Are you planning a tent camping trip to Ottawa National Forest? We've got you covered. Find the best tent camping sites near Ottawa National Forest. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
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.
Sylvania's abundant lakes provide plentiful non-motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing opportunities. Other popular activities include hiking and viewing wildlife.
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.
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 nights 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.
$15 / night
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Traveler
The Michigan Recreation Passport Solar does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas.
Guide
Great location, and has the basics for the camping. I was in site 44, and most of the sites in the "middle" were more of an open field with a couple of trees. There were no real clear boundary lines . If you are looking for a little more shade or tree cover, book a perimeter site. This is also the first campsite I've been to where the fire pit didn't have a grill grate on part of it. There is water on site, but it is the hand pump style, so it would help to have a large open container to capture the water.
Cell service was really spot (can be a good thing when camping), and I wasn't able to pick up a lot of radio stations either. Still nice to enjoy the quite dark skies. Short walk down stairs to Lake Superior which offered some great sunset views.
Lots of great hiking trails, and close to a lot of other fun attractions. I would plan on coming back up here another time, and possible pick a different site after being here.
Guide
We stayed for 3 nights. Lovely old and second growth trees. Bear and Wolf precautions, please. Hiking was good, fishing was good.
Traveler
You get a relatively flat site, fire ring, a picnic table, hand pump for water and vault toilets along with a beautiful clear water lake. There's a boat launch and firewood for sale. Reservations need to be made and paid online even if your fcfs. Cell phone and data are okay. There is tire noise from Highway M.
Very few folks around in September!
Honeymooned here in 1975. The location on the lake is beautiful. We camped here many times over the years. In tents, VW campers, trailers until about 20 years ago. Got a Sprinter RV this year and we're camped here now.
GuideNice spot to camp can fit trailer in parking area. There are two picknick tables and fire ring. Tent spot by lake boat access.
GuideTwo sites on lake some distance apart. Sand bottom on shore, picknick table and fire ring. No fee for camping can stay 14 days.
GuideStopped here to use shower it's a small campground had permanent sites and walkin tent sites. It was clean quiet bathroom was nice,long hot shower has dump station.
GuideSingle campsite on small lake. Room for small camper in parking less than 15 foot. Fire ring and picknick table. Road to get in is narrow and pot holed.
GuideOn small lake has fire ring and picknick table. Room for small camper 10to 15 foot also tents wilderness toilet. No motor lake
Guide
Small campsite along paved road,fire ring and picnic table ,wilderness toilet. Stayed two nights in September it was quiet fishing was so so. I had 8 foot pop up could fit a 20 footer easy or tent camp. Seen two fire ring along the right shore of lake accessable by water.
Guide
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.
Traveler
Very wooded and quiet camp area - only 3 sites total in this loop! Note that there is no cell service here or really nearby. Not an issue if you're prepared for that! Great that we could access hiking trails from camp! Great spot for exploring the Porcupines and also for some privacy compared to the modern campground in the park. Night and day difference and you can use the amenities which are like 5mins away
Traveler
We love the area. Very nice people, well run campground. Staying on Lake Superior is almost always beautiful. Sunsets are amazing!! The sites are generous and partially wooded. Drawbacks, no laundry facilities, even in town. Stores, restaurants and gas stations nearby but expensive. (Though there is a dollar store) They do not take reservations, so it’s a gamble to just show up. You really have to be there, in person by 7AM to wait in line to get a site.
Overall, great place to stay!!
Traveler
We come up every year for the meteor shower, and every stay is a great one. New shower rooms, and huge dog park are awesome!
Traveler
Awesome little campground on the south side of the Porcupines. It’s in a convenient location to the hiking around the park. The sites are large, the campground is small (and quiet) and there’s even a creek that runs along the west side of the campground. We stayed in site 1. If you do cook using the fire pit grates, they do not have them here in the fire pits at this campground. You need to reserve sites and check in at the visitor center before you head to the site. I’d highly recommend this place to anybody in a tent especially!
Guide
Beautiful campground had site 45 one week and site 72 the next both fcfs. Campground was quiet and clean. For those with out power there is outlets in shelter in middle of campground to charge batteries. Had phone service through boost mobile enough to stream movies
Traveler
Came to this campground for 3 days to hang out at the fireman’s picnic in arborvitae. The campground is old as dirt, had a nice lake for swimming and fishing but that’s it. Tiny game room with Pac-Man . 2 wash machines and couple dryers. The sites are very small. Electricity has no breakers to shut the juice off before hook up which is very dangerous . Water is good pressure. All in all the campground works if you don’t want to do anything and just sleep.
GuideA single campsite can park next to tent only. Access to lake
Guide
Tents only. Short walk to campsite only one on lake. 5 dollar parking national Forest.
ScoutThey don't do reservations, but despite having 10+ sites available, they're holding them for people who may never come.
Scout
We stayed at site 2 in the first loop on White Deer Lake. Site 7 on the water seemed like it would be a good site too, although there were steps on site 7. Site 1 and 2 had a trail between them that would make for a great double site, but they're each private enough that neighbors wouldn't be a bother. Site 2 had about 4 steps down to the tent pad that was easily large enough for our 10 person tent, the ground there mossy and grassy. The rest of the site by the picnic table and fire pit was lightly graveled. The fire pit deep and the removable grill grate perfect for the burgers and steaks we had while there. There is a single stall vault toilet for the white deer loop which was a little unfortunate as many times during the summer weekend, it was occupied when I walked over. Still it was stocked with TP, clean and spacious for a single stall. White Deer lake had a nice swimming beach area, the trail around the lake had many sandy access areas that my husband enjoyed some shoreline fishing. He caught a 9 inch bass and some panfish. Mosquitos were present, but not the worst I've ever experienced, the biting flies were plentiful, but stayed away with the help of a thermacell. Overall, we had a great weekend and would come back.
Traveler
Lake Cunard campground was designated a "Quiet" campground several years ago - one of only two in the 18 different Northern Highlands American Legion state forest campgrounds. That means no "noise producing devices", including generators, radios, TV's, video games, guitars, etc. No means none. Prohibited. It's good to know this before booking a reservation!
Also note that the posted rules for ALL campgrounds read, "At no time may a person engage in.. boisterous, unreasonably loud..or conduct that tends to cause a disturbance" - defined as " interfering with another person's enjoyment of the forest".
This transition in 2019 was perhaps difficult for long time visitors at Cunard to adjust to. However, the quieter experience there has become a favorite of many who appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. 👍 It is an older, more rustic property - and could use some updates (ie new toilets), but if you're looking for that serene Northwoods experience - Go!!
Traveler
Excellent place to stop. Close to the lake. Great site. Peaceful. Reasonably priced
ScoutSome of the sites are wide open with no privacy. Ours was the last one available on a weekend in July. Beach is small, but nice. Priveys are clean! 5G service with Tmobile.
Would definitely come back!
Traveler
We tented on lot 7 during the second week of June. It was very quiet. I was lucky to find this gem and you will only have spotty phone service at best. My dog had more fun than I did and we did a lot of hiking.
ScoutI love it here! However, as the camper above mentioned, probably not a safe place for anyone that is alone. it is free and therefore attracts vagrants. Cell service is 1/10 But it is beautiful and clean
Traveler
Beautiful spots, friendly staff, clean toilet and trash canat each site. Will definitely return.
Tent camping near Ottawa National Forest in Michigan offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.
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 23 tent camping locations near Ottawa National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
