Best Campgrounds near Moran, MI

Campgrounds surrounding Moran, Michigan provide a range of accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Brevoort Lake Campground, located directly in Moran, offers established sites for tent camping, RVs, and glamping options from May through mid-October. Several developed campgrounds dot the region, including Carp River Campground with its rustic tent and RV sites, and Lake Michigan Campground at St. Ignace, which features waterfront access. Castle Rock Ponds provides dispersed camping opportunities with minimal facilities but natural surroundings.

Most campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations, typically opening mid-May and closing by mid-October due to harsh winter conditions. Brevoort Lake offers amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and trash disposal, though hookups are limited. Carp River Campground provides basic facilities with pit toilets and some water access points. Roads to dispersed camping areas like Castle Rock Ponds are generally accessible with standard vehicles. A visitor noted, "Just minutes off of 75 down a well maintained gravel road are the Castle Rock ponds. Decent flat parking around the ponds, with plenty of room for at least 6 rigs."

Waterfront access remains a significant draw for campers in the region, particularly at Lake Michigan Campground where beachfront sites provide direct lake access. Campers frequently mention the balance between convenience and natural beauty. "Beautiful campground on Lake Michigan. Most of our time was spent on the sand beach. Beautiful sunsets and great swimming. Big sites and clean campground," reported one visitor. The proximity to attractions like Mackinac Island creates demand for campsites during peak summer months. Some campers note highway noise at certain locations, particularly at Lake Michigan Campground where sites are close to US-2. Mosquitoes can be problematic in summer months, especially in wooded areas like Carp River Campground, which receives praise for its spacious sites and privacy despite this seasonal challenge.

Best Camping Sites Near Moran, Michigan (106)

    1. Straits State Park Campground

    75 Reviews
    St. Ignace, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 643-8620

    $22 - $42 / night

    "We reserved site 83A for our family of 5. we were in close proximity to the newly constructed bathhouse complete with dish washing stations. it was a full campground on the Friday night that we were there"

    "The Straits State Park in Michigan's Upper Penninsula sits on the North end of the Mackinaw Bridge in St. Ignace."

    2. Wilderness State Park Camping

    77 Reviews
    Cross Village, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 436-5381

    "Pretty secluded campsites with trees surrounding each site. Private little sandy trail from the site down to Lake Michigan allows for good distancing from others. Can’t beat the sunsets."

    "You are within walking distance of Lake Michigan and the beach is nice and sandy. The sites are well maintained but there is not much distance between them so be prepared for that."

    3. Brevoort Lake Campground

    18 Reviews
    Moran, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 203-9872

    $26 - $48 / night

    "Very nice lakeside campsites. Little on the pricey side for me. Edging a little bit towards the style of the Michigan state parks, which isn't my scene."

    "The lake is beautiful, good for swimming and fishing. The town of Escanaba is nearby with good restaurants and Lake walks. Be sure to take yard guard, some mosquitos and black flies."

    4. St. Ignace-Mackinac Island KOA

    20 Reviews
    St. Ignace, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 643-9303

    "We had site #16 right near the front, which meant we had some traffic noise and kids running to the adjacent playground, but the spacious lot size made up for it (and having 3 kids of our own, we didn't"

    "Spent four nights here while we explored the surrounding area. Took two trips out to Mackinac Island - the ferry sompanies have free pick up at the KOA."

    5. Reddmann's Sleepy Hollow

    10 Reviews
    Moran, MI
    7 miles

    "Got here the weekend it was closing for the season and aside from the beginning of duck season and the firing of lots of shotguns on my next to last morning here, it was a really peaceful place."

    "Barbara is amazing as is her 50 some spots on private camping land on the lake! Electric hookups, water well, and honestly my favorite camping site so far! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!"

    6. Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA

    24 Reviews
    Mackinaw City, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 436-5643

    "The pool was great for swimming, and mackinaw city is a great place to walk around and explore!"

    "Close to Leggs restaurant. Mackinac Island. Tunnel of Trees. Upper peninsula Michigan. All this and a great campground."

    7. Lake Michigan At St. Ignace

    10 Reviews
    Moran, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 203-9872

    $26 / night

    "This campground is exactly as it’s named; right on Lake Michigan."

    "It was a last minute choice after a long day of driving and it was absolutely perfect. Sites are not super private but the sites on the lake side had a small walk to the gorgeous beach."

    8. Tiki RV Park & Campground

    12 Reviews
    St. Ignace, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 643-7808

    $28 - $42 / night

    "Located up on a hill and there are some spots that overlook the lake and Mackinaw Island. Close to town. Very clean and friendly staff."

    "This campground is a good location to activities within St. Ignace.  The person in the site next to us was in Site 5.  But, good luck trying to find it on the map. "

    9. Carp River Campground

    6 Reviews
    Moran, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 203-9872

    $24 / night

    "Good distance between site and clean!!! Love this place!!! Easy access to carp river. Some site back up to river edge. I stayed at 14 which is quiet and is an amazing site."

    "It was very spacious and right near the bathrooms. Our only complaints are that there were some potholes in the road that could be filled in, and the mosquitoes were horrendous."

    10. Tee Pee Campground

    18 Reviews
    Mackinaw City, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 436-5391

    $34 - $52 / night

    "This is a great location to camp if you are looking for proximity to Mackinac Island. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They have electric and water but no sewer."

