Top Tent Camping near Ottawa National Forest

Looking for the best Ottawa National Forest tent camping? Finding a place to camp in Michigan with your tent has never been easier. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Ottawa National Forest, MI (21)

    Camper-submitted photo from Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

    1.

    Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping

    4 Reviews
    12 Photos
    20 Saves
    Watersmeet, Michigan

    Overview

    Planning a trip to the Sylvania Wilderness? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. __ The Sylvania Wilderness encompasses 18,327 acres of primitive lands and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Visitors can camp in 50 designated campsites within the Sylvania Wilderness. Visitors enjoy endless canoeing, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.

    Recreation

    Sylvania's abundant lakes provide plentiful non-motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing opportunities. Other popular activities include hiking and viewing wildlife.

    Facilities

    Sylvania's abundant lakes provide plentiful non-motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing opportunities. Other popular activities include hiking and viewing wildlife.

    Natural Features

    The old-growth forests and pristine lakes in the region provide habitat for a wide range of animal and plant life, including rare orchids, bald eagles, loons and osprey. The wilderness contains 34 named lakes, some with sandy beaches and others surrounded by record-size red and white pines. The Ottawa National Forest is comprised of nearly 1 million acres and is located in the western reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The forest's rolling, tree covered hills extend from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. Lakes, rivers and waterfalls are found throughout this beautiful landscape.

    Charges & Cancellations

    Cancellations If you cancel reservation at least 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus a $10 cancellation fee and the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) will be refunded. If you cancel reservation less than 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus $10 cancellation fee, reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center), and first night___s use fee will be refunded. The reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) is non-refundable. No Show Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.__ For more information about rules and reservation policies, visit the Recreaiton.gov Rules and Reservations Policy page.____

    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Toilets
    • Alcohol

    $15 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Burned Dam Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Burned Dam Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Burned Dam Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Burned Dam Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Burned Dam Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Burned Dam Campground

    2.

    Burned Dam Campground

    2 Reviews
    13 Photos
    25 Saves
    Watersmeet, Michigan

    This rustic campground provides visitors with access to deep woods with fishing and canoeing opportunities on the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River. This dispersed campground is just a short walk from Mex-i-mine Falls. As you overlook this jewel you can feel the history when loggers used this area to transport their product to the saw mills.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Picnic Table
    • Drinking Water
    Camper-submitted photo from Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness
    Camper-submitted photo from Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness

    3.

    Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness

    3 Reviews
    2 Photos
    36 Saves
    Watton, Michigan

    The Wild and Scenic Sturgeon River rushes out of the northern portion of this wilderness, over the 20 foot volcanic outcroppings of Sturgeon Falls, and through a gorge that reaches 350 feet in depth and a mile in width. Throughout this rugged, steep Wilderness, the Sturgeon and Little Silver Rivers and their tributaries have carved falls, rapids, ponds, oxbows, and terraces. Stunning views are possible from the eastern rim of the gorge. Except for a few naturally bare slopes, most of the land is forested with pine, hemlock, aspen, sugar maple, birch, and basswood. When the leaves of the hardwoods change color in the fall, they form a vivid tapestry. There are few established trails in Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, and the few overgrown logging roads are hard to find and follow. The North Country National Scenic Trail parallels the northern and eastern boundaries for about eight miles. Sturgeon River Campground offers seven sites on the southeastern boundary. In spring and during peak runoff, kayaking and white water canoeing are challenging, and only recommended for advanced paddlers. Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Map

    • Phone Service
    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • No image available

      4.

      Robbins Pond Campground

      1 Review
      21 Saves
      Ottawa National Forest, Michigan

      This deep woods dispersed campground is located on Robbins Pond, a well known trout pond. It features three campsites and is located in the northeast corner of the Watersmeet Ranger District. Currently there are limited services provided at this campground.

      • Tents
      Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Junction
      Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Junction
      Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Junction
      Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Junction
      Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Junction
      Camper-submitted photo from Boulder Junction

      5.

      Boulder Junction

      2 Reviews
      30 Photos
      1 Save
      Eagle River, Wisconsin
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Reservable
      • Tents
      • Group
      Camper-submitted photo from Big Lake State Forest Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Big Lake State Forest Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Big Lake State Forest Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Big Lake State Forest Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Big Lake State Forest Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Big Lake State Forest Campground

      6.

      Big Lake State Forest Campground

      3 Reviews
      23 Photos
      25 Saves
      Covington, Michigan

      Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Tents
      • Cabins
      • Standard (Tent/RV)
      Camper-submitted photo from Emily Lake State Forest Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Emily Lake State Forest Campground

      7.

      Emily Lake State Forest Campground

      2 Reviews
      2 Photos
      25 Saves
      Nisula, Michigan

      Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-ppl

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • ADA Access
      • Tents
      • Standard (Tent/RV)
      • No image available

        8.

        Paint River Forks NF Campground

        2 Reviews
        4 Saves
        Iron River, Michigan

        This campground is a small rural campground that offers river bank camping. Located at the fork of the South and North Branch of the Paint River it offers canoeing and fishing opportunities.

        • Tents
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        • Picnic Table
        • Alcohol
        Camper-submitted photo from Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

        9.

        Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

        2 Reviews
        14 Photos
        113 Saves
        White Pine, Michigan

        From the MI DNR Porcupine Mountains website:

        Union River Outpost is a small three-site rustic campground located on the Union River. The campground offers solitude and a camping experience unlike a typical modern campground. Union River is a classic UP trout stream. The sites are ideal for tent, van or compact campers.

        There is a vault toilet, but no running water is available at any of the outpost campgrounds. Fill up at park headquarters or visitor center.

        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Tents
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        • Alcohol
        Camper-submitted photo from Bates Township Park
        Camper-submitted photo from Bates Township Park
      Showing results 1-10 of 21 campgrounds

      Recent Tent Reviews In Ottawa National Forest

      484 Reviews of 21 Ottawa National Forest Campgrounds


        No Reviews Found



      Frequently Asked Questions

      Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ottawa National Forest?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ottawa National Forest is Sylvania Wilderness Backcountry Camping with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.

      What is the best site to find tent camping near Ottawa National Forest?

      TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Ottawa National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.