Best Campgrounds near Norway, MI

Camping options around Norway, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula feature a mix of established campgrounds and rustic sites along Lake Michigan and inland lakes. Summer Breeze Campground near Iron Mountain provides RV hookups and cabin accommodations, while Carney Lake State Forest Campground offers more rustic tent and RV sites with vault toilets and drinking water. Lake Antoine Park Campground includes cabins and glamping options with modern amenities such as electric hookups, showers, and a sanitary dump station, giving campers multiple levels of comfort depending on their preference.

The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing for the winter after mid-October. Seasonal accessibility varies significantly at rustic sites like Carney Lake State Forest Campground, which lacks amenities like showers or electric hookups. "Takes about a ten Mile dirt/gravel road in poor condition to get to. This is a carry in/carry out site," noted one visitor about the Carney Lake area. Many campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during summer weekends, though some smaller forest service sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Cell phone coverage can be spotty throughout the region, particularly at more remote sites, so planning ahead is essential.

Several campgrounds in the area provide direct access to water, making them popular with families and anglers. Lake Antoine Park offers sites near the water with boat access, picnic tables, and fire rings. A visitor to nearby J.W. Wells State Park mentioned that "many of the sites are just feet from Lake Michigan. We listened to the waves all night long." Most developed campgrounds maintain clean facilities, with reviewers frequently mentioning well-maintained bathrooms and showers as highlights. Campgrounds like Rivers Bend and Summer Breeze cater more to RV travelers with hookups and larger sites, while the forest service campgrounds tend to appeal to tent campers seeking a more rustic experience. Proximity to ATV trails is another common feature of many sites in the region, with multiple trail networks accessible from or near campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Norway, Michigan (112)

    1. Summer Breeze Campground

    5 Reviews
    Iron Mountain, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 774-7701

    "A train runs next to the campground but only comes through periodically we were there a week and only saw it twice. Tons to do up here waterfalls caves and the iron mine tour"

    "My husband and I have been traveling around the US and happened on Summer Breeze at the last minute. Nikki and Jerry are wonderfully accommodating, the campground and its facilities are very clean."

    2. Carney Lake State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Norway, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 875-6622

    "Close to Iron Mountain but tucked away in the woods enough to be secluded. We stayed during the week and we're the only site occupied. Very peaceful, lake was very nice"

    "We took a chance on driving 1.5 hours to Carney Lake State Campground and we are pleased that we did. The sites were first-come first-serve and we were lucky to get a site on the lake."

    3. Morgan Park

    5 Reviews
    Pembine, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 732-7530

    "Lots of trees and foliage so sites are at least semi-private - nearby lake for fishing and swimming and hiking trails too!"

    "Located in Marinette county, this park has a lot to offer. Hike the bluffs, swim, fish, blueberry picking, and much more!"

    4. Rivers Bend Campground

    3 Reviews
    Iron Mountain, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 779-1171

    $49 / night

    "I did a lot of research for campgrounds near Iron Mountain Michigan and we were very happy with this campground."

    "We camped here as something to do for my step-dads birthday. We had site’s 100 & 97 from Thursday through Sunday. The river was very nice. The sites were a little uneven but not too bad."

    5. Lake Antoine Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Iron Mountain, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 774-8875

    7. Genes Pond State Forest Campground

    6 Reviews
    Norway, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 875-6622

    $20 / night

    "It’s a gorgeous campground, with a boat ramp and fishing dock on the lake."

    "It’s a short walk to the lake and the hand pump is convenient for water. Vault toilets are clean and stocked with paper."

    8. Twelve Foot Falls County Park

    5 Reviews
    Dunbar, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 732-7530

    "No cell service — downloaded maps around the highway turnoff to be able to navigate in the dark. Campground is small and sites are close; made friends with the neighbors."

    "That’s normally not an issue for us because we will forage and cut our own but the rain has been falling so all the surrounding fallen trees were wet."

    9. Camping in the Clouds

    5 Reviews
    Florence, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 528-5596

    10. Tranquil~Vista Campground

    3 Reviews
    Amberg, WI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 282-2904

    $25 - $30 / night

    "There are miles of ATV and Side x side trails down the road, We spend the whole day riding and never see it all and they are well groomed."

