3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Ottawa National Forest offers RV camping options in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with several dedicated campgrounds equipped for motorhomes of various sizes. River Road RV Park in Ontonagon provides full hookup RV sites with water, sewer, and electrical connections on level grass pads. "RVs spaced about awning to awning in a field," noted one camper about the spacing arrangement at River Road, though another mentioned it has "nice size lots, clean, quiet" environments. Borderline RV Park in Land O' Lakes, Wisconsin operates seasonally from May through October with pull-through RV pads that accommodate larger rigs. Land O' Lakes Nature RV Resort features 25 sites with 50-amp hookups and is designed specifically for adult RV travelers, while Union Bay Campground in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers electric sites without water hookups directly at campsites.
Many RV parks in the region require advance reservations, especially during peak summer and fall seasons when visitors explore the forest. Sanitary dump stations are available at several facilities including Ontonagon Township Park Campground and Lake Gogebic County Park, though the latter has limited cell service within the campground area. Winter camping options are limited, with most facilities closing between October and May due to heavy snowfall. Big rig access varies significantly—some reviewers noted challenging navigation at certain parks while others praised the spacious pull-through sites at newer facilities. Pets are permitted at most RV parks including Borderline and River Road, though Union Bay Campground maintains a no-pets policy. Propane fill services are uncommon throughout the area, requiring travelers to plan refills in larger towns before arriving at campgrounds.
"It is quite & peaceful, great place for relaxing. It has a pond, a lake, walking trails. This is are second time here and would like to keep coming back."
"This unique RV Resort is adults only but doesn't follow the typical 55+ rule and is available for younger adults as well! Check them out and make sure to leave a review on the Dyrt!"
from $50 - $56 / night
"Somewhat close to city beaches on Lake Superior. The bathrooms and showers are always clean. Nice pull through sites and full hookups. You can socialize or keep to yourselves."
"This is a very nicely maintained privately owned campground. Really great spaces for long Class A and C Motorhomes. Nice fishing on the Ontonagon River and big marina close-by."
"Right next to Black River. Sites sit back from highway so easy access and quiet. Open year round. Showers. Owner is friendly and very helpful."
"Clean facilities. There is plenty of space in between camping or RV spots. If your looking for a place that isn't crammed packed full of people this is it."
from $20 - $40 / night
"Numerous lakes nearby for fishing; a boat ramp into the Wisconsin River for canoes/kayaks is just across 45 I’ve been here April through October"
"The are 4 campground loops and many campsites out around the lakes. We chose a spot in loop 3. Our site is large with plenty of space for our teardrop and screen room. Water is right next to us."
"Shady private sites with ample mosquitoes. We were in a tent so did not appreciate the asphalt, but this site would be great for a small trailer."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $26 / night
from $35 - $45 / night
"RWT Campground is like no other, it's a private campground that has the look, feel and atmosphere of a State Park."
"Campground close to casino and lake Baraga. This is the best campground in the area."
"Wonderful campground beside Lake Superior. We had a site backed up to the lake and enjoyed the sound of Lake Superior waves!"
"My wife enjoyed that there were clean shower and toilet facilities."
"Kayaking 2 hours to get to a secluded campsite? Yes please! Problem was we ended up being 20 yards away from the next site... which was clearly visible through the clear old growth forest."
"Loon was a lovely campsite - separated from the others, nice view of the lake, and a short, straightforward walk from the trailhead. "
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when available
ScoutSite 28. Literally right on shore. Sleeping to the waves and waking up to endless water. T-Mobile says no coverage in Dyrt app, but I had two bars most of the time.
GuideWe stayed at Robinson Lake Dispersed Campground last night and really enjoyed it! It’s very easy to get to, located right off the highway, so you don’t have to worry about driving miles down rough backroads. There’s plenty of room to set up camp, and being right next to the lake makes it an even better spot.
There’s also plenty of downed wood around for a campfire, which is always a bonus when camping. It’s a great place to relax, enjoy the outdoors, and spend a night away from everything.
Definitely a spot we’d recommend and would stay at again!
RangerSites are very close together but the area is beautiful. Maybe it was unusual but it was very windy for 3 days in a row
ScoutNice quiet campground right on Lake Superior No electric sites
GuideHappened to stumble upon this gem of a campground.
TravelerBeautiful, quiet campground with a true wilderness feel. The three nearby waterfalls are a must-see, and make sure to spend some time exploring the riverbed around them—it was one of the highlights of our stay. Great location for hiking, scenery, and enjoying the natural side of the Porcupine Mountains.
GuideThis is a typical national forest primitive campground. For me, it was the perfect middle point while driving along the seven hour plane crash trail. The sites along the lake are really beautiful. I did see a fifth-wheel camper at one of the sites so larger trailers can fit at some sites. Most sites are level but a few aren’t.
I could not find this campground in recreation.gov, so it may be first come first serve only, not sure.
There are pit toilets and hand pumps for potable water.
It’s $22 per night unless you have a senior pass, etc. they use the honor system so there is no one here at the pay station.
