Best Cabin Camping near Ontonagon, MI

Mclain State Park Campground is the first Campground that you will encounter upon entering the Keweenaw peninsula of Michigan. It is located directly on the shore of Lake Superior off of Highway 203, and is within quick driving distance of many food options, grocery stores, and gas stations, not to mention Walmart. McClain has campsites and cabins available, reservations are recommended as it does get busy in the summer. The cabins are available for year-round rental and make for a cozy place to come back to after hunting or snowmobiling.

Have not camped here yet but the whole area is amazingly beautiful. Yurts and Cabins available. Definitely Seasonal. the road is not plowed completely in winter.

What a surprise! Some campsites are right on the lake shore with beautiful views of the lake. Fantastic sunsets, swimming in clear waters. Cabins are clean and well kept w electricity and AC. Woodsy sites are buggy.

The wife and I are about to return to McLain after stumbling across it 7 years ago. We stayed in one of the cabins last time, this year we will be in a tent. Campground has beautiful sunsets, the lake is a stones throw away from anywhere you camp here. Showers were clean. Lots to see on the Keweenaw.

I’ll do another review after my next trip end of August.

Ok so maybe I'm biased because I've been here so many times, but this park is a little slice of heaven.  Because the weather on the lake is extremely variable, you never really know what your experience will be like until just before you go.  If it's hot, no problem, you have an ice cold lake a few steps away!  Mosquitoes can be bad, so bring the spray.  

Access to Lake Superior can't be beat - there is plenty of room to spread out and avoid a crowd, if you're so inclined.  

There are cabins to rent, but they typically fill up with reservations pretty quickly.  There are a few campsites that are more private, but in many cases you might have neighbors close by.  There's a fantastic ice cream shop on the far end of the park - you can either hike nicely groomed trails to get to it, or take a car or bike on the paved road.  There's also a good sized playground, large field, picnic shelters, and a horseshoe pit.

We stayed in this rustic campground mid-week in mid-September and were glad to find it wasn't busy or noisy. I think we hit it just right post-summer and pre-autumn colors (although several patches of trees along the way were blazing with fall color!). Loved that it had a 'no generator' side to help with the quiet we were seeking. While I had first booked Site 19 because all the lake sites were taken and I liked its privacy tucked into the woods a bit, we found that it was almost all dirt and, with rain expected, we didn't want to hang out in a mud bowl. We went back to the ranger and he recommended Site 11, which was actually super nice--still somewhat private but also grassy and with a slight view of Lake Superior.  I think 18 would be great, too, if the lake sites are unavailable. All of those looked awesome, with my favorites being #10 and #6. Site 10 was right across from us and was vacant for the majority of our stay, which allowed us to set our chairs on the bluff overlooking the lake and read and enjoy the views. 

The weather was unseasonably warm for mid-September and Lake Superior was oddly calm. This resulted in some flies, which was a bummer. Every night, though, the winds kicked up around dinner time and they were gone. When they were hanging around, though, (mostly mornings), they made cooking miserable and also the pit toilets buzzed with them, which was not fun. But I think once the autumn temps kick in and the winds sustain a bit, they'd be much less of an issue. 

The park is in an amazing location, with the Presque Isle River running through it and phenomenal hiking trails/vistas right there. It was also an easy drive to Lake of the Clouds, Summit Peak, and Ontonagon. Just stunning forests, waterfalls, hills and drives and, of course, the incomparable Lake Superior all within easy reach. We also stopped at Bond Falls on our way to the Porkies from the east, which was beautiful. 

Love the UP; love the remoteness yet accessibility (if that makes sense) of this campground; love tent camping on Lake Superior; love this place.

The sites are overly spacious and well disbursed. Everything is super clean. Over a mile of beach gives every camper enough room to feel like the entire lake is there‘s to enjoy alone. I couldn’t be much happier with this campground. The best state campground I’ve been to in Michigan so far. It’s a gem.

This was a GREAT campground to stay at for checking out some of the numerous popular waterfalls in upper Michigan. Our grassy site was on the shore of the lake with lots of trees. It felt quite secluded and the park wasn't too busy. The facilities were clean and the park rangers were very friendly and helpful. We like trying new campsites on each trip, but this was pretty ideal so we might be back next year!

I will be totally transparent and say I definitely prefer rustic or dispersed campsites.. however, I always give state parks an honest chance.

