Many camping spots near Seney, Michigan offer river access and sandy terrain typical of the eastern Upper Peninsula. The region sits at a relatively flat 710 feet elevation, with sandy soil and extensive wetlands. Road conditions to most camping areas require high-clearance vehicles during spring thaw, when forest roads often become difficult or impassable without four-wheel drive.
What to do
Lighthouse hiking: 1.5 mile trek from Hurricane River Campground leads to Au Sable Light House. "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 camper at Hurricane River Campground.
Kayaking the Manistique River: Northland Outfitters offers kayak and canoe rentals with shuttle service. "We decided to come here last minute after seeing it pop up on a Google search. When I called the owner was very nice and told me he had availability for kayaking and camping... The river was up and it was a beautiful ten mile trip which took about 2 hours," shares a visitor to Northland Outfitters.
Hiking to Lake Superior: Kingston Lake connects to longer trails. "Also attached to a trailhead of a 4 mile hike to Lake Superior (one way)," explains a camper about Kingston Lake State Forest.
What campers like
Off-grid cell service breaks: Most forest campgrounds have limited connectivity. "Cell coverage (AT&T for my family, Verizon for my friends) was pretty hit or miss at 0-2 bars at any given time. I could sometimes stream audio for an hour or two. Other times, it wouldn't do anything," reports a camper at Northland Outfitters.
Waterfront site access: Seney Township Campground offers affordable riverside camping. "Small township campground with vault toilets, artesian well, 20/30 amp hook-ups, and Fox River access, $20/night (no reservations)," notes a reviewer at Seney Township Campground.
Dispersed camping privacy: Sites at South Gemini Lake offer isolation. "This campsite was awesome! We camped right on the lake and due to how small the campsite is (only about 8 sites max). No reservations. You self-register when you arrive. The campsites were nice and flat, not too many trees but most provided and amazing view of the lake," shares a camper about South Gemini Lake.
What you should know
No-reservation options remain available: Several state forest campgrounds operate on first-come basis. "Unlike all of the national forest campgrounds in the area, no reservations are required," explains a visitor to Kingston Lake State Forest.
Payment systems vary by location: Many campgrounds require cash. "Stayed here for one night. They have a senior rate. Can only pay by cash or check. Electric and rustic sites. Water is central from an artesian well. Vault toilets and no showers," reports a Seney Township Campground visitor.
Winter closures affect accessibility: Most sites operate seasonally. "I went in mid-late November so water and restrooms were closed off by then. I was the only camper there but it was lovely. You can hear the lake waves and you're steps from the trail to the lighthouse. The grounds are well kept and trash is still picked up intermittently," notes a camper at Hurricane River Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access is limited: Very few campgrounds offer play structures. "Could use a little more playground area for little ones. But, the tire swing was nice. Sandy area for the volleyball net was a nice sand area for our granddaughter to play in," shares a visitor to Northland Outfitters.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Lake settings provide natural entertainment. "River site#8. Beautiful river view. Saw ducks, hawks, fish getting caught from 2 sites away. Fun to watch the excitement!" notes a camper at Northland Outfitters.
Early arrival essential during summer: Campgrounds fill quickly, especially those with no reservations. "We were lucky enough to grab a site immediately near check-out time on a Monday afternoon, in a prime spot with walk-in access to the lake," explains a Kingston Lake State Forest visitor.
Tips from RVers
Limited full-hookup options: Most campgrounds offer minimal amenities. "All sites had at least water and electricity. Swingset and covered sandbox for kids. Volleyball net," reports a camper about Big Cedar Campground.
Size restrictions affect site selection: Many forest campgrounds cannot accommodate larger vehicles. "Rig size: Max I saw was about 28'," notes a visitor to Twelvemile Beach Campground about the limitations for larger RVs.
Consider dump station locations: Many rustic campgrounds lack waste facilities. "There is electric, but no water at individual campsites, which is typical of the U.P. There is a convenient spigot to fill the fresh water tank on our travel trailer on the way in. No dump on site," explains a Northland Outfitters camper.