There are 24 sites and counting me there was only three or four in use on a Sunday night.
TravelerWe camped with our camper and boat. It was very nice to keep our boat at the dock. There is a small swimming area with a pier. The campground doesn’t have many amenities but the staff was very helpful. We loved hiking in the campground and adjacent and nearby state forest hiking trails. Beautiful lake. The north side of the lake is Untouched state forest. The campground is close to many sightseeing spots such as museums and shops.
TravelerWe had a site along the lake, close to the bath house and across from the camp host. Barb house and showers very clean. Bought fire wood at a great a lot right down the road.
Ottawa National Forest spans over 993,000 acres in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, with elevations ranging from 660 to 1,900 feet. The region experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall and mild summers, creating distinct camping seasons. Most campgrounds near the forest have maximum stays between 14-16 days, with limited cell service throughout the area.
Fishing access points: Sparrow Rapids Campground offers direct access to river fishing. "The small campground nestles sites in close but still gives some privacy on most of them... The dirt road provides a nice long walk for our dog too," notes Art S. The campsite includes six level sites situated around a loop.
Hiking trails: Sylvania (Clark Lake) Campground provides access to scenic forest trails. "We hiked around part of Clark Lake. It's a beautiful trail and also has some backcountry campsites," shares Art S. The 8-10 mile Clark Lake loop trail is particularly popular, with Ellery K. describing it as "gorgeous the whole way."
Disc golf course: Ontonagon Township Park Campground offers disc golf facilities alongside its beach and camping areas. "There is a playground and disc golf in the area and lots of other things to do," mentions Yetiman. The campground also features walking trails near Lake Superior.
Sandy beaches: Lakefront sites at Ontonagon Township Park provide excellent swimming. "The sunsets on the sandy beach that is connected to the campground were a highlight," writes Cullen H. "The water felt so good, we ran back up and got into trunks to swim. Brisk but totally swimmable," adds Kevin.
Secluded spots: Sparrow Rapids Campground attracts campers seeking quiet. "Six good sites, all level. Nicely separated. Outhouse well cared for. No water. Fire rings. Pack in pack out," explains Bill F. The five-mile dirt road leading to the campground ensures minimal traffic and privacy.
Wildlife viewing: Union Bay Campground in Porcupine Mountains offers natural habitats. "We could walk to the visitor center via a short wooded trail, walk or drive to a small convenience store with firewood, and step over to Lake Superior each evening for sunrise," describes Christine C. Bear precautions are required throughout the area.
Insect preparation: Bug protection is essential, particularly during summer. "While we were camping the flies were unbearable. Bug spray was no match for the flies, so we were forced to spend most of our time in the screen room," reports Cody S. about Union Bay Campground. Black flies are especially prevalent in July and August.
Cell coverage varies: Some campgrounds maintain reliable service. At Alpine Campground & RV Park, campers note: "We were happy to have service in the woods. We were able to work and talk nice walks while we had free time. A few bars with Verizon and we can log on. Big plus," according to Sarah W.
First-come, first-served policies: Many campgrounds don't take reservations. "You really have to be there, in person by 7AM to wait in line to get a site," advises Susan H. about Ontonagon Township Park. Weekday arrivals generally have better chances of securing spots than weekend arrivals.
Playground facilities: Family-friendly amenities make camping with children easier. "My wife enjoyed that there were clean shower and toilet facilities. I would be fine at a more rustic camp site deep in the woods but my wife and daughter definitely appreciated the beach and playground," writes Cullen H. about Ontonagon Township Park.
Safety considerations: Union Bay Campground requires wildlife precautions. "When you stay here, don't forget to put your trash in your car! We didn't and we're visited by a pretty sassy raccoon," warns Emma W. Food storage containers are provided at some sites to prevent bear encounters.
Age-restricted options: Land O' Lakes Nature RV Resort offers adult-only camping. "This unique RV Resort is adults only but doesn't follow the typical 55+ rule and is available for younger adults as well!" explains Jake C. This provides a quieter alternative for families with older children or adults traveling without kids.
Site size considerations: RV camping near Ottawa National Forest requires careful planning for larger rigs. "Our site was grass and had some ruts from previous guests," notes Sam C. about River Road RV Park. Alpine Campground offers "pull thru sites where just long enough for our 35' trailer and truck to stay connected."
Monthly options: Some campgrounds allow extended stays. "Great community in the park for summer/early fall living. Numerous lakes nearby for fishing; a boat ramp into the Wisconsin River for canoes/kayaks is just across 45," explains Susan T. about Borderline RV Park, which operates seasonally from May through October.
Hookup limitations: Electric options vary between parks. "We nabbed the last place on the beach side and could see Lake Superior from the site," shares Kevin about Ontonagon Township Park, which provides "power/water posts (no generators, yay!)." Some campgrounds offer only 30-amp service while others provide 50-amp connections for larger motorhomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Ottawa National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Ottawa National Forest is Land O' Lakes Nature RV Resort with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find RV camping near Ottawa National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 117 RV camping locations near Ottawa National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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