Dispersed camping near Sault Ste. Marie offers camping experiences along the St. Mary's River and Lake Superior shorelines with water temperatures varying dramatically between the two bodies of water. Lake Superior stays cold year-round, rarely exceeding 55°F even in summer, while inland lakes reach more comfortable swimming temperatures. The region features a mix of dense maple-pine forest and open shoreline camping across multiple managed facilities within a 30-minute drive of the city.
What to do
Explore Point Iroquois Lighthouse: Located near Bay View Campground, this historic lighthouse includes a boardwalk perfect for rock collecting. "Close drive to Lake Superior and the Point Iroquois Lighthouse with boardwalk and good rock finding," notes Pegeen S. about Monocle Lake.
Watch freighters navigate the St. Mary's River: Camp at waterfront sites to observe massive ships pass. "Most people come to the town of Sault Ste. Marie (called the 'Soo') to check out the famous Soo Locks and watch massive Great Lakes freighters pass through them on their way from Lake Superior to Lake Michigan," reports Nancy W. from Aune-Osborn Campground.
Visit nearby Tahquamenon Falls: A 45-minute drive from most Sault Ste. Marie campgrounds. "Brimley is in great proximity to Sault Ste Marie and Tahquamenon Falls, so there is plenty to do in the area. I especially recommend driving down the Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway," suggests Samantha B. from Brimley State Park.
What campers like
Sandy beach swimming: Inland lakes offer warmer water temperatures than Lake Superior. "The swimming is some of the best with a nice sandy bottom and no rocks. The water is generally cold, as Lake Superior often is, but it's nothing too cold for swimming in," writes Samantha B. about Brimley State Park.
Private, secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer spacious sites with natural barriers. "The sites are spaced decently far apart and there's a nice lake at the campground," notes Jeff T. from Monocle Lake.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. "Bathroom and shower facilities very nice and well maintained, with private lockable shower rooms," says Nancy W. about Aune-Osborn Campground.
What you should know
Cell service varies by carrier: Coverage at campgrounds ranges from none to reliable. "Good camp hosts and pretty good AT&T service (3 bars) for the UP," reports Pegeen S. from Monocle Lake.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close by mid-October and reopen in May. "Very few campers at this time of year. Be careful when selecting your site as there are many different sizes and some pull through sites as well," advises Joe C. about Brimley State Park.
Water access limitations: Potable water availability varies by campground. "Water is throughout the park, but the only threaded faucets are at the dump station where you can fill up when you pull in," notes Joe C. from Brimley State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds provide community games and activities. "He had a community box of games that we could use during our stay. We used sand buckets and shovels to play with during our stay," writes Melissa A. about Bay View Campground.
Ranger programs: Educational activities available for children at select parks. "Ranger programs for kids, nice playground," mentions EmmaLee H. about Brimley State Park Campground.
Local food options: Family-friendly dining available near most campgrounds. "Also down the road is Superior Pizza and Subs which is a great place for a quick and easy dinner," shares Samantha B. from Brimley State Park.
Tips from RVers
Electrical limitations: Power capacity varies widely between campgrounds. "29.00 a day with full hook-ups. 21.00 without sewer. All come with free cable tv and wifi antennas ever couple hundred feet so you get internet from any spot in the park," reports Master R. from Bay Mills Casino RV Campground.
Challenging site dimensions: Some campgrounds have size restrictions that limit larger RVs. "Although this is a great family campground, most bigger Campers and RVs can't stay here. There are many trees too close to roadways for turning corners, and many branches are hanging low overhead," cautions Kris W. about Monocle Lake.
Pet-friendly accommodations: Most campgrounds welcome pets with standard leash rules. "We arrived at about 1:00 PM and wondered whether we go to the Casino parking lot or the campground(CG) on the other side of the road... There's a nice dog area(not fenced) across from this site but the poop bag garbage can had not been emptied in some time as it was overflowing," notes MickandKarla W. from Bay Mills Casino RV Campground.
Legend
