Looking for the best tent campgrounds near St. Ignace? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of St. Ignace, Michigan's most popular destinations.
This rustic campground is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. Most campsites have direct access to the shoreline. Part of the shoreline is composed of large rocks, but could be hiked with caution. Near the picnic area, on the east side of the campground, there is access to the day-use beach. The beach is sandy and provides a nice area to swim and walk along the shore. There is parking for day-use visitors adjacent to the picnic area. The picnic area has tables, a fire ring and a charcoal grill.
There are 42 sites for tent and small trailer use. Campsites 7 and 32 are pull-through sites. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 7.7 miles east of Naubinway via US-2.Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations.
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. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
$15 / night
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-pp
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-pp
$40 - $50 / night
There are two backcountry (or primitive) campsites in the park. The campsites are named, site-specific (meaning you camp at the site you are registered for) and outfitted with a metal fire ring. O’Neal Lake campsite is set along the water.
Bear bags must be suspended at least 12 feet above the ground and far enough from the tree to prevent an animal from reaching or jumping on them. Bear poles are provided.
Reservations can be made by calling the park at 231-436-5381.
Additional trail details: https://www.michigantrailmaps.com/member-detail/wilderness-state-park-oneal-lake-trail-loop/
$15 / night
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-pp
$5 - $8 / night
Legend
The best part about this state park is that it is right on the north shore of Lake Huron, within sight of the iconic Mackinac Bridge and has gorgeous sunrise and sunset views. Otherwise, it’s a relatively typical state park with all the normal facilities such primitive sites, electric sites, sewage dumps, flush toilets and showers, but one nice feature is that the showers are self-contained rather than a row of showers in the bathhouse– which is perfect for families, and safer during a pandemic as the case may be. The sites are decently sized, but sit rather closely together so not much privacy.
We pulled into this state park with no reservations as that is how we always travel. We asked for a non-electric site as we run on solar and didn’t need hookups. We lucked out with the last option they had, and it turned out to be THE BEST lakefront site in the whole park! Secluded from all the other sites, right on the lake, and a wide-open grassy field. It pays to go solar, I guess.
Oh, and if you are looking for one of the best pasty shops, head to Bessie’s in St. Ignace. Don’t stop anywhere else. Wait for Bessie’s to be open…you won’t be sorry! There are plenty of grocery, gas, and restaurant options in St. Ignace as well, which is just outside of the park. Ferries over to Mackinac Island run from St. Ignace regularly, and that seems to be the major entertainment outlet of the area.
TravelerThis campground is one of the cleaner state parks that I have stayed at in Michigan. there are beautiful sites near the lake, although I remember staying here as a kid when the beach access was better. Now there is a lot of beach grass (probably due to the park trying to preserve the grasses/beach) and the beach isn’t as nice as it once was when I was young. This is a very family friendly park. Prime times are during the car show in St. Ignace. a great place to stay if you plan on checking out the island for a day or so. Good prices for sites. I highly recommend tent camping so you can hear the waves at night.
RangerWe camped here two nights in July. The campground is very easy to find and is an incredible location if you want to ferry over to Mackinac Island. It is convenient to groceries, restaurants and other amenities if interested. The park appears well maintained with three separate camping areas. We tent camp, and had one of the best sites in the park (in my opinion). Site 1A is in the lower East section of the campground. The site is only a tent site & it is HUGE! It was much more private than the other sites, located on the shore of Lake Huron & has a fantastic view of the Mackinac Bridge. There is a small beach area within the park, a one mile trail to a viewing platform of the bridge, and a playground. The bathrooms were clean. Our campsite had a standard picnic table and fire ring. Campsites were moderately priced, but a Michigan Recreation Pass is also required, as in all MI state parks, so it gets a little more pricey. If I was returning to the area, I would camp here again.
Guide
I stayed at one of the new tent sites over Labor Day and this quickly became one of my favorite Michigan parks! The tent sites are large and very private and right on the water. Don’t be freaked out that they are called hike in sites because the walk wasn’t any longer than from any other site to the car. The best thing for me is that these sites are so removed from the rest of the park that it didn’t even feel like a holiday weekend. It was very calm and quiet and I recommend the tent sites to anyone who enjoys unplugging in camp!
