Craig Lake State Park Campground provides remote glamping experiences in Mohawk, Michigan's Upper Peninsula wilderness areas. Access to this secluded location requires driving on unpaved roads that may challenge some vehicles. Winter arrives early in the region, with visitors reporting snowfall as early as mid-October, requiring campers to prepare for rapid weather changes even during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Kayaking on Lake Superior: The Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay offers paddling opportunities with pristine shoreline camping. "The drive was pretty rough. My F150 with a truck camper made for a long, slow drive. If the pot holes were filled with water, my feet would have gotten wet," notes camper Brian B., highlighting the access challenges worthwhile for waterfront camping.
Hiking forest trails: Craig Lake State Park Campground connects to the North Country Trail with multiple side paths. "The North Country Trail skirts the lake and there are additional trails that branch on and off it, including trails that go all the way around," explains Rebecca W., who visited in July and found the area relatively free from mosquitoes when using proper protection.
Fishing local lakes: The Upper Peninsula offers multiple fishing spots. "If you're looking for an off-the-grid escape this is it. The hike-in/paddle in camping spots are equipped with a picnic table and a firepit, everything else is up to you," states Mike S. about Craig Lake, though he notes fishing quality has decreased in recent years.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Big Lake State Forest Campground provides generous camping areas. "Way off the beaten path but the sites are HUGE! Quiet setting right on Big Lake. Probably my most beautiful site in the UP so far," writes Tracy W., highlighting the campground's vault toilets and boat launch facilities.
Wildlife viewing: The Upper Peninsula offers opportunities to observe native species. Jeff P. notes at Craig Lake State Park: "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."
Natural water features: Perkins Park & Campground provides lake access and swimming opportunities. "This is a very quiet and remote area. The campground and town are both very calm and quiet. The beach is very nice and the water in Wilderness Lake is clean," states Greg S., who also mentions the nearby playground and abandoned railroad trail.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many Upper Peninsula glamping locations require traveling rough roads. At Keweenaw Peninsula High Rock Bay, visitor Molly A. cautions: "DO NOT BRING A STANDARD CAR DOWN HERE! Road was incredibly rough and no cell service... Make sure to check the weather before you go. If it had rained overnight, I probably wouldn't have been able to make it out."
Campground development stages: Some campgrounds undergo continuous improvements. At Trails End Campground, Emilee S. observed: "This campground is massive, but not finished yet. It feels as if your camping on someone's property that they've turned into a campground. There were gardens everywhere that were totally fenced off."
Seasonal planning: Logging operations affect forest areas periodically. Art S. notes about Big Lake State Forest Campground: "This area is being logged so many trees are gone. This makes it less pleasant now but that will change over time. Once we saw this we left and looked for another spot."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: L'Anse Township Park & Campground offers lake-view sites with family amenities. "Beautiful & clean. Great site overlooking Lake Superior. Need to walk over highway to get to water. Very orderly and great Park Manager. Family & pet friendly with awesome playground," reports Debra R.
Water safety preparation: Lake Superior water temperatures remain cold year-round. Rebecca W. notes about Craig Lake: "Here in late July and lake was quite warm, not sure I'd trust it to be swimmers itch free. I suspect it's a shallow lake."
Pet-friendly options: Several campgrounds accommodate pets. At L'Anse Township Park, Kim E. shares: "We come up every year for the meteor shower, and every stay is a great one. New shower rooms, and huge dog park are awesome!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Twin Lakes State Park Campground offers various RV accommodations. Roger W. advises: "Lakeside sites are the premium here and the only sites that would seduce me to visit. Good stop over place," while noting the campground will undergo renovation in 2024 with anticipated closures.
RV size limitations: Some roads and campgrounds restrict larger vehicles. At Trails End Campground, Jeanie P. observes: "This place is self pay $15/night with lots of sites to choose from that accommodate tent or big trailers (not all sites are the same size). Some sites are more tucked away in the trees which makes you feel more secluded."
Site spacing considerations: Campground layouts vary significantly. At Twin Lakes State Park, Kevin notes: "This was a scenic spot but the RVs were packed in pretty close together. Lots of spaces left lots of bored little humans running around. We were close to staying — if for nothing more than the showers! But reconsidered."
