Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Michigan camping adventure.
"The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a camping experience that should not be missed."
"Campground Review
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is great for backpackers. We camped at Lowney Creek and parked at the Beaver Lake Basin Overlook. "
$15 / night
"its in the middle of nowhere, on a lake, super freaking beautiful and theres hardly many people around. i cant wait to go back honestly. vault toilets & no showers, no electric either. super rustic"
"Great little campground in the middle of nowhere. 15 minute drive off the beaten path keeps the crowds away. Couple spots right on the water. Vault toilets were fairly clean and stocked."
"The water was cold but I didn’t care, I just had to swim in this beautiful lake. The boats going by were awesome to watch and I was blessed with the best weather! Perfect Day, Perfect Beach!"
"Great location"
"This campground is about a 15 drive on a dirt road south of H-58 that runs along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore."
"Canoe Lake State Forest Campground is located on Canoe lake which is a small lake in the Lake Superior State Forest. This is a Rustic and first come first serve campground."
"This was a nice spot - very close to the lighthouse to catch the sunset. Au Sable East has a group campsite and another nearby area with six individual sites."
"The lower loop has nice vault toilets and fairly private campsites if you are on the east end."
"There are only a handuful of sites on this lake and the sites are all one right next to each other. NO hookups, large handicap accessible privy, large and well maintained fire rings."
$10 - $20 / night
"Right on Lake Superior and the North Country Trail! Also, it is just moments from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Marais. Our pup loved running on the beach."
"We stayed after hiking around Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore."
"The strong winds here should not be trusted. You can access the campground by North Light Creek beach. It's about 10 miles from William's Landing. Primitive latrine, food storage pole, and fire ring."
"Shelter Ridge was an amazing camp site, although it is a bit closer to the trail, it was still pretty private. It was nice to have a day to relax on the beach which is right in front of the site."
$25 - $50 / night
"Trees need some time to grow larger to provide any shade if anybody looking for a campsite with shade. Reasonable good space in between sites."
"Think there were 19 primitive sites in total. There’s a water pump but no electrical. Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit."
"Both sites are beautiful and private... as long as no one sets up camp right next to you, because each one does have two other sites on either side."
TravelerCity run campground on lake superior. Beautiful views, sandy shore. Most sites have water and electricity, some have sewer hookup. Some walk in sites on the shoreline. We camped on site 5. Pros:
GuideRight on Lake Superior and the North Country Trail! Also, it is just moments from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Grand Marais. Our pup loved running on the beach.
GuideBlind Sucker campground made our August of 2017 camping trip enjoyable and unforgettable. Our rustic camp site was located right on the North Country Trail which was ideal for morning hiking and adventuring. Also, there is access to Blind Sucker flooding where you fish and kayak. This campground was approximately a 35 min drive from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and only 25 min from Grand Marais (an awesome little town right on Lake Superior).
GuideIf you’re one who likes the thrill of winding backroads and wants to be away from all the noise and commotion of the city this is your spot. I took my friends on a loop through the UP this past June and they made me plan another one because they loved it so much. Bodi Lake Campground is off of a dirt road that is about 35 minutes from Tahquamenon State forest, 30 min from crisp point lighthouse (you can climb to the top and had a beautiful view), and about 2 hours from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This campground is my favorite so far because it’s right on the lake which you are able to kayak, or canoe on, has beautiful sunrises/sunsets, and is very remote. This campground also includes fire pits, toilets, and is very spacious. You are close enough to your “neighbors” but still have privacy. There are no water hookups, showers, or anything larger than tents. This campsite is a drive up, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE because it is free. No reservations are taken. This campsite is run by an older couple during the summer months. They gave us a couple of brochures and are happy to answer any questions you have! They are the reason we found the lighthouse! Overall this is a GREAT place to stay and I recommend it to anyone and everyone!
RangerHurricane River Campground is a rustic campground located along the Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore. The campground is accessible from Au Sable Point Trial Rd, or by Hiking along the North Country Trail. Campsites here are first come first serve. This campground has a Upper and a Lower sections of campsites. The lower section has 11 sites and is close to the shores of Lake Superior. The Upper section has 10 campsites. Some Sites will fit trailers but some are tent only. There are a couple sites for handicap visitors. Handicap sites become available each day to the rest of the public after 6 p.m. if not occupied, they do ask that you leave the next day at your earliest convinces rather than the 12 p.m. normal check out time, so if a Handicap person does come looking for a site the next day early it is available for them to use. This Campground is Rustic and offers vault toilets, drinking water, and trash/recycling bins. And I did see 1 bear box for food storage. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and a lantern pole. Each site was separated from the next site by trees, so your sites were so what private.
