69 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The western Upper Peninsula of Michigan surrounding Ontonagon offers campgrounds ranging from electric-hookup RV sites to backcountry tent camping along Lake Superior's southern shore. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, about 18 miles west of town, offers Union Bay Campground with 100 electric sites and lakefront views that require reservations up to six months in advance. Ontonagon Township Park Campground provides 76 sites with electric hookups and waterfront options within walking distance of town. For RV travelers, River Road RV Park offers full hookups and spacious sites near the Ontonagon River, while backcountry options exist throughout the Porcupine Mountains for those seeking more remote experiences.
Weather and seasonal conditions significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Summer brings warm days but persistent biting insects, particularly black flies that resist repellents. As one camper noted, "Bug spray was no match for the flies, so we were forced to spend most of our time in the screen room." Fall offers spectacular foliage but increasing precipitation that can create muddy trails and occasional flooding at lakeside sites. Winter arrives early in the Upper Peninsula, sometimes as soon as mid-October, with campgrounds like Union Bay offering year-round access including winter-ready yurts with wood stoves. Cell service remains limited throughout the area, with most campgrounds reporting minimal coverage.
Lake Superior dominates the camping experience with dramatic views and variable weather patterns. Lakefront sites at Union Bay and Ontonagon Township Park consistently receive the highest ratings despite their proximity to other campers. "The sunsets on Lake Superior were amazing, and we even saw an awesome storm coming in," reported one visitor to Union Bay. Campers frequently mention the Escarpment Trail in the Porcupine Mountains as a must-do hike for its panoramic views. Many sites experience strong winds off the lake, with inland sites offering more protection but less scenery. Backcountry campers should prepare for potentially muddy conditions, especially along the Lake Superior Trail, where wooden platforms at some sites help manage wet ground.
"This was our first time camping in Michigan and we loved being so close to Lake Superior. We're used to MN state parks, so we found the campsites in MI to be a bit small and too close to each other."
"While the site itself was sort of small (ours was not suitable for anything other than tents) I actually enjoyed having all our stuff close by."
from $41 / night
Check Availability"Wonderful campground beside Lake Superior. We had a site backed up to the lake and enjoyed the sound of Lake Superior waves!"
"80 sites on lake. $28-$35. Showers, electric, water. Close to town and nice walking trail."
"Nice fishing on the Ontonagon River and big marina close-by. Porcupine Mountains just minutes down the road. Nice selection of books and DVDs to borrow too. Great play area for kids."
"Just a few blocks from the Ontonagon city marina. Somewhat close to city beaches on Lake Superior. The bathrooms and showers are always clean. Nice pull through sites and full hookups."
"We found this campground on a walk around the town of Ontonagon, but didn't get a chance to camp here as it was already closed for the season. "
"There are a good amount of people here but it is quiet and I had four lake sites to choose from upon evening arrival. Beautiful view to wake up to and close to plenty of hiking."
"Our site was very close to the playground and we could see our kids playing there from our site."
"This is a beautiful campground right next to the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park in the U P of Michigan."
from $28 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Campsite LS-14 had a lovely location on the lake, but was very muddy/previously submerged with water. It immediately abuts site LS-13."
"After driving up from Chicago, checking in, and then driving to Little Carp River Road, finally ready to hike at 4pm."
from $20 - $140 / night
Check Availability"The gravel drive was uphill so we ended up turning the camper 90 degrees. 2 miles after the main campground check in you will find the small road to the Union River Outpost campsites."
"There is a bridge and really nice trail along the river with waterfalls right at the end of the campground."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Many are situated 20-40 feet on hillside above. Heavy tree growth limits view of the lake."
"Access road off highway is paved, unlike many other national forest campgrounds. Some sites are very spacious and/or on waterfront."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"So the drive-in sites are literally all right next to each other, no privacy at all."
"Presque Isle Campground is located at the southern edge of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. "
from $20 / night
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GuideStayed two nights while visiting the area. Restroom are kept clean. Showers had great water pressure and hot, hot water. Fairly new electrical upgrades. Many lots are small in size and gravel pads uneven. Section with FHU sites are grouped together. Easy on/off US-2.
ScoutTh upper camping area has 3x the number of sites there is space for. The lake and perimeter sites are much better. In the upper space, it's like a group camp on a large patch of grass. Firepits are only 10 feet apart in most areas. Shameful for a state park facility. Staff was very friendly though.
TravelerThe whole way is paved except for the driveway that leads you into a singular site with central fire pit. Practically on the side of the road, so it can be noisy with the occasional traffic which is not much. Almost unnervingly quiet at night, no crickets, nothing. Looks like you can go further down the unpaved road, but it was really overgrown with vegetation, dipped into what looked like a ditch and it looked like no one has been down that way in a long time. Good for a single night stay if you want to drive that far into the forest.
RangerAlthough it does not have any amenities, it is the perfect spot to stay the night. There is one place to camp when you first pull off the highway and further down the trail there are 2 spots next to each other.
ScoutOne thing you can always count on at Baraga State Park is cleanliness and polite staff
ScoutWe are here in a 38 foot class A. Roads are decent except the last quarter mile. Site is beautiful. Nice lake for paddle boarding. Marginal solar. Good Starlink. Only 2 sites occupied.
GuidePulled in to find well kept campground. Toilets available, but did not use as our camping unit was self-contained. No sites are actually on the water. Many are situated 20-40 feet on hillside above. Heavy tree growth limits view of the lake.
ScoutNot too many bugs, road noise isnt bad, great view of the lake
LegendStayed Sept 28 to October 1st 2025
Site#1, no water or electricity. Cellular, T-Mobile LTE to 5G Awesome view of Lake Superior as long as no one is on site 15.
Shower/Bath, about 100-300 feet depending on how you walk. Newer facilities and clean, separate showers from the shitters.