    "Small campground but right on Lake Huron. The campsites are close to each other so I would recommend one of the outer campsites that backs up to the woods."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 106 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Moran, MI

833 Reviews of 106 Moran Campgrounds


  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Castle Rock Ponds

    Good Dispersed Camping Spot

    Nice bare bones dispersed camping spot. Decent gravel road leading to it, and easy to navigate to the different spots along the pond (we were in a 26’ Winnebago View). A few other campers out there, a couple looked like some more permanent fixtures of the camping area. Good fishing in pond, caught a trout. We stayed for two nights and both days/nights there were people doing target shooting in the area so there was some pretty loud gunshots, if that’s a deal breaker for you, I wouldn’t recommend this spot.

  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Brimley State Park Campground

    Beautiful campground

    Right on the shore of Lake superior. Lakefront was just a few steps from our campsite. Sunset. Friendly. Clean facilities.

  • Joe C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Brimley State Park Campground

    Beautiful State Park

    Very few campers at this time of year. Be careful when selecting your site as there are many different sizes and some pull through sites as well. Water is throughout the park, but the only threaded faucets are at the dump station where you can fill up when you pull in. Very nice park and we would come back again.

  • Dan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Big Knob State Forest Campground

    Nice away from it all

    Great, site 5 does not have a picnic table. Sites are large, varied, some not too level, $20, envelope system.

  • J
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Tee Pee Campground

    Fine for the area

    It’s a basic public campground in a busy town. Not much privacy and plenty of drunk RV’ers but I found a nice spot and had a good night. I found a nice long trail to hike that started in town.

  • Byron S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Waterways Campground

    Very nice campground

    Check in was great and the host was very friendly and helped me with all my questions. The site is very well maintained and the bathrooms were super clean. Close to great biking trails and other amenities in Cheboygan. The wireless and cell coverage was great. I enjoyed the peace and quiet and would recommend this RV park.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Carp River Boat Launch

    Free place to park, no trash, no water, no gray dump.

    This place has a lot of people driving through it, but it's a nice place to park. The beach smells like fish, but overall it's pretty nice.

  • Evgeniy D.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Wilderness State Park Camping

    Clean, rustic, beautiful

    The staff member at check-in was very pleasant even though it was past her shift time. Stayed at walk-in site 113. It was clean and had sufficient privacy especially with site 114 being vacant. Vault toilet was clean and not far.

  • J
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Castle Rock Ponds

    Perfect Hidden Gem

    We came in Mid September, the weather was still warm but 60/70. No bathrooms or hook ups, but perfect for tent or car campers. There was one other camper with a pop up camper and looked to be doing great. The road was long but worth the drive back!


Guide to Moran

Camping near Moran, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Explore the beaches: Many campgrounds, like Wilderness State Park Camping, have stunning beach access. One reviewer mentioned, "The beach was beautiful, the water clear, and just a short drive from Mackinaw City!"
  • Visit Mackinac Island: Take a ferry from nearby campgrounds like Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA to explore the island. A camper shared, "Both ferries offer packages that include horse-drawn carriage rides."
  • Hiking and biking: Trails are abundant in the area. A visitor at Straits State Park Campground noted, "There is a nature trail that you can take your bike that leads you to the North Western State Trail."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One review for Brimley State Park Campground stated, "Bathhouses are new, in great shape."
  • Scenic views: Many campgrounds offer beautiful views of lakes and forests. A camper at Hog Island Point State Forest Campground said, "Our site was just steps from Lake Michigan."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA have plenty of activities for kids. One reviewer mentioned, "Lots of activities for the kids and a shuttle to the ferry."

What you should know

  • Crowded during peak season: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially in summer. A visitor at Aloha State Park Campground noted, "This camp was very cramped and crowded with many families with small kids running loose everywhere."
  • Limited privacy: Some sites are close together, which might not suit everyone. A camper at Brevoort Lake Campground mentioned, "The sites aren't super tiny, but having two was worth the extra $$."
  • No electric hookups at some sites: If you need power, check ahead. A reviewer at Bay View (Hiawatha National Forest, MI) warned, "Warning: hand pump for water so if you have a camper, fill up elsewhere."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose campgrounds with activities: Look for places like Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA that offer playgrounds and games. A parent shared, "Great play area for kids!"
  • Book early: Popular sites fill up fast, especially those near the beach. A reviewer at Wilderness State Park Camping advised, "Book early to get a campsite on the beach!"
  • Pack for the weather: Be prepared for changing conditions. A camper at Straits State Park Campground noted, "If there is inclement weather, it will seem like you are in a hurricane due to the proximity to the water."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have tight spots. A reviewer at Tee Pee Campground mentioned, "The spots are very tight to navigate into and took some extra work for my fifth wheel."
  • Look for full hookups: If you need them, make sure to confirm availability. A camper at Mackinaw City / Mackinac Island KOA noted, "They do not have full hookups, but we got by fine for a week since we have a composting toilet."
  • Plan for dump stations: Some campgrounds don’t have dump stations on-site. A visitor at Aloha State Park Campground mentioned, "Not all sites have full hookups."

Camping near Moran, Michigan, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just be sure to plan ahead and choose the right campground for your needs!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Moran, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Moran, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near Moran, MI and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Moran, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Moran, MI is Straits State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 75 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Moran, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Moran, MI.