3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Campgrounds in Marquette, Michigan span from established municipal facilities to rustic forest sites, with most offering both tent and RV camping. Marquette Tourist Park Campground provides over 100 electric sites and 38 full hookup sites within city limits, while Rippling Rivers RV Resort offers cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping options. Public lands surrounding the area include smaller developed campgrounds like Forestville with 15 tent sites and primitive options like Kona Hills with 40 sites. Several facilities maintain proximity to Lake Superior beaches and inland water features, with varying levels of amenity access and privacy.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May to October, with limited winter availability. The Ojibwa Casino RV Park remains open year-round for RV campers, though with reduced amenities. Several visitors noted the variable weather conditions typical of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. As one camper stated, "We have been camping every Labor Day at Marquette Tourist Park for about 8 years. We come up from mid Michigan for Marquette's Blues Fest." The area experiences cool temperatures even during summer months, making it a popular destination for those seeking relief from heat. Cell service is generally strong near established campgrounds, though more remote forest sites may have limited connectivity.
Campgrounds near Marquette generally receive high ratings for their proximity to outdoor recreation and urban amenities. Rippling Rivers RV Resort earned praise for its mountain bike trail access, with one visitor noting, "Great campground, very close to downtown Marquette and right in/on a huge mountain bike park." Waterfront camping locations are particularly popular, with several developed campgrounds offering river or lake views. Sites with full hookups tend to book quickly during peak summer months. Many campers appreciate the balance of natural settings with convenient access to downtown Marquette, which is typically 10-20 minutes from most camping areas. The region's combination of outdoor recreation and proximity to urban amenities makes it a versatile destination for various camping styles.
"We have been camping every Labor Day at Marquette Tourist Park for about 8 years. We come up from the mid Michigan area for Marquette’s Blues Fest."
"Very nice campground with old growth trees located in the city of Marquette. Close to bike paths and mountain bike trails. Nice beach area."
from $35 - $55 / night
"Rippling River is a really nice campground, very close to downtown Marquette and right in/on a huge mountain bike park."
"Stayed here while visiting Marquette! Honestly, the campground is not the best. Most sites too open.
We did enjoy the pool and hot tub... plus the walk up bar with pizza."
from $40 - $50 / night
"Great spot if you’re looking for something near to, but away from Marquette."
"This is by far the best campground in Marquette. Rustic sites only, this is the trail head to a network of snowshoeing, biking, and hiking trails."
from $25 / night
"Nice, clean, quiet right on the lake. Full hookups, level sites and lots of room for large gatherings at the party pit. A short drive to Marquette."
"You can walk across the street to the beach along Lake Superior and are drive distance to Black Rock and Pictured Rock. They even have a brewery in the campground."
"Great spot in the city of Marquette, Michigan, on the northern edge of the Upper Peninsula. Stayed two nights during the week of the 4th of July, and there were plenty of open sites."
"Access to trails is very convenient and close to town"
"This park is located about 15 minutes from the town of Marquette and is a great alternative if you can’t get a site in the Marquette Tourist Park (which is closer to town and very popular in the summer"
"This is our 2nd time staying & both were because of its convenience to ‘civilization’ not to get away from it."
from $35 - $51 / night
"Note that you can hear the highway from this site. But nice campground if you want to stay close to Marquette."
"Very neat property with small sites tucked away, nice picnic table and fire ring. Definitely would return."
from $45 / night
"There are no trees for shade, but this is Marquette Michigan, where it’s unusual to get into the 80s during the summertime."
"It’s a work in progress but brand new, all gravel no tree all pull thru easy setup sites, 20/30/50amp electric, water & sewer, new bathrooms, showers, washer & dryer coming soon, it’s near the"
from $35 / night
"Huge parking lot off the highway, so no road noise. Casino is a bit smoky, but not that bad. It is mostly slots, but still fun. $20 free play when you sign up. Nice little restaurant and bar."
"Nice grassy areas around spacious sites, though no trees or shrubbery between sites. Clean toilets and access to multiple trails in the adjacent forest."
