Do you enjoy camping but don't want to rough it? Glamping is a great option. Glamping offers the perfect opportunity to explore Marquette and stay off the beaten path. These scenic and easy to access Michigan glamping locations are perfect for any adventurer.
Located in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the shores of Lake Superior lies the Munising Tourist Park Campground. This City owned campground was established in 1924 and has long since been a stopping point for campers visiting pictured rocks. With its unique location on Lake Superior it gives campers the ability to recreate on Lake Superior while experiencing breathtaking views. The campground is just 3 miles west of Munising where campers will find boat rides such as Pictured Rocks Cruises, Glass Bottom Boat Cruises’s and the Riptide Ride all located within 3 miles of the campground. Our location provides for day trips to Marquette, Grand Marais and Taquamenon Falls all within an hours drive without having to haul your camper!
$29 - $45 / night
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
$20 - $34 / night
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
$20 - $200 / night
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
YURTS Though generally classified as a tent, the yurt is much stronger and weather tight and is a circular structure that consists of a durable fabric cover, tension band and a wood frame that includes a lattice wall, radial rafters, central compression ring, sky dome, and a framed lockable door. CABINS Our sleeping cabins are meant for the outdoor-minded person on the go. With Lake Superior a short walk from your doorstep, it’s hard to resist the urge to play on the beach! PLATFORM TENTS Built on a wood deck with a ridged center pole, side walls, and mosquito netting, they offer an experience like none other here in the Upper Peninsula. Each tent has a single and a double bunk, futon, refrigerator table and chairs, and a front facing deck with deck settee or rocking chair. Yurts, Cabins, Wall Tents and Tent sites are available for rental in the Paddlers Village. Restrooms and showers are located in a community building along with a dish washing station. We also have several grills, picnic tables and fire rings for your enjoyment. Relax on the beach with great views of Grand Island and Lake Superior. Paddler’s Village is located on Lake Superior at the western gateway to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Island in the Hiawatha National Forest. Munising, Michigan is only 2 miles east of the village and has several gift shops, restaurants, and adventure companies. Nearby, are the Tahquamenon Falls, Grand Marias, Marquette, and the Mackinac Island area is only 2 hours to the southeast.
Guide
Landed here after trying unsuccessfully to camp along Lake Superior (everything full). It’s a sweet little campground: quiet, dark and removed from the crowds. Close to Laughing Whitefish Falls and also not far from Marquette and Presque Isle. Recommend all!
Guide
We love Tourist Park, and will definitely be coming back! It’s on the back side of the city of Gwinn, which is a smaller more run down little town, 18 miles from Marquette. But this little campground is well kempt! Quiet and relaxing, tucked in the woods with a nice hiking trail, picnic tables, swimming area, full hookups or rustic sites. The only down side is that they are by reservation only. No ‘walk-in’s’ if you will.
Guide
Paddlers Village was a nice, small, clean campground right on Lake Superior. We stayed in a Yurt, and had a good experience. The campground offers nice showers, a sink to wash dishes, trash cans.. all the amenities. The yurts are just steps from lake superior, and they have a nice rock beach (we filtered the water there and it was awesome) and a pier going out into the water. We had great sunrises. Each yurt is equipped with bunk beds and a futon (sleeps 5), mini fridge, power... definitely glamping :) Just bring your own sleeping bag, etc.
You can also rent kayaks from there to go out into lake superior. We were not able to do that because it stormed, but they say you can get to Pictured Rocks - that would be VERY FAR.
One thing to note - there was a HUGE thunderstorm while we were there, and we stayed totally dry and secure in the yurt. It was an ideal night to be there with that happening.
The only negative of the place is really just the tight proximity to other campers. there is not a ton of room, so we could hear people talking outside into the night.
GuideA treat to fall asleep in one of the yurts to the sound of the waves lapping the shore. The tents are great, too. Prime sunrise spot on the beach with coffee — view of Grand Island. Clean, friendly, a fun experience. Lots of cool rock picking by the dock. Fun to stay in the beginning/end of season for a quieter stay, otherwise enjoy a neighborhood feeling campground :) highly recommend the kayaking tours that this company also gives along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Scout
It’s a County Park in Big Bay on beautiful Lake Independence. They have full hook up sites to primitive sites.
You can walk/ride bikes to a convenience store, gas station, laundry, and restaurant. Golf driving range behind the convenience store, bucket of balls $5 and you don’t have to pick them up.
Marquette is a 30 minute drive.
Guide
This is my absolute favorite place to camp, hike, kayak, fish, and just get away from it all. If you want seclusion, you can find it here with many remote campsites that are only accessible through the water or overland by hiking the trails in the park.
The park has 2 rustic cabins and 2 yurts for rent that are a fantastic getaway and a great place to take your spouse.
The wildlife include loons, eagles, bears, moose, deer and others. The lake has fantastic fishing for smallmouth, northern pike, crappie, walleye, and the occasional musky.
I CAN’T WAIT TO GO BACK!