Baraga State Park... I have tried. Ohh, have I tried to like you over the years.

However, this is the WORST example of what a Michigan DNR campground can be. They squeezed in WAY too many sites in this place. You can hear the campers next to you fart in their sleep.

Not even a stones throw from US-41 makes for constant road noise... and sites that have been submerged in water a day following rainfall. You always see campers here moving their tents, RV’s, etc... to drier portions of their sites.

The only reason I give this TWO stars is because of the well-kept and nice bathhouse.

I stop here solely to shower during my travels. I will stay on the side of the road before I set up camp here again.

Bond Falls is a little difficult to figure out if you haven't done your homework before visiting. You will show up to Bond Falls looking for a campground. You will see a self-registration board at the falls but it has NOTHING to do with camping. It is only to register your vehicle for the daily admittance pass if you have not already done so. Problem, it is the same form and envelope in every other Michigan State park so you will see the line for camping fees on the form and it can be a bit confusing.

The falls are very pretty and worth checking out. There is no "campground" per se. There are campsites strung along the banks all around the lake, there are even a few camp sites on some islands in the middle of the lake. The camp sites are managed by a power company. They have a visitor center right off the main road outside of the park entrance where you can get all of the information you need.

Do your homework before you commit the time and resources to camping at Bond Falls.

Presque Isle is a rustic campground in the Porcupine Mountains on Lake Superior in Michigan. Not to be mistaken for the Presque Isle campground in WIsconsin.

The hiking is great and it has a majestic feel camping on top of a bluff looking out to Lake Superior. This is my kind camping. It doesn't get five stars because it lacks some amenities but it is secluded and there are plenty of open campsites.

The park is clean. There are trees everywhere with a large canopy providing a lot of shade. There is plenty of parking for your vehicle. The only downside to the campground is the campsites are very open and not very private, but there is a lot of space.

The Park is a little difficult to find if you have never been there before. It is about 17 miles from Wakefield and highway 28. Just follow the signs and you will get there.

FYI: While you are in Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park make sure you checkout Union Bay campground, it is right on the shore of Lake Superior.

Don't miss the hiking trails!

If you're a person who loves waterfalls, then I recommend you don’t miss this campground.  Presque Isle Campground is located at the southern edge of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  This campground has bluff overlooking Lake Superior, there is a walkway and stairs that take you down the bluff to the shore.  Walking distance from the campground is the Presque River you can hike along and see all the beautiful waterfalls this river has to offer.  This is a Rustic campground that has vault toilets, and hand pump drinking water. The campground, restrooms and surrounding area’s were kept very clean. There are 50 campsites that are equipped for tents, trailers, and RV’s.  Each site has a fire pit, and picnic table.  There is no electrical hook up, and part of the campground is generator free.  Six of the sites are walk in sites, there are parking spots for these sites, you park and walk in a little ways to your site.  I recommend a site that is located on the outer sides of the campground loop.  They are larger sites and more privacy from your neighbors.  Inner loop sites are closer together and open.  Be prepared for mosquitoes and blackflies.  Blackflies bite, and bug spray does not affect them.  I found keeping a hand towel or fly swatter moving around me helped keep them away.  They are more active when it is humid, and down by the water.  These flies seem to be common up here along the shore.

There are many things to do around the campground close to your site and others are a little bit of a drive from your site in the Porcupine Mountains State Park.  If you like to stay close to your camp, you can hang out on the beach, hike along the Presque Isle River and discover the Manabezho Falls, Manido Falls, and the Nawadaha Falls.  Also the Lake Superior Trail and North Country Trail are right by the campground.  These trails will connect you with other trails in the Porcupine Mountains.  The Porcupine Mountains have lot’s to offer anyone stopping to visit.  We took and day and seen The Lake of the Clouds, and Summit Peak.  They both are gorgeous areas to explore.  

Campground Review:

There are a couple of camping options in the Porcupine Mountains of northern Michigan. Presque Isle is a primitive campground on the western side of the park. There are 50 sites, with generator and non-generator sites clearly separated (although that didn’t stop some idiot from parking his RV on the edge of the non-generator side and running his generator until 2am- the only one running a generator in all 50 sites). On the non-generator side sites on the outside of the loop back to either the woods or the lake and have great hammocking options. Sites on the inside of the loop are kind of in the open, with no privacy and just a few hammocking trees. All of the campground is well shaded. The vault toilets were clean, but in need of being pumped out. There is a steep trail to the lake (some of this is covered in staircases, but the last scramble is down a steep slope). The trailhead to the waterfall trails is located in the generator side of the campground. There is also a trail to the lake and a small beach where you could swim.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt I get to review products from time to time. On this trip I got to review the Matador DL16 Backpack. I found this to be a really handy day pack to have around for this trip. While I brought my Osprey Talon daypack, I never used it, instead grabbing this little guy time and time again. This was a super convenient pack to toss in my gear tub and pull out (literally) when I wanted a small lightweight option.

