The Newberry area in Michigan's Upper Peninsula sits at the crossroads of vast wilderness tracts and waterways. Surrounded by over 100,000 acres of state forests at elevations between 600-800 feet, this region experiences distinct seasons with heavy winter snowfall and temperate summers. Most campgrounds near Newberry maintain primitive conditions with variable cell service coverage, especially in campgrounds north of town where service becomes virtually nonexistent.
What to do
Hiking the North Country Trail: The trail passes through Mouth of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground, offering access to miles of Lake Superior shoreline. "I stayed here for a week and Loved it! It's a bit of a drive to get there but well worth it! I can't wait to go back again! It's only you and Nature at its Best!! I enjoyed all the Quiet!" notes camper Cindy Y.
Winter recreation: Several campgrounds offer winter camping for cold-weather enthusiasts. At Lower Falls Campground — Tahquamenon Falls State Park, camper Michael T. describes the winter experience: "Snowmobiled, snowshoed, hiked, cross countries, oh and nice waterfalls."
Lake portaging: The Pretty Lake Quiet Area contains ten interconnected lakes with marked portage trails. "Many of the lakes have well marked and reasonably short portage trails, allowing kayakers and canoers great opportunities to explore. If you're on foot, well maintained and marked trails will take you from lake to lake and even beyond," reports Chris M.
What campers like
Campsite privacy: Certain campgrounds offer more seclusion than typical public facilities. At Kritter's Northcountry Campground, camper Lemae H. notes, "All the sites are pull through so your front door faces another front door. Roomy sites with designated fire pits." Some campers prefer the privacy in other locations, with Brad L. stating, "Super quiet campground. Not much for amenities and no pool. But we loved it here because of how simple and quiet it was."
Water access options: Campers appreciate the variety of water experiences. At Rivermouth Modern Campground, Ashleigh M. describes: "I stayed at the Rivermouth Pines rustic campground for a surprisingly warm fall colors weekend. It was a beautiful, quiet campground with stunning views." Another camper, Cody S., adds: "There is river access along the back of the campground for fishing or enjoying the beautiful wetlands."
Off-road vehicle trails: Many campgrounds connect to the area's extensive ORV trail network. Samantha B. describes the Hog Island Point area: "Rustic campground with 46 sites for tents or RVs up to 40ft. Vault toilets, two well hand pumps with potable water. Waterfront and non-water front sites available on a first come, first serve basis."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. Christopher L. warns about Mouth of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground: "Would advise for anyone wanting to bring a camper as the road is extremely washboarded. Would only recommend a trailer that has good suspension or something small and rugged. Be careful as Google maps can be misleading and trying to take you down fire lanes that are not passable."
Insects: Black flies and mosquitoes are prevalent, especially in spring and early summer. At Pretty Lake State Forest Campground, Christopher L. notes: "Great views, plenty of campsites, definitely many along the water. However the mosquitoes are quite rough. If you plan on doing any of the hiking trails you'll definitely need a bug net."
Limited services: Most state forest campgrounds lack showers and have minimal facilities. At Big Lake Campground, Lindsey B. describes it as "Small, Rustic, Great Swimming/Kayaking," adding that "Beach is super sandy and shallow - great for kiddos." Cell service is spotty throughout the region, with Nikki P. reporting: "AT&T was too spotty for internet use (around 2 bars, 3 at best)" at Pretty Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds have children's play areas. Joie V. at Kritter's Northcountry Campground shares, "It was across from the playground which my kids loved. I loved that it was close the the bathhouse which also had laundry."
Swimming options: Muskallonge Lake State Park Campground offers dual water access. Amy D. explains: "You have access to Muskallonge Lake in the campground, and there is Lake Superior access not too far down the road, there is a trail from the campground."
Rock hunting: Lake Superior beaches provide opportunities for rock collecting. Samantha B. describes the experience at Hog Island Point: "Beach area and water access. Open year round. Pet friendly." Other campers mention searching for agates, Petoskey stones, and other Great Lakes rocks along the shoreline.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Newberry Campground, Chris M. advises: "Lady at the office is one the nicest people I have ever met. Nice clean sites. A lot of pull through sites, and a lot of different style of sites wooded and grassy. Wifi is a little spotty at the end of the campground but our jet pack works wonders out here."
Hookup limitations: Most state parks offer limited hookups. At Lower Falls Campground, Beth B. shares: "Decent bath house, no water/sewer. Minimal ATT cell service. Level lot, busy on weekend."
Access considerations: Muskallonge Lake State Park Campground offers varied site options. Christopher L. reports: "Beautiful campground however I would definitely avoid the first loop as it's very open. The second and third loop are more tree covered and more traditional to what most state parks are in Michigan."
