you could go to the main park on the south shore.

We bought our firewood from a house south of the campground entrance on H455.  It was an amazing price ($5) per square of firewood, and they offered kindling bundles for a dollar.

The west campground is close to Kitch-Iti-Kipi.  After having dinner at Clyde's in Manistique (great burgers!) we visited the Big Spring.  It was almost dusk and the park was still relatively busy.  I'm glad we went at that time of day; I can imagine how crowded it must get during mid-day.  The spring was awesome, and riding the raft out and back was fun.

I would highly recommend the West campsite.  It was so peaceful.  Close to Kitch-Iti-Kipi, a short drive into Manistique, and just a little over an hour drive to Pictured Rocks.

Well set up campground with about 25 sites on a loop with maybe 30 sites for $22/night. Each site on the lake side of the loop has their own access to a path along the lake and a spot to easily tie off a boat. There are paths off the loop so that campers on the other side can access the lake path and the beach. There are also a handfull of walk in sites that I think are free, those have private lake access walks too! Toilets are clean and nicely spaced out, as is water. There is a boat launch before turning left into the camping area and to the right, a hiking trail. The ONE thing I have to say is that the mosquitos came in droves and were absolutely ravenous. We aren't sure if they fog at this place but if not, they most certainly should, at least around spring hatch time. These things were unphased by a number of citronella candles, obscene amounts of bug spray.. Cooking anything was awful.. and they drove all 4 of my brood to the brink of madness at some point or another. However, it is pretty centrally located to a number of things yo do and areas to visit! It's about 35 minutes from camp to Manistique and Kitch-Iti-Kipi. About 65 minutes to Grand Marais and some waterfalls. And about 25 minutes to Munising or Pictured Rocks and Miner's Beach, with a bunch of waterfalls along the way. Most waterfalls are easily accessed just off the road, but Sable Falls does have 168 stairs.

Despite being close to the road, Northland Outfitters is a quiet, peaceful little campground. With aonly 14 camping sites and 4 cabins, it is small. 

Our site (#6) was located right on the Manistique River. 

There is a horseshoe pit, volleyball court, canoe, and kayak rentals available. Inside the office, a game table for cards or board games is also available to those staying at the campground. 

The bathhouse and shower were clean. Additional outhouses were available near sites farther away from the bathhouse. 

There is a small camp store with basic supplies. 

The downside to this campground is many of the sites didn't have much privacy between them.