Pictured Rocks National Park's eastern Upper Peninsula location features sandstone cliffs that rise up to 200 feet above Lake Superior's shoreline. The park spans 42 miles of Lake Michigan coastline and receives approximately 30-35 inches of precipitation annually. Summer temperatures typically range from 50-80°F with higher humidity near the lakeshore.
What to do
Hike to Au Sable Lighthouse: A 1.5-mile trail from Hurricane River Campground leads to the historic lighthouse with views of Lake Superior. "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," notes a visitor who appreciated the historical elements.
Beach access: At Woodland Park Campground, campers can use stairs from the bluff down to Agate Beach for swimming or sunset views. "The stairs and walkway to the beach were fabulous and they had the cutest hut and swing at the end of the trail," shares a summer visitor who enjoyed the beach facilities.
Visit local attractions: The tiny town of Christmas offers the Kewadin Casino while Munising provides boat tours of the shoreline. "If you are heading back to explore the town of Christmas, and the huge Santa, there is an unexpected walking bridge across a gully for an added bit of charm," mentions one traveler about local points of interest.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Gitche Gumee RV Park offers wooded sites that provide separation between camping neighbors. A recent visitor noted, "The spots were spacious in the woods and had a good feel. Can't beat the location either, given it's right across from Lake Superior beach access."
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds feature clean, regularly serviced amenities. A camper at Bay Furnace Campground commented, "Drinking water is super clean and fresh and the privys are cleaned each morning and are kept immaculate and smelling nice."
Lake views: Several campgrounds offer direct sightlines to Lake Superior. "Sites 2, 3, 4, 6 all are on the lake," notes a visitor to Little Beaver Lake Campground, highlighting the waterfront options for tent campers.
What you should know
Reservation requirements vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate on first-come, first-served basis. "This campground is first come first serve with no running water and valted toilet. We loved it... I'm guessing in peak Season you would want to get there early to mid morning for a site," advises a Hurricane River Campground visitor.
Limited or no cell service: Connectivity is unreliable throughout the region. "I had zero cell service though AT&T. There was internet supplied in the park, but it disappeared the 2nd morning," reports a camper at Gitche Gumee RV Park.
Payment systems differ: Many smaller campgrounds may not accept credit cards. "They do not take credit cards…we had to mail a check to reserve. But it all worked out," explains a camper describing their experience at Gitche Gumee RV Park.
Weather considerations: The lakeshore can experience rapid temperature changes. "I caught this Campground on a night where the winds chilled it down significantly. Still, it remained warm enough for an afternoon swim," notes a Bay Furnace visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Sand play areas: Many campground sites have sandy surfaces ideal for children. "The site was what looked like a mixture of gravel and recycled asphalt and was mostly level. A little rough on bare feet but an outdoor rug help out a ton," reports a visitor to Pictured Rocks RV Park.
Insect protection: Bug activity varies throughout the season. "There were a lot of bugs while we were there, so it was hard to stay outdoors for a long period of time during certain times of the day. But this is the Mid-west and it is just part of this region of the US. Next time I would bring a screen tent to be able to sit outside and enjoy the view," advises a Pictured Rocks RV Park camper.
Plan for swimming conditions: Lake Superior's water remains cold even during summer months. "Water was 'crisp' lol, another way to say cold, but refreshing. Sand and rocks and driftwood," notes a Bay Furnace Campground visitor about the swimming conditions.
Tips from RVers
Advance booking essential: Campgrounds with RV sites fill quickly during peak season. "We hit this campground at the end of our trip and we found it to be very relaxing," shares a visitor to Bay Furnace Campground who secured a site.
Site size considerations: Indian Lake RV Resort offers 56 sites with full hookups, though some have space limitations. "Campground is older and I understand it was purchased a year ago. Some of the spaces are a little tight but managable," notes a recent 8-day visitor.
Water quality issues: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water that can affect equipment. "The campground has very hard water, to the point our shower is stained pretty bad even though we had multiple filters and a water softener," warns a month-long resident at Gitche Gumee RV Park.
Temperature management: Open sites can become hot without shade. "There is no shade to speak of, which made it hot, but it cooled down nice enough at night," explains a visitor describing rv sites near Pictured Rocks National Park.
