The Stephenson area sits at an elevation of approximately 650 feet above sea level in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where dense forests meet the western shore of Lake Michigan. Camping sites near Stephenson, Michigan feature a mix of county, state, and private campgrounds with varied terrain from riverfront to lakeside settings. Most campsites experience summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights dropping to the 50s.
What to do
Wildlife watching: River Park in Stephenson offers camping with riverside wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw a park ranger during the morning but not sure how much they come around. Overall, great experience and would recommend if you are looking for some relaxing camping time," notes Gwynn S. about River Park.
Fishing access: Cedar River North State Forest Campground provides direct river access for anglers. "There is a kayak launch and the river is a great place for catching bass. Every site has at least one handicap accessible picnic table and a small fire pit," reports Lauren B. about Cedar River North State Forest Campground.
Beach activities: Several campgrounds offer swimming beaches with varying amenities. "Loved the location- near Menominee MI, took in some time around the town, before relaxing for a day on the nice Lake Michigan beach at the campground. Water level is currently extremely high, but it was still a nice place," shares Sara S. about Kleinke Park Campground.
What campers like
Lake Michigan views: Fox County Park Campground offers unobstructed waterfront campsites. "Private, secluded, right on the water, small campground with big sights. Pay in the box and camp! Love it!!!" exclaims Anna G. about Fox County Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Shakey Lakes Park maintains well-kept amenities. "Clean bath house, reasonable fee, spacious sites, great staff," notes Charles F. about Shakey Lakes Park Campground.
Private sites: Many campers appreciate the spaciousness between sites. "This was a great trip to escape into the wilderness. Vault toilets were clean, centrally located and close to the hand pump well. Plenty of space at each of the sites," mentions Eric S. about River Park.
What you should know
Seasonal insects: Bay flies can be prevalent along Lake Michigan shorelines. "One 'negative' that cannot be controlled: bay flies. Happened to be there when the bay flies were thick! The flies do not seem to bite, just a nuisance," warns Sara S. about Kleinke Park Campground.
Limited facilities: Some campgrounds offer minimal amenities. "It was a little on the expensive side for only having one flush bathroom. The showers costed $1.00 for 8 minutes which was asking a lot for really stinky well water," notes Emily M. about Kleinke Park.
Varied access roads: Road conditions to campgrounds range from paved to rough gravel. "Road is slightly bumpy but completely fine for almost any vehicle to go down. Mosquitoes are plentiful," advises Christopher L. about Cedar River North State Forest Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "We visit our family up at shakey lakes campground every summer! They have a permanent site along with several other family members. It is RV and tent friendly. There's an ice cream/food stand on the beach, and a playground," shares Tayah H. about Shakey Lakes Park.
Swimming options: Beaches vary in quality and facilities across the region. "We got our new Marmot Tungston 4P tent so I took the wife and kids on a quick weekend trip to J.W. Wells State Park campground in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to test it out," explains Augy P., who adds that the park has "showers and a playground right in the middle."
Safety considerations: Some sites require extra precautions. "There was a good amount of broken glass and some trash at site 2, so be careful if you have little ones or dogs," warns Gwynn S. about River Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Some campgrounds have limited accessibility for larger rigs. "I would not recommend this campground for anyone with a larger camper. I have a 38' long, 12'+ tall bumper pull and was scraping the roof on trees and struggled to get backed into the site," cautions Cole M. about River Park.
Hookup availability: Electric hookup options vary across campgrounds. "We pulled in after a long day of driving and without a reservation. Fortunate to be able to pull right in and had several easily navigable sites available. Flat, clean and easy to maneuver. Able to pay using an envelope. Nice facilities available as well and we had power available," reports Julie F. about Kleinke Park Campground.
Dump stations: Waste disposal options are available at select locations. "Easily accessible waste dump and water. We enjoyed our stay and would come back again," adds Julie F. about her experience at Kleinke Park.
