Marquette offers pet friendly camping opportunities throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula where summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F. The city sits at 633 feet above sea level along Lake Superior, with most nearby campgrounds open seasonally from mid-May through mid-October. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing with significant snowfall, making off-season camping limited to hardier adventurers.
What to do
Mountain biking access: Direct trail connections from Forestville Campground make it a popular choice for bikers. "This is the trail head to a network of snowshoeing, biking, and hiking trails. There are 19 sites, three of which line the field while the other 16 are tucked in the woods," shares Emilee S. The campground serves as a starting point for exploring Marquette's extensive trail system.
Beach swimming: Lake access at Van Riper State Park provides summer water recreation. "My kids made some of their best memories ever camping here. Swam and paddled on Lake Michigamme for hours. Huge beach with volleyball net," reports Jenny G. The park offers a swimming area with seasonal floating water features for an additional fee.
Fishing opportunities: River access at Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park connects anglers to trout streams. "Great fishing on Escanaba river," notes Randall J. The park provides access points for fishing along the river with opportunities to catch various species including brook trout.
Winter recreation: Seasonal activities near Rippling Rivers RV Resort include skiing and snowshoeing. "Located next to bike trails, orv trails, and the ski hill. Good location," explains Kyle P. The resort's proximity to Marquette Mountain makes it a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Private shower rooms at Van Riper State Park offer comfort for families. "Large bathhouse with private shower rooms," writes Jenny G. The modern campground section includes flush toilets and shower facilities that receive regular maintenance.
Trail connectivity: Multiple activity options surrounding Forestville Campground create recreation opportunities. "Close to Marquette but feels secluded. At the head of some great mountain biking trails and backcountry rock climbing or bouldering. Also just great hiking, our site backed up to the NCT," reports Molly M. The campground provides direct trail connections to both technical mountain biking routes and hiking paths.
River swimming areas: Natural water access at Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park provides cooling options. "Beautiful natural swimming area in the rear of the property and we picked blueberries and raspberries right here on premise," shares Vincent S. The swimming area offers an alternative to Lake Superior's colder waters.
Campground amenities: Recreation options at Country Village RV Park include family-friendly facilities. "Our kids loved that there is a pool, hot tub & bouncy pillow! This is our 2nd time staying & both were because of its convenience to 'civilization' not to get away from it," notes Jessica P. The park combines natural surroundings with recreational amenities.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Booking processes vary between campgrounds. "Self registered system. $15 a night + $5 for firewood. Although they don't always have firewood available because the grounds are taken care of by volunteers," explains Emilee S. about Forestville Campground. Some parks require advance reservations while others operate on a first-come basis.
Site selection considerations: Privacy levels differ significantly. "Most 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," notes Molly M. about Forestville Campground. Research specific site numbers before booking to ensure appropriate fit for your equipment.
Weather preparedness: Seasonal variations affect comfort levels. "Plan on cooler weather," advises Andrea B. about Van Riper State Park. Even summer temperatures can drop significantly at night, necessitating appropriate clothing and sleeping gear.
Water quality issues: Potable water access requires planning at some locations. "There are restrictions on their drinking water so you need to haul in your own drinking water," cautions Andrea B. regarding Van Riper State Park. Check current water advisories before arrival.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Recreation options keep children entertained. "This campground has it all! Rustic or modern you will enjoy the beach, hiking/biking trails (many right from your site), boating, fantastic fishing, kayaking and year round events! Even a park for the kids!" recommends Ashley S. about Van Riper State Park.
Swimming areas: Water safety considerations vary by location. "The tent sites were too small and not level. We had a very hard time finding a place to put our tent," cautions Amie L. about Rippling Rivers Resort, though she notes, "The river was about 10 feet away from our site."
Educational opportunities: Learning experiences near Country Village RV Park include museum visits. "Nearby are some interesting museums including the National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the Michigan Iron Museum," mentions Nancy W. These attractions provide weather alternatives during rainy days.
Campsite positioning: Noise levels vary within campgrounds. "The pool was super crowded and noisy so if you don't want to hear kids screaming, stay away from sites close to the pool," advises Nancy W. about Country Village RV Park. Request sites further from high-traffic amenities if seeking quieter experiences.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Utility access requires planning. "The hook-ups are not laid out conveniently on some sites which requires extra hoses and electric cords," notes Nancy W. about Country Village RV Park. Pack extension cords and longer water hoses to accommodate various site configurations.
Size constraints: Length limitations affect larger rigs. "Be aware if you are a large RV with tow car that many sites are not long enough so be specific how long you are when you reserve a site," advises Nancy W. Confirm exact site dimensions when booking if traveling with larger equipment.
Leveling challenges: Site conditions impact setup ease. "We were assigned site #104 but could tell our motorhome was not going to get level in the site so we had to straddle the site and park partly in the adjacent grassy area," shares Nancy W. about Country Village RV Park. Bring leveling blocks and stabilization equipment.
Water quality management: Mineral content at Gitche Gumee RV Park requires filtration. "The campground has very hard water, to the point our shower is stained pretty bad even though we had multiple filters and a water softener," reports Noah P. Consider additional filtration systems for longer stays.