Here’s what I liked:

1. When packed up in its little bag it fits in the palm of my hand. That means it easily fits in my gear tub for storage.
2. It weighs nothing. This was especially nice when my body was sore and tired from all of the hiking I was doing.
3. The side mesh pockets expanded to hold my nalgene water bottles with no problem. I have had other small day packs that can’t handle a 32 ounce bottle. This one handles two with no problem.
4. The front pocket is deep! Usually a front pocket is really shallow and barely holds your keys, let alone your phone. On the Matador DL16 Backpack I was able to put my key, phone, map, and granola bar in the front pocket with room for more, even with the main compartment full with my camera and rain gear.
5. The shoulder straps look flimsy but were able to handle the load without cutting into my shoulders. They also never seemed wet when I sweated through. Quick dry to the rescue! They also had easy adjustment straps that never seemed to be hanging down in the way.

Here are the things I think could be improved:

1. It would be nice to have one or two loops to clip on extra items.
2. I wish it had either a sternum strap or hip belt to help carry the load better.

Overall, I really liked this for carrying a light load on a day hike.

Roomy wooded sites right on Lake Gogebic which is the Upper Peninsula’s largest inland lake. 2 fairly clean bathroom and shower areas, volleyball net, basketball hoop, beach/ swim area, kayaks available, boat launch, walking trails.

We loved staying at Lake Gogebic!

There’s a beach a short walk through the campground and the site hosts are super friendly. There are sites that back up to US-64 so I’d recommend the middle or lakeside sites. The sites are also really big!! Park policy says you can either have 1 RV/trailer per site (with an added tent) or as many tents that can fit on the site, which is a great policy IMO. There is also ice for sale at the front of the campground; $2 per bag. There are electricity hookups but they’re spaced out weird so, depending on site, you’ll need a long extension cord to get power to your site.

I will say there was A LOT of kids around, riding their bikes/scoters/rollerblades and yelling at each other. It was a little annoying but we looked past it; if that’s a dealbreaker, maybe look for a different campground!

The weather was cool for 2/3 nights we were there so would recommend some warmer clothes and blankets. Not terribly bugging when it’s cooler, but the 1 day it was warmer there were a lot.

Overall, it was a great stay and if we ever find ourselves up in that area again we would stay again!

This state park has a beach and many sites are on the lake. We've stayed here several times over the years. Our favorite spots are along the lake - we'd drop our canoe in and paddle out for sunset views. Fishing is decent on this big lake. Showers work, most sites have electric (water and dump station are available).

Loved this camping trip. Great park. Super helpful and friendly staff/hosts. Clean bathrooms, pet friendly. Awesome location on Lake Gogebic shore. Close to Porcupine Mountains and Bond Falls and hiking trails. Would love to visit again.