GuideWe got one of the spots closer to the road but turned out great! These spots don't have quite the lake view but seem to feel more quiet and secluded. The lake views were gorgeous, amenities fine. We found this after leaving another spot closer to Marquette that felt uninviting despite all the reviews. We were so glad we took a chance and found this place instead!
TravelerWe stayed in our tents at this site. The sites are reasonably sized and well described on the county website, even details about how level each site is. There seem to be sites available for all sizes. Showers are great ($.25 for 6 minutes) and bathrooms are really clean. Great park for kids, boating (kayaking, etc). Laundry facility is outside the camp (private) but worth noting.
Close to Lake Superior, just off of the Circle Tour. Marquette is within 30 min.
Views of Lake Independence from nearly each site and beautiful sunrises.
GuideWe enjoyed our stay at Tourist Park in Gwinn. I loved that it was a small park with mostly RVs and a few camping spots. We have an Aliner and most of the RVs were big with their own bathroom, so the facilities at Tourist were almost all ours! Full hook-ups, bathrooms with showers, basketball court, fishing, Escanaba River, and hiking trails all right at the park. Close to Marquette, Presque Isle, and many more beautiful spots. My dog was allowed and they had a leash hook outside the bathroom and dog bag station. We would definitely go back.
GuideOverall, this is a good option for coming near Marquette, especially if you have a trailer, a family, or are looking to post up for a bit.
Pros: The campsite has a lot of amenities that are easily accessible. Each site has a table, a fire pit, potable water nearby and most have electric hookup. The beach area for swimming in Lake Independence is nice with a pavilion, volleyball, and ping pong nearby. You can launch your boat or fish from the dock. The views are beautiful.
Cons: It's a crowded location that doesn't offer a lot of privacy. At 2am we were woken up by a boat coming back in from the water blasting it's music while the whole crew was loud and obnoxious.
LegendOn the shores of Independence Lake, just south of Lake Superior, sits this gorgeous, sparkling clean county park with a well-managed campground. Wasn’t expecting much, so was blown away by the facilities for the low price. Lots of site options: non-electric, with electric only, with full hookups, walk-in or boat-in sites on the water, as well as a couple cabins. Sites are nicely spaced apart, but not much privacy between them. We chose the site right by the boat launch, which definitely has the most privacy when it’s not boating season. Lots of deciduous trees, making the fall truly glorious!
The campground was about 10% full upon arrival, and everybody left before we did, so we had the place to ourselves. Did we mention how much we love fall camping?!? Bathrooms and showers are clean and well maintained and spread out throughout the campground.
Tons of hiking, mountain biking, and water sports of all kinds around. Nice boat launch facility, as well as special place to launch canoes/kayaks. A large picnic pavilion with stone fireplace sits right at the waterfront. This is a reservation only type of place (with a $3 nominal fee), but the website allows you to book for the same day, and there is decent cell service at the campground. Win win!
Stock up in Marquette before heading out here as there is only a small gas station convenience store across the road from the campground, as well as a small café and laundromat.
Guide
Upon arrival we thought this might be a cramped campground, but that was not the case. Despite being in a spot right at the intersection of the only two roads through the site, we found this to be a relaxed and tranquil site. The name suggests otherwise, but the amount of RVs, at least the weekend we were there, was far lower than the amount of tent campers (a rarity for those of us who prefer to actually camp). Ever site has stunning views of the water, though the low ground level did allow some minor flooding on our site after a squall ripped through. On that note, make sure your tent is staked VERY firmly, we lost one of our tents to a storm that rolled through off of Superior while we were out hiking!
The staff is very friendly and accommodating, the bathrooms were clean, and the site and beach were pristine. The beach is a HUGE draw for this site, running just off the main road and close to town we were shocked at how remote and untouched it felt. We had stunning sunset views every night, even when a creepy mist rolled through the site (see pictures).
There is super easy access to Marquette's dining and hiking - we were able to get out and hike Hogsback. Even easier access to hiking in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which was the point of our trip.
I can also highly recommend not only the Pictured Rocks boat tours, but the shipwreck tours. Because of the cold water most wrecks are very well preserved.
All in all this campsite has tons to offer, not only in the site itself but in location. (One lost star simply because our fire pit was flooded out so easily)
TravelerThe Michigan Recreation Passport Solar does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas.
Traveler
We went in September and it was still mildly warm, bugs were gone the only thing I would recommend is water proof hiking boots which is a must hiking in Michigan anyway.
Guide
My family and I took a 3 week vacation to visit Michigan. We stayed at a few different campgrounds, and did lots of hiking. We really like Michigamme Shores Campground (the name was really cool we thought!). The campground was really nice. We were able to get a spot by the little beach area they have- next to the Michigamme Lake. Being by the lake in the summertime was really nice! They have a cool trampoline type thing in the water that kids loved playing on. It was definitely busy, so the people in our group didn't get to jump off it. The beach area was clean, which we really appreciated. There are garbage cans and dumpsters within the park which helps with clean up. Lots of picnic tables, which we used during the times when we ate. The campground also has a playground area and beach volleyball. The campsites have hookups which is also really nice. The only downside to this campground was that because the lake and beach area is right there, it was pretty busy. Especially since it was in the summer- lots of partying/boating and people just being overly loud. Other than that, it was a great stay. Great hikes nearby, which we did every morning (3 different hikes). The views were amazing!