    "The back tent areas are great, great walking trails, right on the water, the staff is so friendly and do daily checks to check if you need fire wood or anything."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 112 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Norway, MI

370 Reviews of 112 Norway Campgrounds


  • Amanda M.
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Genes Pond State Forest Campground

    Great for grouse hunters

    This is a beautiful, well-kept campground. It is secluded and campsites have a bit of privacy with lots of beautiful trees. It’s a short walk to the lake and the hand pump is convenient for water. Vault toilets are clean and stocked with paper.

  • R
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Governor Thompson State Park Campground

    Beautiful boondocks!

    It's so quiet here. The campsites spread apart the campgrounds may be heavily booked, but it doesn't feel like it. There is swimming, boating (campsites are also available on the island), lots of hiking trails, and tons of waterfalls in the area. Thanks to the came hostess,Melody H, and the other park employees, the bathrooms and showers were impeccable. I've been camping in a tent for two weeks and I look forward to coming back next year.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Van Riper State Park Campground

    Electrical hookups, about $35 per night

    Very expensive, but what can you do with a useless storm that doesn't go away?

  • J
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

    Lighthouse hideaway

    This one was very cool. We had a great time. The “camp” spots are about 1 mile before the lighthouse and outhouse bathrooms. But there was two established campsites that are near the entrance of the light house. Both open and with pits. We stayed in the second one. It was very nice to have open space. We were the only ones who were there so we have the whole area to ourselves. I will also say it was nice to be able to hear the cars coming and going down the road.

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 4, 2025

    J.W. Wells State Park Campground

    Beautiful and peaceful

    Really nice sites and you can see the water from most of them. Some sites were muddy but I think it was mostly from how busy it was over Labor Day. Facilities are clean and the camp hosts are so sweet (they have matching vests and serve coffee every morning). Really nice recreational activities (basketball, tetherball, horse shoes) and a trail leading to the picnic shelter and sandy swimming beach.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Chipmunk Rapids

    Artesian well

    Cute campground with an artesian well. The toilet is clean.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Fox County Park Campground

    Beach sites

    One could camp right on the beach here. The beach is fantastic. There is water available. Cell service is ok. The toilets are repulsive. The sites are overcrowded, thankfully we did not have neighbors. There is traffic noise and a bright light above the toilets means no one will trip on the way to the potty, but you won’t see any stars either.

  • Clint B.
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Paint River Forks NF Campground

    Free camping

    5 or so campsites. Clean out house right on river. Just a mile or so down the dirt road.


Guide to Norway

Campgrounds near Norway, Michigan offer rustic options for outdoor enthusiasts who prefer less-developed sites. The area sits in the western Upper Peninsula where forested terrain and inland lakes define the landscape. Many campgrounds remain open from April through October, though access to the more remote locations often requires travel on gravel roads that can become difficult during wet weather.

What to do

Waterfall exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to Marinette County's abundant waterfalls. Twelve Foot Falls County Park offers both camping and waterfall viewing. "The trail to the falls is short but you can also explore the area. The falls are wondrous. We saw people cooling off in the water too. This is worth driving out to see," reports a camper named Art S.

Fishing opportunities: Gene's Pond State Forest Campground provides access to both pond fishing and nearby streams. "My hubby caught some bluegill in the lake that we cooked up for dinner. It's really a beautiful spot, not far from Felch or Sagola for supplies, and near some great brook trout fishing on the Ford River," notes Maria L.

ATV trail access: Summer Breeze Campground serves as a hub for ATV enthusiasts. "Atv trails are across the interstate. It's was a great time! This campground is meticulously taken care of by the owners," shares reviewer Juliana R. The extensive trail networks remain accessible from late spring through fall, with some restrictions during wet conditions.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Morgan Park receives praise for its site layout. "Lots of trees and foliage so sites are at least semi-private - nearby lake for fishing and swimming and hiking trails too!" says Natasha T. The campground maintains natural vegetation barriers between many sites.

Clean facilities: Modern amenities at developed campgrounds stand out to many visitors. "Fantastic facilities, bathrooms and free showers were very clean and in great condition. Appreciate the modern amenities at this campground!" reports Greg H. about Morgan Park.

Proximity to water: Tranquil~Vista Campground offers direct water access. "The fishing is great both from your kayak, boat or the shore line. There are very clean porta johns, a large grassy area for play and volleyball court," mentions Shane in their review. Several campgrounds feature sites within walking distance to lakes or rivers.