Each section of the campground has a Kiosk that has a drop box for payment of your site, and information on weather and actives that are in the area, along with the campground rules. There are lot's of things do keep you busy around this campground. You are located along the Pictured Rocks NLS. You can take a 1.5 mile hike along the shores of Lake Superior to the Au Sable Light House stopping to see old ship wreck remains. There are lot's of hiking trails around including the North Country Trail that begins in New York and ends in North Dakota. You could also just spend the day hanging out on the beach, and checking out the small waterfalls along the Hurricane River. The beach and river mouth is located a short walk from the Lower section of the campground, if you are staying at the Upper it is a 0.2 mile hike through the woods to the beach.
If you are planning on staying at this campground I would recommend that you arrive early to get a site especially in the summer months. Be aware of other close campgrounds as back up in case the campground is full. Little Beaver Lake Campground and Twelvemile Beach Campground are a couple that are close by.
LegendNice little campground on the western end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, about five minutes outside of the cute town of Munising. If you plan on going to Grand Island, this is the place to be. A typical campground with tent and RV sites mixed in. Level sites with picnic tables, fire rings, tent pads, and vault toilets. I didn't stay here long enough to need to find out where the nearest showers are. Next to the campground is a really nice picnic area on the lake with great views of the island. The night I was there a ranger came out and did a program on owls right from the beach.
LegendAll sites surround a medium-sized lake and have direct water access. All sites are first come first served, primitive, and have a picnic table and fire ring. No electricity, but we run on solar so are always set with what we need. Each site is individually tucked into the natural landscape, so most have a good deal of privacy and shade. Gorgeous deciduous trees made the fall season extra special! Pit toilets are kept clean (though one really needed to be cleaned out after the holiday weekend) and well stocked.
We found this campground after realizing that it was Columbus Day weekend and all the reservable sites along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore were full. This, and a few other state forest campgrounds, had space but this one is popular…so get there early.
It’s about a 15 minute drive back up to Lake Superior, and about 25 mins to Munising where you’ll find groceries, gas, and supplies. There is a 4-mile hike through the forest back up to Lake Superior, which leaves directly from the campground. Keep your eyes peeled for blue blazes, though, as parts are not well marked and it’s easy to get lost in the beautiful maze of OHV and snowmobile trails.
LegendSitting about 30-40 feet above a small lake are about 10 small-medium first come, first served campsites. All sites are primitive, with a picnic table and fire ring. No electricity, but we run on solar so are always set with what we need.
Sites are close-ish together which is perfect for camping with friends, but doesn’t allow for much privacy. Gorgeous deciduous trees made the fall season extra special. Pit toilets are kept clean and well stocked.
We found this campground after realizing that it was Columbus Day weekend and all the reservable sites along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore were full. This, and a few other state forest campgrounds, had plenty of space. It’s maybe a 20 minute drive back up to Lake Superior, and about the same to Munising where you’ll find groceries, gas, and supplies.
While it’s an easy walk down to Ross Lake, it’s relatively steep for bringing kayaks or canoes down and up again. Best to use the nearby boat launch. We found the walk along the forest road delightful, but it’s just that, not really a hike.
LegendThis rustic national lakeshore campground is tucked in the trees along the south shore of Lake Superior. Next to the campground, there is literally a 12-mile long beach of beautiful white sand along the crystal clear waters of this great lake.
Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring with water spigots scattered throughout the campground. There is no electricity available and only pit toilets (which are clean, but rather stinky). Sites are smallish, a bit close together, and can accommodate tents and only small RV’s. RV’s over 25 feet will only fit in a few of the sites near the entrance to the campground.
We visited this campground in third week of September and hit the fall color spot on! The surrounding area provides great opportunities for water sports of all kinds, cycling, hiking, and dune climbing. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Visitor’s Center is about 35 miles west of this campground in the town of Munising where you will find grocery stores, gasoline, a laundromat, and restaurants.
Tent camping near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in stunning natural beauty while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities.
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