The northern Michigan landscape surrounding Onaway features several established campgrounds, with most offering a mix of tent and RV sites along with some cabin options. Onaway State Park Campground sits on the shores of Black Lake and provides electric hookups at each site with 15 lakefront campsites available for RVs or tents. Within 30 miles, visitors can access additional options including Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground, Black Lake State Forest Upper ORV Campground, and Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground, which collectively provide both rustic and modern camping experiences. Many campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, though some like Onaway State Park remain open year-round.
Weather patterns and seasonal conditions significantly influence the camping experience in the Onaway area. Summer brings warm days ideal for lake activities, while fall offers spectacular foliage viewing with fewer crowds. State forest campgrounds typically provide more rustic amenities with vault toilets and drinking water, while state parks offer modern facilities including showers and sanitary dump stations. Many sites require advance reservations through Michigan's reservation system, particularly for summer weekends and holiday periods when lakefront sites fill quickly. Water is often shut off in October for the winter season at most campgrounds. A visitor noted, "Onaway SP is a quiet little park with electric pedestal at each sight. Sanitation/dump station has water to fill your fresh water tank for your visit. Beautiful colors and within 10 miles of Ocqueoc Falls and 24 miles to Lake Huron."
Lakefront camping represents a particular draw in the Onaway region, with Black Lake providing popular fishing and boating opportunities. Sites along the water's edge tend to be closer together but offer immediate lake access. Campgrounds in the area typically feature fire rings and picnic tables, with most allowing pets. Hiking and biking trails connect many camping areas to natural features, including Ocqueoc Falls, the only waterfall in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Visitors frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere, particularly during fall camping seasons. The surrounding state forests offer additional recreational opportunities including ORV trails near Black Lake State Forest Campground. According to one review, "My family has been coming to Cheboygan/Onaway MI for as long as I can remember. This campsite is always clean, comfortable and fun. It is perfect for a getaway right on the water in a beautiful park."
"Onaway is a great state park! Beautiful setting, clean and well kept by friendly staff. Book in advance in the summer to score a lake front spot. You won't regret it!"
"Onaway SP is a quiet little park with electric pedestal at each sight. Sanitation/dump station has water to fill your fresh water tank for your visit."
"this rustic campground is just accross road from Ocqueoc falls, which is a handicap accessible water fall in northern Michigan, it is very nice, lots of the sites are on the river, it’s a beautiful area"
"Many places to walk/hike, picnic, and enjoy the views. Beautiful overall with nice wooded campsites, some right next to water. Some poison ivy near our site a few years ago, watch your kids."
"My family has been coming to Cheboygan/Onaway MI for as long as I can remember. This campsite is always clean, comfortable and fun."
"I stayed at the lower which has campsites right next to Black Lake. The sites were great and the grounds had all amenities."
$25 - $147 / night
"Lake Huron. Clean bathrooms. Some of the sites are not as deep as others. The lower numbered sites are closer to beach access. Great activities for kids, nice bike paths and hiking trails."
"This is a beautiful state park with the best of pure Michigan woods and Lake Huron sandy dunes and beaches ."
$30 - $34 / night
"Right on Mullett Lake, close to town for easy access to food, but really enjoyed kayaking lake"
"The lake is easily accessible and wonderful. There are no bathrooms or showers in the new section. AT&T and T-Mobile service was fairly good. Easy access to lots of things to do during the day."
"We stayed at site 145 which was large but there is a path to the beach right next to it so it's not very private. The park store was closed Labor Day weekend."
"The area we swam in was very shallow quite a ways into the lake. The showers and bathrooms are pretty close to the campsites."
"Butting up to Tomahawk Lake and surrounded by the Atlanta State Forest Area, you are close to Oqueoc Falls, hiking trails, and other natural wonders northern Michigan has to offer."
"Only maybe 12 sites and about half with waterfront access to the little lake. Lake tomahawk is attached to the first unit."
"Had a site next to the woods. Nice walking paths. Lots of orv's in other sites."
"The Guest Host is a character and extremely friendly and will be happy you chose Clear Lake State Park. He has plenty of games from cornhole to frisbee to playing cards, etc..."
"The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."
"The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
"This is a typical Michigan State Park. The facilities are well maintained and clean. On a nice lake with a good swim area."
"We recently camped at Twin Lakes June 23-25th. The sites were a decent size and the Campground only had one other group."
ScoutMe and the family camped at Tee Pee Campground last year during the weekend of the bridge walk. The camp ground and facilities were clean and the staff very friendly. I would definitely cajmp there agian.
GuideThis spot is an open pull-off in state forest land. Clean, safe and quiet - no road traffic at night and sparse during day.
Scoutfine if you just need a place to pitch a tent, ground is hit or miss and some spots are uneven. The river is the only real draw, bugs still come out and weekends get loud with rowdy groups. Bathrooms are meh
ScoutYou won’t find a more secluded beachfront stay on Lake Huron in the Upper Peninsula. Tucked away on a quiet stretch of shoreline, this spot offers unmatched privacy, beautiful sunrises, and the calming sound of waves right outside your door. A hidden gem worth returning to
TravelerWe have stayed at Camp Petosega several times, the last was in October of 2025. Stayed in the Full hook up sites. very little traffic. Beautiful fall colors as we drove around the area. Clean bath house and nice walking areas, playground's and a beach with public park on Pickerel Lake.
TravelerThis campground was close to the town of Petoskey, had clean showers and bathrooms, which were toasty in the cool October night we stayed! Kudos! Our site was level, shaded, and close to the facilities, as we are van campers this was nice.