"Quiet rustic campground located on the RAMBA Mountain Bike Trail System"
from $25 / night
ScoutGreat spot, easy to get to. Could only find two pull off spots which are both relatively small, and only one has a fire pit in good condition so you’d need to build back up the other a bit. Very convenient spot that met all my needs
GuideThis campground is located directly on Lake Superior and operated by the city of Munising. It has 100 RV sites and 22 tent sites. About 1/4 of the RV sites provide water, sewer, and 50/30/20 electrical hookups. The rest of the RV sites provide shared water spigots (with both line pressure and with pressure reducers) and shared 30/20 electrical pedestals. Depending on the site, the water or electrical hookups may require an extension cord or another hose length to reach your RV. The campground is quite open, only the tent sites have any privacy. Do to lack of obstructions, I saw several starlink antennas on rigs..... The campground offers decent wifi and two very nice bath houses with flush toilets and showers. It also offers a dump station on site with tank flush and potable water fill stations. A beautiful sandy beach fronts the campground. One negative is that Michigan Hwy 28 runs past the campground and it has plenty of traffic at all hours.
We visited with plans to take a Pictured Rocks boat tour, but 3 days of gale force winds scrubbed those plans. The boat tours were canceled.
LegendPoint 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!
ScoutPerfect spot to pull off and camp for the night or weekend! Big pull in area where we stayed for the night, there was one other person but we stopped once we noticed the fresh tracks and didn’t go any further back. Perfect overnight spot.
RangerThe 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.
GuideThis is probably the CG I was least excited about. The site seemed overcrowded with not much separation between sites. Just a big open park, next to a lake crammed with people. The staff were friendly when I called to reserve a site and were bang on when I requested one with WiFi. Because there were no tent camping sites I got one with electrical hook ups and at least recovered some of that cost plugging in my EV. But the adjoining site had a ginormous tent and a boisterous group and CD were less than five feet from my electric box.
I didn’t use them but the sower area was spacious and the bathrooms weren’t dirty.
By far the least fav CG I’ve stayed at on this trip and would look elsewhere next time but truth be told I’ve stayed at some great places. Stayed 10/2.
GuideWe stayed here on our last night, this beach was amazing! The site is set back really nice, the latrine is not very private and can be seen from both sites near. Other than that it has a bear pole and box and was very spacious, would stay again!
GuideStayed a night here while hiking the island, you do have to walk to the beach to get water but its close. There is only a bear pole not a box but it was fine. The latrine was fine but the privacy screen is a little too short.
GuideMy boyfriend and I spent 3 nights on the island in the beginning of October, this was our favorite site! There is a fully enclosed toilet near by, a day use area where you can drop trash and your right on the beach. It was windy but it's a beach site. However the cell service was spotty for me.
Camping near Marquette, Michigan offers access to both rustic forest sites and developed campgrounds within the western Upper Peninsula. Most sites sit at elevations between 600-1,200 feet, contributing to the region's cooler temperatures even during summer months. The camping season typically runs May through October, with average summer highs rarely exceeding 80°F and nights often dropping into the 50s.
Hiking the North Country Trail: The North Country Trail passes through Forestville Campground and connects to numerous local trails. "Sites are heavily wooded, it would be difficult to navigate a camper here, but it's great for tents! Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Bathrooms are fine, basic pit toilets. Potable water on the side of the barn plus firewood for a price. Peaceful and pretty," notes one visitor at Forestville Campground.
Mountain biking: Rippling Rivers RV Resort provides direct access to Marquette's extensive trail network. "If you love mountain biking or hiking you stay here. Period. You are right on the trails. Bathrooms and showers are nice. If you have little ones the grom trail rims next to the top camp site. We love going here," writes one camper at Rippling Rivers RV Resort.
Lake activities: Van Riper State Park offers swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities. "Swam and paddled on Lake Michigamme for hours. Huge beach with volleyball net. Large bathhouse with private shower rooms. Huge playground. Overlook hiking trail was awesome, minus the bugs!" reports a camper at Van Riper State Park Campground.
Easy town access: Many campgrounds provide a balance of natural settings with proximity to urban conveniences. "This campground is in Marquette, near Northern Michigan University. But once you're camped there, you won't feel like you're in one of the largest cities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula," notes a camper about Marquette Tourist Park Campground.
Waterfront camping: Several campgrounds offer sites near rivers or lakes. "We camped right on the lake at number #13 which is the last site towards the back of the camp ground. Great fishing right off the waters edge, swimming and paddle boarded the lake as well. Super close to downtown Marquette, like a 10 minute bike ride," shares a visitor at Marquette Tourist Park Campground.
Cabin options: For those without tents or RVs, cabin rentals provide alternative accommodations. "We stayed in a basic cabin - and were astounded at how clean they were and how good they smelled - like fresh cut wood! The bathrooms were the same, and the button lock entry to cabin, bathroom and shower room is an excellent touch," reports a guest at Rippling Rivers RV Resort.