Guidelove this campground. when tent camping prepare for windscreen when cooking. beautiful sunsets amazing night skys
Traveler
Great staff. Clean facilities. Quiet tent site.
ScoutWilderness was great, not what you are looking for if you are tent camping more of an RV park. Beautiful views though
RangerThis is our favorite rustic campground, Surrounded by woods and on the water edge.
Tent camping - rustic waterfront, fire pit
RV camping - electric/ water, fire pit
Open your door and you are on the water!
ScoutTent camped in site 441 right on the lake. Wide open spots (mostly campers in this loop but was fine for 2 tents), fairly close together but the views, the beach/water, the nearby activities entirely make up for that. Nice, clean bathrooms. Surprisingly no issues with bugs at all in early June!
GuideNice little metro park for tent camping. Most sites are dispersed. You can pull your car up to the site for unpacking.
Modern bathrooms and a snack shop on site.
Park offers kayak, canoe, and row boat rentals. Also paddle boards.
Disc golf and regular golf available.
Nice sandy beaches.
TravelerI tent camped here with my parents, and came back often with my own children. Far enough from Mackinaw City for peace and quiet, near enough to visit all the attractions during the day. Tall trees and a beautiful beach. It,s a great vacation destination. One of the best state park campgrounds in a state full of beauties.
ScoutThe park is located in St Ignace on Michigan’s upper peninsula with great views of the Mackinaw bridge. Park is very clean and has an upper and 2 lower camping areas.
LegendWooded tent camping spots on the water :) Decent water to wade or swim in. The best part though… the view! Beautiful view overlooking the water and the bridge. Such a spectacular site to wake up to and go to sleep admiring beyond the campfire. There are a couple trails to check out and this park is near to many attractions and restaurants (within minutes). Definitely a place to visit again!
TravelerGreat campground only about 15 minutes from mackinaw city. Vault toilets but they are kept clean. Front desk was very nice and helpful. The tent site we stayed at had a good view of the lake and passing ships. Just a short 30 second walk from our site to the beach. Other sites are fairly close by but there is pretty good tree coverage for privacy from other campers.
Ranger
Great area with tons to do, but the campsites themselves aren’t exceptional. Bathrooms etc. are relatively modern. Tent sites kind of small. Definitely make reservations if you’re there in summer. Plan to spend most of your time off site as the park itself is small. Nice wooded area, sandy, waterfront. Go out to the bay itself for more activities. Oh and I could see Canada from my camp site.
Legendamazing views of the straits of Mackinac and the mighty Mac bridge! Absolutely loved camping here despite the nearly hurricane like wind and rain experienced overnight that ended up soaking all of my bedding. Bathroom and shower facility was nice and clean.
But seriously, the best thing this campground has to offer are the amazing views of the bridge from many of the campsites. I had a waterfront tent site with the best view and it was so inexpensive.
Guide
The campground itself was gorgeous, well maintained and spacious. (Tent) Camping there was the worst experience I’ve ever had. I pick rustic campgrounds for a reason. This one was full of RVs & 5th wheels all running on generators. There is no peace here. If you’re looking for quiet- it’s quieter at home than this place. Trying to sleep with an entire campground humming to the sounds of motors running all night was impossible. Ppl leaving their generators running even when they weren’t there. I would love to revisit this campground, but I won’t.
GuideReally cool campsite for views. Other than that it’s a pretty okay site. It’s extremely close to st. Ignace which is nice.
ScoutI took my wife here in 1981 when we were dating. Tent site along the beach drinking Stroh's beer. Beach is still as beautiful as I remembered. Park facilities are a bit out of date but nice and quiet. We took our maiden voyage in the RV we just bought to remember tge old times. Brimley nice small town with good whitefish dinners at Cozy Inn. Pickles goid bar too. Visited shipwreck museum on Whitefish point which was good.
TravelerI have camped here many times over the years, it is tucked away right near the Mackinaw Bridge. There are tent sites right on the water and you can watch the lights come on at night. There is wood to buy and the camp hosts are always keeping you updated on the weather and have plenty of ideas of things to do. The St. Ignas Trolly comes through and picks people up to go to the ferry there as well.