07/02 We pulled up to the office with our RV and a trailer attached with a sxs on.  The girl was nice gave me a map with directions to our campsite and sent us on our way.  At our campsite we disconnected the trailer took off the sxs and set up camp.  We then decided to take a ride because we had forgotten a few things and we were meeting up with my son for the 4th so we thought we would look for trails.  We stopped at the office to see if they had trail maps, when I walked in the girl (Chelsey) slammed the window shut and told me she hated those things. I asked if she had a trail map and all she said was "we have no trails around here." Chelsey needs to take a class in customer service she was very rude.  As we left we saw several other sxs going down the road so we knew there were tails.  We stopped at the Gogebic Lodge and saw they were serving a lobster boil so we decided to go back to get money from the camper as we pulled in there was the camp ranger waiting for us and signaled for us to pull over.  He then told us that sxs were not permitted in State parks.  I told him we go camping in our local state park all the time and they are all over the campground.  His name was Eli and took the time to talk to us and explain and did a great job but that meant we had no means of transportation at all.  I also asked why when we registered or stopped for a trail map were we not told of that rule, he couldn't answer that but agreed we should have been told.  He also stated it was on the website.  Well it is on the state website we booked on the Gogebic State park website.  I feel if state parks are going to have different rules it should be stated on the website you book your stay.  He also said we could park our sxs out by the road and walk to use it but we are both handicapped and we couldn't walk that far.  We felt like prisoners at our campsite we couldn't go and get wood for  a fire or the extra supplies at the store down the road.  Finally on the morning of the 4th i decided I could maybe walk to the office and carry 1 bundle of wood so we could have a fire on the 4th. Our original plan was to meet my son and his family and go to all the different 4th events in the area but we could no longer do that.  When I got to the office the girl there took my money and told me where to grab the wood, she then asked if I was walking and I explained the situation, and she said oh your the one.  But offered to drive the bundle of wood to our site which I thought was very kind.  When I got back to our site we decided to call and see if she could bring a couple more bundles.  I called she asked if I could hold, she put the phone down and I could hear her switching sites for someone then she asked if they needed wood or ice and they took wood and she told them it was last of the wood.  So when she came back to me she said they were out of wood and I told her I had already paid for my wood and that last bundle should have been mine.  I was told to try the store up the road, and that she would be dropping off my money to me.  The store up the road even if she knew I couldn't.  My experience at this campground was very disappointing.  I felt the they did not communicate with us and when they tried to they were rude.  I will never camp here again in fact I will think twice about camping at any state park again.

Love this campground had water site beautiful lake quiet was by road but not lot traffic bathrooms nice site were good staff was great camp host was very nice friendly Great beach  lot mosquitoes  but your in woods,will come back we loved it

Second time staying here and it was great. I didn’t get a lakeside spot like the previous stay but it was still great. Clean facilités. Wood and ice available onsite. Beach, boat ramp, dump station, and a great view.

We stayed here the 2nd week of October. They were actually turning the water off for the year when we left. We had the park mostly to ourselves. They water access is nice and it is right off a main highway, although it was not too noisy. There are some state park hiking trails access from campground, also. Facilities were pretty standard state park fair.  Sites seem to have plenty of room.

Nice campground. Lots of RVs but decent tent spots. Cool little park with swimming area.

Overall a decent Campground. Lots are spacious. Layout of fire pit on sites are poor. For example lot 76, fire is offset to the left of the electrical post. This is a problem since majority of RVs have awnings on the right side and electrical hook up on the back left side. Our fire pit ended up behind the camper. Poor layout by campsite personnel. “DNR Officer” that oversees the grounds is a zealot on dog leashes! “Your dog must be on a six foot leash even while swimming,” he yelled at me. Being an owner of a finely trained Labrador Retriever that I was exercising in the water, I doubt I will be back!!!!!!!!

Wonderful location, helpful staff, will be back.

Sites are not very private or wooded but the lake access is great and there great amenities including cable tv access at some sites. Bathrooms were closed at our visit tho.

This rating is only based upon what we look for in a campground. You may enjoy this type of adventure. 

Our campsite is the furthest non electric from the restrooms and they put a vault toilet right next to the main restroom instead of over this way. We do have wonderful evening shade which is helpful on this hot weekend. However the main road is 20 yards away. The vegetation doesn’t stop the noise level. There is water, garbage and a dump station. Even with our small setup we squeezed into our site (on our last day we realized that the site was larger but it wasn’t well marked). 

The campground etiquette is another issue we faced. Kids playing is wonderful is camp. However at night the volume went up. At 11 pm someone started up loud music with bass cutting through into our sleep. Between 12 and 1 people were still partying but also driving through camp. The narrow spacing means headlights in our camper. Having fun is great but it’s also important to respect your neighbor campers. It did settle down after the first night but we still had field hockey pucks hitting our camper a few times. 

There is a beach and picnic area which is also a nice place to walk the dog. The sandy beach was popular on this hot weekend. There is a large picnic shelter too. At the end is the boat launch. This is a larger lake so we have seen plenty of boats. The road through this area is almost a mile long. A trail heads out from there and goes into the woods across the road. It was longer than expected and didn’t have clear trail markers so we struggled to get back before it got dark. However it was great having a trail a few miles long right from camp.

This place wasn’t for us but then again this is only one weekend of campers. Perhaps it will be much different for your experience.

All I remember are the mosquitoes. everywhere. Huge black flies as well. It was like an episode of Naked and Afraid. I wanted to tap out.