What you should know

Remote locations: Many campgrounds require significant travel on unpaved roads. At Gene's Pond State Forest Campground, visitors should prepare accordingly. "This campground is pretty far out into the northern woods. That being said, it was a popular place when we stopped by. Almost all the sites were taken. We came in from the west and town is at the start of the drive deeper into the woods," warns Art S.

Water quality issues: Some rustic campgrounds have problematic water sources. At Gene's Pond, Maria L. cautions: "The only downside to this campground is the horrid water. It comes from a cistern (I imagine) and has a hand pump. The water is awful. Cloudy and foul tasting, stale and full of minerals. The second time we camped there we made sure to bring our own water."

Limited amenities: State Forest campgrounds provide minimal facilities. "Make sure to bring in wood before you get here, seemed to not be anyone selling wood bundles near the area around the campground," advises Erin S. about Gene's Pond State Forest Campground. Many rustic sites lack electric hookups, showers, and potable water.

Tips for camping with families

Look for playgrounds: Rivers Bend Campground provides river access but limited children's activities. "Not a whole lot for kids to do. The 'wading pool' looked a little gross at the bottom. The campground was quiet for the most part with the exception of one seasonal site along the river doing amplified karaoke one night," notes Kelli V.

Consider campground timing: School schedules affect the camping experience. At Summer Breeze Campground, Juliana R. observed: "First time we stayed here it was quiet during the school season. Mostly adult couples. Second time was summer break and there were a lot of children."

Check swimming conditions: Water access varies between campgrounds. "The beach is…. Well I wouldn't call it a beach but it's a place for little kids to go in as long as they are closely watched- the river is quiet deep," cautions Kelli V. about Rivers Bend Campground.

Tips from RVers

Site conditions: Twelve Foot Falls County Park has limitations for larger rigs. "The campground has all the sites in one small area. One is even in the middle of the loop," notes Art S. Many of the more rustic campgrounds lack level sites for larger RVs.

Hookup availability: Rivers Bend Campground provides full services for RVers. "We had full hook up with cable! That was a nice surprise! We were greeted as soon as we drove in, our site was very nice with a concrete pad," shares Tammi J.

Road conditions: Access to remote campgrounds can be challenging. At Carney Lake State Forest Campground, campers report: "About a 7 mile gravel road to get here from the main road," according to Austin. This makes towing larger RVs difficult, especially after rain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does camping cost in Norway compared to other Scandinavian countries?

Camping in Norway is generally more expensive than in other Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Finland, though pricing is comparable to Denmark. Developed campgrounds typically range from 150-300 NOK ($15-30) per night for basic tent sites, while full-service sites with electricity for RVs can cost 250-450 NOK ($25-45). Country Village RV Park and Gladstone Bay Campground represent good value options with reasonable fees for their amenities. Budget travelers should consider Norway's free wild camping under allemannsretten (right to roam), which allows camping on uncultivated land - a significant cost advantage over neighboring countries with more restrictions.

What are the best campgrounds in Norway for tourists?

Norway offers exceptional camping experiences with breathtaking fjord and mountain views. Top campgrounds include sites along the dramatic western fjords, near iconic hiking destinations like Trolltunga, and in areas with Northern Lights viewing opportunities. Many tourists favor Little Bay De Noc for its beautiful Lake Michigan access, playground amenities, and proximity to hiking trails. The campground provides spacious sites with excellent views. Another excellent option is J.W. Wells State Park Campground with its stunning waterfront location, sandy beaches, and family-friendly facilities. Most tourist-friendly campgrounds in Norway feature clean facilities, scenic locations, and easy access to natural attractions.

What are Norway's regulations for wild camping and freedom to roam?

Norway embraces allemannsretten (the right to roam), which grants everyone the legal right to camp on uncultivated land for up to two nights without permission, provided you're at least 150 meters from inhabited buildings. This freedom extends to hiking, swimming, and gathering berries or mushrooms. However, respect for nature is paramount – leave no trace, use established fire pits only when fire bans aren't in effect, and properly dispose of waste. Camping at Kleinke Park Campground and West Bass Lake demonstrates the importance of responsible camping practices. In protected areas and national parks, additional restrictions may apply, so always check local regulations before setting up camp.