TravelerVery quiet and remote, if you go as a hiker pick times when the water conditions are poor. This is primarily a paddling campground.
Toilet has no TP, lots of hidden sites if you venture off trail
ScoutLots of road noise and no water or electricity and it’s not free as stated online $20 isn’t bad per night but other places near charge $27-35 per night and have water and electric hookups there is tons of random traffic through the grounds which is a little uncomfortable. They do have bathrooms and you can fish but if your looking for a peaceful place this is not it or a free campsite it is not
GuideNice 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.
Campgrounds near Onaway, Michigan offer visitors diverse experiences in the northern Michigan forests. Most sites sit at elevations between 700-900 feet, with the area experiencing temperature swings from summer highs around 80°F to winter lows frequently below freezing. Fall brings vibrant color changes, typically peaking from late September through mid-October, with nighttime temperatures that can drop below 40°F even during summer months.
Hiking at Ocqueoc Falls: Walk the trail system connecting to Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground. The area features the only handicap-accessible waterfall in the country. According to Maria L., "It's not a difficult trail, and circles altogether about 7 miles or so with various loops for shorter hikes. It's cool because you get a mix of little ecosystems and different terrain and flora on various parts of the trail."
Swimming in natural waters: Lakes around Onaway offer sandy bottoms and clear water for swimming. At Clear Lake State Park Campground, "The lake is crystal clear and has beautiful turquoise waters. We were able to take the canoe out and were the only ones on the water that afternoon," shares Bill W.
Off-road vehicle trails: The Upper ORV area provides designated routes for motorized recreation. Jordan B. notes about Twin Lakes State Forest Campground, "Large forested sites. Lake with dock access. Quiet and pleasant during my stay."
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at the best places to camp near Onaway. At Pigeon River State Forest Campground, Aaron T. mentions, "The sites are all great! Camp along the river if you can. Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away."
Fall season camping: The area transforms with autumn colors. Dustin D. says about Onaway State Park Campground, "I would definitely recommend this place, especially in the fall because the trees changing colors really adds a nice element to this campground. The only thing to note was that our site, site 5, had a really rocky ground beneath the dirt which made it difficult to stake our tent down."
Night skies and wildlife: The region offers excellent stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution. Rebekah J. reports from Twin Lakes State Forest Campground, "There were plenty of Loons that made noise around midnight every night but other than that it was pretty quiet."
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited connectivity. In Pigeon River State Forest, Halie C. warns, "Also, there is no cell service." Similarly, at Clear Lake, campers note service is spotty at best.
Water shutoff dates: Most campgrounds turn off water in fall. This typically happens by mid-October, so late-season campers should bring their own.
First-come, first-served sites: Some of the top camping near Onaway requires no reservations. Sarah B. shares about Ocqueoc Falls, "What's not to love? Only a few sites, but this campground has it all. Lots of space and wooded areas around you, good spots for hanging out in the hammocks, a private swimming hole in the river."
Beach access considerations: Some beaches are more family-friendly than others. Ann D. notes about Onaway State Park, "The playground offers two swing sets and a small slide. The bathrooms near playground and boat launch are very old. Main bathrooms are nicer."
Tick precautions: Northern Michigan forests have ticks, especially in early summer. Ian R. reports from Pigeon River, "The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks."
Shallow water areas: Look for designated swimming spots with gradual entry. At Hoeft State Park Campground, Rose M. mentions, "Shallow in parts for the kids but deep enough to snorkel for pudding stones. Rock hounds will delight in the fossil, Petoskeys and puddings along the shoreline."
Site selection for larger rigs: Upper campgrounds typically accommodate bigger vehicles. At Clear Lake State Park, Ann D. notes, "There is an upper and lower area, the upper is for larger units and has more space per site."
Electric hookup limitations: Many sites offer only 30-amp service or less. Be prepared with adapters if your RV requires 50-amp.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide dump stations. Joshua M. shares about Ocqueoc Falls, "We fit our small travel trailer easily into a fairly level lot. The lack of big rigs makes for a generally laid back and quiet atmosphere - a certain plus."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Onaway State Park?
Onaway State Park Campground offers electric pedestals at each site, making it convenient for campers needing power. The park includes a sanitation/dump station with water to fill your fresh water tank. There are 15 lakefront campsites along Black Lake, though these sites are positioned quite close together. The park features a playground area with swings for children. While the campground doesn't have full hookups or shower facilities on-site, it's well-maintained by friendly staff. The water is typically shut off in early October for the season.
Are there any private campgrounds near Onaway, Michigan?
While Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping offers private camping options within driving distance of Onaway, most camping in the area is on public land. For those seeking alternatives to state parks, French Farm Lake Rd provides a more primitive experience with 6 basic sites featuring fire pits, though without water, trash services, or showers. The Onaway region is primarily served by state parks and forest campgrounds rather than private RV parks or resorts. For amenities like full hookups, you may need to venture toward larger towns in the region.
What is the best time of year to visit Onaway State Park?
Summer is ideal for waterfront activities at Black Lake State Forest Upper ORV Campground, which offers clean, comfortable sites perfect for enjoying the water. However, fall may be the most spectacular season to visit the Onaway area when the forests display brilliant colors. As noted by visitors to Cheboygan State Park Campground, the entire region offers a quintessential "Northern Michigan" experience with stunning autumn foliage. October visitors to Onaway can enjoy the colorful landscape and quieter campgrounds, though be aware that water services typically shut off around October 10th for the winter season.
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