Staff, 5-stars. Firewood$5 cash only, did not burn well and I didn’t have my moisture meter to measure.
Aurora was out every night after 10pm. Found a few Yooperlites on the beach area.
Backcountry camping options near Ontonagon, Michigan provide diverse experiences from wooded trails to lakefront sites. The area sits at the northwestern edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where temperatures average 75°F in summer with frequent rainfall. Cell service remains unreliable across most campgrounds, especially in backcountry areas where disconnecting is both inevitable and often desired by visitors.
Experience winter camping: Union River Big Bear Campground offers opportunities for camping during less crowded seasons. "We stayed at the end of April/beginning of May so the campground itself was not open meaning no access to water or restroom facilities which was okay for us," notes one visitor to Union Bay Campground.
Explore waterfalls: Within 30 minutes of most campsites near Ontonagon are several accessible falls. "Hiked Sturgeon River Falls about an hour away," mentions a camper at Twin Lakes State Park Campground, who also noted the "fall colors were stunning!"
Try multiple trail difficulties: Porcupine Mountains offers options for all skill levels. "Great for beginning backpackers and those who want a longer trip, the Porcupine Mountains offer 100+ miles of trails. Can make 2-3 day loops, or do in and out hikes," explains a visitor to Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping.
Sandy beaches: Lake Superior shorelines offer swimming opportunities. "The sunsets on the sandy beach that is connected to the campground were a highlight," notes a camper at Ontonagon Township Park Campground, adding "the beach area was nice with a nice big sandy beach for the kids."
Winter yurt options: Heated accommodations provide cold-weather alternatives to tents. A visitor described their experience: "Inside the yurt there are 2 bunk beds and a wood burning stove, along with a small table and chairs I believe. Outside there is a picnic table and fire ring - since we came at the end of the winter season, the campground provided some wood for us upon arrival."
Waterfront campsites: Sites directly on lakes receive highest demand. "We had a site in the shade, directly on the lake. There were quite a few muddy spots at our & surrounding sites due to a lot of recent rain," reports a camper at Lake Gogebic State Park Campground.
Backcountry challenges: Prepare for variable conditions on remote trails. "I was warned the Lake Superior trail was muddy when I checked in, and the ranger was not joking - I was grateful to have trekking poles to help balance on logs, branches, roots and rocks to try to keep my boots as dry as possible in the parts of the trail that were submerged."
Reservation limitations: Some campgrounds don't accept advance bookings. "They don't do reservations, but despite having 10+ sites available, they're holding them for people who may never come," reported one frustrated camper. Another noted: "You really have to be there, in person by 7AM to wait in line to get a site."
Wildlife considerations: Bears are present in the area. One camper at Courtney Lake Campground mentioned: "Local black bears" are present, while another noted food storage containers are provided "so no bears try to break into your yurt."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "My wife and daughter definitely appreciated the beach and playground. If we are back in that area I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again," notes a visitor to Ontonagon Township Park.
Alternative activities for bug season: Indoor options help during peak insect times. "The campground was close to all of the hiking in the area as well as some good beach for rock hounds," explains one camper, providing options when bugs are problematic.
Spacious sites for kids: Look for larger areas when traveling with children. "The sites are nice and some of the lower numbered sites are situated right along the shores of Lake Superior. The biggest downfall is that the sites are pretty close together," observed one visitor, suggesting careful site selection is important for families.
Power options: Multiple parks offer different hookup configurations. "We nabbed the last place on the beach side and could see Lake Superior from the site. Camp hosts were very accommodating considering we roll in just as they're locking up shop around 8:00pm," explains a late arrival to Ontonagon Township Park, noting they found "power/water posts (no generators, yay!)."
Big rig considerations: Site selection matters for larger vehicles. A camper at River Road RV Park, Campground and Bunkhouse observed: "The campground seems to be well maintained and some of the sites are large. Our site was grass and had some ruts from previous guests. It sounded like they had a lot of rain earlier in the summer."
Winter parking challenges: Off-season camping requires additional logistics planning. "We were unable to drive all the way up to the yurt like you would in the summer time. We had to park outside the campground and walk across the entire thing with our stuff - we took 2-3 trips as we didn't plan for this and packed as though we were car camping."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Ontonagon, Michigan?
The Ontonagon area offers several excellent camping options. Union Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park stands out with approximately 100 electric sites, modern bathrooms, and stunning Lake Superior views. The lakeside sites are especially popular and should be booked six months in advance. For RV travelers, River Road RV Park, Campground and Bunkhouse provides well-maintained spaces with full hookups, particularly suitable for longer Class A and C motorhomes, plus easy access to the Ontonagon River with docks for fishing enthusiasts.
What amenities are available at Ontonagon camping areas?
Amenities vary across Ontonagon's camping areas. Burned Dam Campground offers a more rustic experience with in-ground fire pits, picnic tables, and trash hanging posts at each site. It's situated beside the Ontonagon River where you can hear rushing water from nearby falls. For those seeking more facilities, Ontonagon Township Park and Campground provides a developed camping experience in a scenic setting close to town. Most developed campgrounds in the area offer the standard picnic table and fire ring combination, with electric hookups available at many sites.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Ontonagon, MI?
Summer (June-August) is ideal for camping in Ontonagon, offering warm temperatures perfect for enjoying Lake Superior's shoreline and the surrounding forests. Late summer into early fall (August-September) brings spectacular color changes to the Porcupine Mountains region, though campgrounds like Ontonagon County Park on Lake Gogebic become particularly popular with boaters during this season. Be prepared for black flies in late summer. Lake Gogebic State Park Campground provides good access to water recreation throughout the warm months. Many campgrounds close for the season by mid-October, so verify operating dates before planning fall trips.
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