Legend
Van Riper State Park is a must-visit if you’re traveling through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It’s popular year-round, although camping is only open between May and October. Stop for the day to hike the trails and go for a swim, or stay a week and enjoy the sunsets and serenity.
The state park covers both sides of the highway with the campground and day-use area on the south side and a huge section of trails and wildlife viewing areas on the north.
There are 147 sites in the modern campground, including some sites with 50-amp electric service, and there are another 40 sites in the rustic campground. Plus, there are two mini cabins in the modern campground if you don’t own a tent or RV. All of the campsites have a fire ring and picnic table.
One thing we noticed is that the sites at Van Riper are very large– so much bigger than many sites we’ve seen at other state parks. This means there is plenty of space for your trailer, truck, bikes, screen tent, kids’ toys, etc. without feeling like you’re infringing on your neighbor.
Another plus for the state park is the laundry facilities. Two washers and dryers are located in the restroom building near the beach.
Van Riper State Park is extremely family-friendly, with activities for everyone. There are approximately 5 miles of hiking trails on the north side of the state park. One trail provides a very nice overlook of Lake Michigamme and the surrounding area. Other trails run along the Peshekee River or through the woods and may even provide the chance to see the moose that live in the area. The trails are not difficult, but there is some elevation to get to the lookout. If you don’t want to hike the whole 5-plus miles from the campground and back, you can drive and park at the group campground and go from there.
A sandy beach awaits both kids and adults on Lake Michigamme. The lake is popular as it is much warmer than most of the lakes in the Upper Peninsula. A large, fairly new playscape is also located near the beach, as well as a swing set. One of the most unique activities is a bike pump track. This is the only state park that we saw that had one. It was very popular with the kids and is conveniently located between the campground and the day-use area. The lake is popular for fishing and if you have a boat you can use the launch in the back of the park. It also is a good location for kayaking.
Legend
4 spots with fire rings and tables. One larger spot with nothing.
You can drive to the sites, but not much room for a car and camping gear. Camper trucks, vans and RTTs would work.
No cell signal.
Couple of miles off main road and no cell service. Not marked with camp signage until you get there.
Road is washboard but not difficult.
Port a potty.
Lake, boat ramp and hiking trails close by.
Looks very lightly used.
TravelerThis reservation only campground was well kept and close to amenities in Gwinn like their city park and diners. The full hookup sites were well marked but not a lot of shade and septic hook up was far back. There is a dump site on premise so we utilized that. Tent sites are well shaded and secluded from each other. Tenants were amazing and hiking trails were beautiful. The weather was too cold to swim but the beach area would be nice with warmer weather.
ScoutVery nice park, on a river with various levels of campsites. Easy access from town and close to post office, library, stores 1 mile away, hiking trails, trout stream, golf course 6 miles, swimming in river, 15 other lakes in a 10 mile radius. Showers, sewage dump, fire pits. 21 miles from major regional city with all services.
RangerNice campground in the town of Gwinn. Close to large park. Great fishing on Escanaba river. Large bathroom as and showers. Try the local restaurants.. Great Pizza at Rodney’s Pizza!
GuideStayed one night in a rustic site. The site was roomy and not packed to close to neighbors. Campground has decent bathroom with showers, and a river that runs at part of the park.
TravelerThis was our 1st stop in the UP and we couldn’t be more pleased. We originally had a 10 day reservation and enjoyed it so much that we extended it for another 10 days. Beautiful natural swimming area in the rear of the property and we picked blueberries and raspberries right here on premise. Hope to return one day.
TravelerWe came in on a Saturday afternoon campground only 2 sites left. Very loud, generators running constantly. 2 groups playing very loud music. One group did karaoke for 6 hours. Visitors parked at the last vacant site making others think it was full. No garbage receptacles. Dirty bathroom.
No good access to lake for swimming.
I do not recommend
ScoutI love love love this campground every time we visit. We live nearby, and it’s the best place to just get away for a night or two. Would recommend to anyone.
GuideThis was a super nice campground! Our site was clean and comfy! The fire pits were really nice, too! Make sure to bring bug spray!
RangerThis campground is a bit rowdy. The lake is ok. Large campsites.
GuideThis is a pretty decent campground typical rustic amenities. The sites are decent size there are some pull through sites for RV's. The lake is very nice,clear water. The biggest complaint I have is it is noisy. There is a significant amount of rd noise and sometimes trains go by blasting the horn at the intersection. There are definitely quieter more secluded campgrounds in the UP but it is fine for a quick overnighter in my opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Marquette, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Marquette, MI is Munising Tourist Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 47 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Marquette, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 glamping camping locations near Marquette, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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