Near Skandia, Michigan, camping options range from rustic wilderness sites to well-appointed campgrounds with lakefront access. The area sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level with a climate characterized by warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Most campgrounds in this region maintain operating seasons from May through September, though some facilities offer year-round access for winter camping enthusiasts.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Visitors camping near Little Lake State Forest Campground can access nearby natural attractions. "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. Close to Laughing Whitefish Falls and also not far from Marquette and Presque Isle," notes camper Mary H.
Kayaking Lake Superior: Uncle Ducky's Paddlers Village provides direct water access for paddlers. "A treat to fall asleep in one of the yurts to the sound of the waves lapping the shore. Prime sunrise spot on the beach with coffee — view of Grand Island. Clean, friendly, a fun experience. Lots of cool rock picking by the dock," shares Shawnee.
Hiking nearby trails: Dispersed camping options like Haymeadow Creek NF Campground offer immediate trail access. "The campground is small but all the sites are spread out. A simple vault toilet can be found along with a water hand pump. The loop is also directly connected to a cheeky little waterfall trail," explains Art S.
What campers like
Beach amenities: Perkins Park & Campground receives positive feedback for its lakefront facilities. "Showers are great ($.25 for 6 minutes) and bathrooms are really clean. Great park for kids, boating (kayaking, etc). Views of Lake Independence from nearly each site and beautiful sunrises," notes camper S G.
Quiet camping options: Campers seeking serenity appreciate certain locations. "We got one of the spots closer to the road but turned out great! These spots don't have quite the lake view but seem to feel more quiet and secluded. The lake views were gorgeous, amenities fine," explains Katie M. about Little Lake State Forest Campground.
Free dispersed sites: Budget-conscious campers find value at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping. "Just off M-28, down the right side road a bit you will see campfire remnants and a spot where people tend to park on the left. No signage and only saw 2 pre-used spots as another review said, but there is plenty of space to park along the road," reports Hunter W.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many glamping options close to Skandia, Michigan require advance planning. "The only down side is that they are by reservation only. No 'walk-in's' if you will," explains Emilee S. about Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park.
Site selection matters: Choose carefully at popular locations. "This campground is all about what site you can get. I reserved a full hookup/waterfront site and it was amazing. All we had to do was step out our door to be looking at the water. However, if you're not lucky enough to get one on the waterfront, then there's just crowded, open sites," advises Deb M. about Munising Tourist Park.
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience increased activity on weekends. "We came in on a Saturday afternoon campground only 2 sites left. Very loud, generators running constantly. 2 groups playing very loud music. One group did karaoke for 6 hours," reports Rebecca H. about her experience at Little Lake State Forest Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Van Riper State Park Campground offers family-friendly activities. "My kids made some of their best memories ever camping here. Lots of families, positive environment. Clean campground and park, helpful staff. Swam and paddled on Lake Michigamme for hours. Huge beach with volleyball net," shares Jenny G.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds provide extra features for children. "This is a pretty decent campground typical rustic amenities. The sites are decent size there are some pull through sites for RV's. The lake is very nice, clear water," notes Michael M. about Little Lake State Forest Campground.
Birthday celebration spots: Consider special occasions when booking. "Stayed at Van Riper a few years ago. Had my son's 6th birthday party here. We were able to grill our food at our camp site then brought it over closer to the beach where we set up in the grassy area. The kids were are to play on the beach or the play ground equipment," relates Ashley L.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA receives mixed reviews for RV accommodations. "Sites were extremely close together. I'm glad this was a quick stay for us, as we were packed in like sardines. Typical koa offerings, pool, showers, etc," explains Marc W.
Hookup access: Check utility arrangements before booking. "Very nice private campground that offers rustic, electric, and cabins. We stayed in a 30 amp electric site. The 30 amp sites are a bit tight but backed up to the woods, so privacy wasn't an issue," shares Michael A. about Superior Times.
Surface conditions: Be prepared for different terrain. "The full hookup sites were nice and long and well spaced, but they were dirt so could be muddy in the rain," notes Greg S. about Perkins Park & Campground.
