Campgrounds near Skandia, Michigan range from rustic state forest sites to full-service RV resorts, all located within the forested terrain of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Campers should prepare for summer temperatures that typically stay below 80°F with cool evenings in the 50s. The surrounding area features a mix of inland lakes, rivers, and proximity to Lake Superior beaches within a 15-20 minute drive from most sites.
What to do
Hiking at pictured rocks: Camping at Munising Tourist Park Campground provides convenient access to the Pictured Rocks area. "Great private campground! Awesome spot to camp if you're visiting the pictured rocks. There are no campgrounds in the National Park itself, so it's about a 15-20 minute drive to see them," notes Emma W.
Mountain biking access: Rippling Rivers RV Resort connects directly to trail systems. "If you love mountain biking or hiking you stay here. Period. You are right on the trails. If you have little ones the grom trail rims next to the top camp site," explains Rory L., highlighting the family-friendly trail options.
Lake swimming options: At Au Train Lake Campground, the water is noticeably warmer than Lake Superior. "The water is beautiful and warmer than Lake Superior. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms. Peaceful campground," advises Raquel M., who served as a campground host.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple inland lakes and river systems offer diverse fishing experiences. "Great wooded sites. Ours was very secluded, shaded, and had a nice water view as well as great locations and space to put up a couple tents. Lots of people fishing," shares Sara S. about Au Train Lake Campground.
What campers like
Beach access convenience: Bay Furnace Campground offers direct Lake Superior shoreline. "Located in Hiawatha National Forest on Lake Superior. The beach area was fantastic & the water was clean/clear but cold as would be expected, perfect for a refreshing cool off in hot weather!" describes Lisa R.
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting at Marquette Tourist Park. "Overall the sites are good size and offer a decent amount of privacy. We walked around the campground and there are many sites that we would like to try out at a different time," shares Amber.
Quieter camping areas: Less crowded options exist for those seeking tranquility. "Remote and quiet. Landed here after trying unsuccessfully to camp along Lake Superior (everything full). It's a sweet little campground: quiet, dark and removed from the crowds," says Mary H. about Little Lake State Forest Campground.
Amenities beyond basics: Some campgrounds offer unexpected extras. "They even have a brewery in the campground," mentions Erin A. about Gitche Gumee RV Park & Campground, while Rippling Rivers features "a hot tub and pool, putt putt, excellent bar, camp store," according to Craig C.
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Some campgrounds require advance planning. "A lot of options to choose from based on what rig you have and how you like to camp. They have tent sites that are non-electric, about 100 RV sites with just electric, and another 38 sites that have water and sewer hookups," explains Ari A. about Marquette Tourist Park.
Water quality considerations: Water hardness affects some facilities. "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," notes Noah P. about Gitche Gumee RV Park & Campground.
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds become busy during peak times. "Very loud, generators running constantly. 2 groups playing very loud music. One group did karaoke for 6 hours," reports Rebecca H. about Little Lake State Forest Campground on a Saturday visit.
Limited facilities at rustic sites: State forest campgrounds offer basic amenities. "Typical rustic amenities. The sites are decent size there are some pull through sites for RV's. The lake is very nice, clear water," explains Michael M. about Little Lake.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water access: Shallow entry points make swimming safer at select beaches. "There is a beach and boat launch near. Great campground access to Lake Au Train with a swimming area," notes Shannon about Au Train Lake Campground.
Activity centers at campgrounds: Some locations offer recreation for children. "The kids had a lot of fun, they have a lot of outdoor toys. There were kids everywhere," shares Melissa M. about Superior Times, which also offers "jet skis, boats, and kayaks for rent."
Educational opportunities: Look for campgrounds with nature programs. "The night I was there a ranger came out and did a program on owls right from the beach," mentions Annie C. about Bay Furnace Campground. At Au Train, there's "a great trail near our campsite that had signs and info about the birds in the area (great for young ones especially)," adds Jade G.
Playground access: Consider campgrounds with play areas. Marquette Tourist Park offers "a somewhat dated playground," according to Lee D., while Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park has "basketball court, fishing, Escanaba River, and hiking trails all right at the park," as noted by Pepper C.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Choose full hookup sites strategically. "We camped in the upper loop which had spacious sites and clean bathrooms but no sewer hook ups. The lower full hook up loop looked a little cramped," advises Scott B. about Rippling Rivers RV Resort.
Utility placement considerations: Layout varies between campgrounds. "Be aware if you are a large RV with tow car that many sites are not long enough so be specific how long you are when you reserve a site. The hook-ups are not laid out conveniently on some sites which requires extra hoses and electric cords," warns Nancy W. about Marquette Tourist Park.
Overflow options for peak season: When primary sites are full, some campgrounds offer alternatives. "Took a chance of finding a spot here in June and there was a cancellation with a waterfront spot for one night. We loved location and moved to overflow for 2 more nights," shares Beth B. about Munising Tourist Park.
Camp store conveniences: Several campgrounds offer on-site supplies. "The camp store has a nice selection of wine and the usual necessary items campers need," says Jan D., while many locations sell firewood on-site, with Bay Furnace offering "firewood available for very good prices sold at campground; for $14 we got enough wood for 4 large, longburning fires," according to Beth H.
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