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Because you're near a major UP city, you have access to plenty of shopping and services if you need them, plus there is great (Verizon) cellular service in the campground. The park wifi is a bit weak depending on where you are at in relation to the office, but we used our wifi booster and had smooth sailing," explains a camper at Marquette Tourist Park Campground.
Reservation timing: During peak summer months, especially July and August, securing campsites requires advance planning. "Even though the signs said it was full, we rolled the dice anyhow and ended up getting a cancelation site for free!" shares one lucky camper, though this experience is uncommon during busy periods.
Site conditions: Terrain varies widely between campgrounds. "The sites are generally spacious and they have a lot of options to choose from based on what rig you have and how you like to camp. The sites aren't paved, so rainy days could lead to some mud to deal with," notes a camper about Marquette Tourist Park Campground.
Playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "My kids made some of their best memories ever camping here. Lots of families, positive environment. Clean campground and park, helpful staff. Huge playground," shares a parent about Country Village RV Park.
Water activities: Swimming areas provide entertainment for children. "At the beach there is a concession stand. The park offers areas for boating, kayaking, and jet skiing, and fishing," notes a visitor at Van Riper State Park Campground.
Educational opportunities: Several nearby attractions offer learning experiences for children. "During your visit to the park there are lots of scenic, historic, and recreational sites to visit. A few miles from the park is the location of where Iron ore was first found in the Lake Superior region. There is an Iron Industry Museum," explains a visitor to Van Riper State Park.
Site selection: Choose sites based on hookup needs and rig size. "Only the FHU sites on the perimeter have paved camper pads, all others are either dirt, grass, or a combo. The electric sites closest to the Dead River are, although wide and fairly deep, still in an open grassy area with very few trees so don't count on shade," advises an RVer at Marquette Tourist Park Campground.
Hookup placement: Be prepared for variable utility configurations. "The hook-ups are not laid out conveniently on some sites which requires extra hoses and electric cords," notes a camper at Marquette Tourist Park Campground.
Level sites: Gitche Gumee RV Park & Campground offers prepared RV pads. "The sites are well maintained and we required no additional leveling. Sturdy and maintained picnic table at each site. Electric at our site -39- was error free. Water pressure is excellent," reports one RVer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free or dispersed camping available near Marquette, MI?
While designated free camping is limited near Marquette, Forestville Campground offers a newer developed option that some campers have discovered while exploring forest roads near the area. It provides a good balance of being close to Marquette while still feeling removed from the bustle. For those willing to venture a bit further, Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park in Gwinn (about 18 miles from Marquette) offers a well-maintained, quiet option tucked into the woods with hiking trails. Many campers use these less crowded alternatives when Marquette's popular campgrounds are full.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Marquette, Michigan?
The prime camping season in Marquette runs from late spring through early fall, with July and August offering the warmest temperatures for swimming and water activities. Many locals consider Labor Day weekend an excellent time to visit, as evidenced by regular campers at Tourist Park Campground who return annually for Marquette's Blues Fest during this time. Early summer can be pleasant with fewer crowds, as some campers report plenty of open sites even during the July 4th holiday week. Fall brings spectacular colors to the region, making September an ideal time for those who prefer cooler temperatures and scenic beauty around areas like Perkins Park & Campground.
What are the best campgrounds in Marquette, Michigan for tent camping?
For tent camping in Marquette, Marquette Tourist Park Campground offers a prime location with old growth trees, a nice beach area, and proximity to both bike paths and downtown attractions. The park features large sites and recently remodeled restrooms. Another excellent option is Little Lake State Forest Campground, which provides a quieter, more secluded experience away from crowds. This peaceful campground is conveniently located near Laughing Whitefish Falls while still being accessible to Marquette and Presque Isle, making it perfect for tent campers seeking a more natural setting.
What RV camping facilities are available in the Marquette area?
The Marquette area offers several well-equipped RV facilities. Rippling Rivers RV Resort features amenities including a pool, hot tub, and walk-up bar with pizza. Located close to downtown and within a mountain bike park, it offers a creek-side setting with a patio area. For RVers seeking spacious accommodations, Country Village RV Park provides large, level sites that can accommodate bigger rigs. Located about 15 minutes from Marquette off US-41, this clean, well-maintained park serves as an excellent alternative when other campgrounds are full. Both parks offer full hookups and convenient access to Marquette's attractions.
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