Guide
This is a great location to camp if you are looking for proximity to Mackinac Island. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. They have electric and water but no sewer. There is a dump on the way out. The spots are very tight to navigate into and took some extra work for my fifth wheel. Tent camping or smaller campers would enjoy this site. The town nearby is cool, includes a nice bakery and a great RV/hardware store. Wifi is hit and miss. You can walk up to the water to get a nice view of the bridge.
LegendNice beach along the Mackinac strait. Good view of Mackinac island. Close bike ride to St Ignace. Some walking trails with great views of Mackinac Bridge. Has electric at most sites. Dump station with water. Shower clean.
Guide
Took our family of four for a long weekend of tent camping. We had scoped it out before, so we had a general idea what spot we wanted, and reserved it online. The spot (304) was nice and big, and we had plenty of room. The park just seems more suited to RVs instead of tents, as do most parks up here. The facilities were nice - super clean bathrooms, great beach for the kids, even a dog beach. (Dogs are supposed to remain on leash on the beach.) There wasn’t really much of a playground for the kids, so they rode their bikes a lot. It was better than some we have stayed at, but not the spot if you’re looking for a little more rustic/private. You will certainly have neighbors.
GuideThe sites are decently sized and come equipped with a fire pit. The showers had decent shower heads and lots of pressure. There are some swings dow by the lake for adults and kids. Everything is nearby (not really walkable) and the shuttle for Mackinac Island ferries will come pick you up. They do not have full hookups, but we got by fine for a week since we have a composting toilet.
There is a small play scape feature by the lake. Plenty of folks tent camping as well as RVs. The campground has been here for quite a while and has mature trees. A small game room at the office features a pool table, air hockey, and a modern pinball machine.
LegendThe Straits State Park in Michigan's Upper Penninsula sits on the North end of the Mackinaw Bridge in St. Ignace. This bridge conects Upper and Lower Michigan at the crossing of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. This campground is clean, and well layed out with just about a campsite for the taste for everyone. From campsites on the shores of Lake Huron to open sites and wooded sites. Take the drive to the look outlook area in the park for awesome views of the Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinaw City which sits on the other side of the bridge. St. Ignace is a tourist town with lodging, restaurants, shopping and bed and breakfast inns and even a casino. There is a grocery store for your needs just before the entrance of the park. If you decide to take the 5 mile trip across the bridge to Mackinaw City, be prepared for a cost of $4 every time you cross and possibly heavy blowing winds across the bridge. There is a service at the entrance of the bridge that will drive your vehicle across for you if your feeling timid. Mackinaw City on the opposite side is definitely busy during the Summer months and more touristy feeling than St.Ignace. With plenty to do on either side quiet isn't hard to find. From visiting lighthouse's in downtown Mackinaw and another lighthouse just a short drive East of Mackinaw City at Headlands International Dark Sky Park sits McGulpin Lighthouse. You can travel North 45 mins and hit historic Sault Ste. Marie at the border of Canada and United States or visit the beautiful Tahquamenon Falls area for sights never to be forgotten.
Scout
Rustic, well pump water, vaulted toilets. There are 23 campsite all within close walking distance to the water, bug spray is a must.
We have camped here for 7 years and look forward to coming back each year. We do camp on non-holiday weekends to avoid crowds. This camp ground is always fairly empty. In seven years we have seen maybe a total of 9 other sites occupied.
There are hiking trails that have some beautiful scenery (bring bug spray) and a beach front that is just amazing. Depending on the water level there is plenty of beach and great for a day in the water.
Perfect place for tent camping but it can also accommodated small to medium RV/campers.
This place is great for relaxation and getting in touch with nature.
Scout
This campground has tiny campsites that are very uneven. We camp in a tent so that was not ideal. There are about 8 lake side sites which are right across the road from the lake. Those were the best sites for size and view. The lake is really large so it is great for boating. The boat launch is right in the campground and it has two launches so it makes for quick access. You can anchor your boat in the water if you choose. If you have a boat you can access the Indian River which takes you to Mullett lake. Also you can take the crooked river to crooked lake but you have to pay a $10 fee for the locks. The water has leeches which was a pain with my 2 year old. She got one every time she went in the water. The campground does not have a host and dnr only came in the morning to check tags. The week we were here we had fireworks and a lot of noisy campers well past midnight.
Tent camping near St. Ignace, Michigan, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near St. Ignace, MI is Hog Island Point State Forest Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 16 reviews.
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