Campgrounds surrounding Trenary, Michigan range from established, reservation-based sites to more primitive forest camping areas throughout the Upper Peninsula. The Hiawatha National Forest encompasses many of these camping areas, with Au Train Lake Campground and Hovey Lake Campsites offering waterfront locations approximately 15-20 miles from Trenary. Most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, though hookup availability varies significantly. Forest Lake State Forest Campground near Chatham provides electric hookups with access for boats, while Munising Tourist Park Campground offers more developed amenities including showers, water hookups, and sewer connections for visitors seeking modern conveniences.
Road conditions and seasonal availability strongly impact camping experiences in the region. Many campgrounds operate from May through September or early October, closing during harsh winter months. "We reserved our site online. Having never been before we didn't really know what to expect. It was nothing less than perfect. Tucked away in a silent wooded area. Paved roads all the way in. 15 minutes from Munising," noted one visitor about Au Train Lake Campground. Cell service can be limited at more remote sites, with areas closer to Munising and Marquette offering better connectivity. Forest Service roads accessing some campgrounds may require higher clearance vehicles, especially during spring runoff periods or after heavy rainfall. Campers should come prepared with adequate supplies as convenience stores and markets are limited outside of the larger towns.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews throughout the area, with Lake Superior and inland lake access being major draws. Sites at Superior Times and Otter Lake Campground offer water views paired with amenities like electric hookups, showers, and trash collection. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the spacious, private sites separated by wooded areas that provide shade and natural screening between campers. Wildlife sightings are common, with one camper reporting seeing "a porcupine hanging out in a tree and eating leaves, deer and a turkey." Proximity to natural attractions represents another significant advantage, as most campgrounds provide convenient access to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities. For visitors seeking more solitude, the state forest campgrounds typically offer quieter experiences with fewer amenities but more natural surroundings.
$29 - $45 / night
"AMAZING views of Lake Superior just steps away from the camp site. Spots don't stay empty for long. The RV park stays full"
"If you can’t get into the campgrounds in Pictured Rocks this site is a good alternative due to its proximity (three miles) the downtown and the entrance to the park. "
$26 / night
"Tucked away in a silent wooded area. Paved roads all the way in. 15 minutes from Munising. Was a perfect hideaway for us driving from SW michigan over memorial day weekend."
"Small, remote campground, located on a nice size inland lake in Hiawatha National Forest. Close to Au Train, Munising and Pictured Rock National Lakeshore."
$20 - $38 / night
"Otter Lake Campground is nestled within the Hiawatha National Forest and a close driving distance to Munising, Michigan."
"Was about 5 minutes outside Munising. Great place to stay if your planning on visiting pictured rocks. It’s right on the lake too with boat rentals if you just want to hang around your campsite."
$26 / night
"It's a small campground, but very near the lake, and the coolest part is the old blast furnace (hence the name of the camp on the bay) on display."
"Convenient to Pictured Rocks, which is why we made this trip to Michigan."
"Near Au Train Falls. On 8 mile Forest Lake, with access. $15/night. Walk-in and lake sites. Beautiful, quiet spot with many regulars. Great for respectful campers. Great Dark Sky View!"
"Clean campground with access to the reservoir."
$20 - $200 / night
"We opted for the rustic campground which still allowed access to the bathroom and showers, but was secluded from the cabin and RV area. The lake access was great! Warm water and good fishing."
"Outhouse and showers were clean Electric hook up
Filled water at dump station We stayed in site 10 it was quiet and away from the core of the noise
Friendly staff Seasonals were a little wild and"
"There is a small store/restaurant nearby too. We didn’t see hiking trails but we found a lot of atv trails. Some people were walking along the road."
"There was a little trail right to the waters edge at our site, nice and sandy (dont need water shoes) We spent most of our time there soaking up the sun in our tubes. Very quiet secluded site."
$24 - $50 / night
"Petes Lake is a great campground tucked in the Hiawatha National Forest. The campground is located about 15 minutes south of Munising. "
"One interesting thing is that there are information plaques around camp giving you something to learn as you walk through camp. We’ve never seen this before- it’s a nice touch."
"Even though this campground is a decent distance from the main road, the way out is paved. This was unexpected but there are plenty of unpacked side roads to explore."
"The loop is also directly connected to a cheeky little waterfall trail. Nice and out of the way"
$26 / night
"This is a small (35 sites) heavily wooded campground in the Hiawatha National Forest and makes for a great place to camp where you can get away and be surrounded by nature, yet you are only a dozen miles"
"It is a peaceful and quite campground with a lake and a river, and beach it is away from everything the stars at night really shine here. The caretakers and really cool and nice people. "
TravelerFirst time doing this at a free campsite. Huge site easy access right off small road. 5-6 cars drove down to see lighthouse and back and a few walkers as well. Will be back.
LegendPortage Bay State Forest Campground sits on a little peninsula just outside the Shingleton State Forest Area south of HWY 2 in the Michigan Upper Peninsula. This campground is not hard to find but it is a drive away from the main road. As you head further into the forest and closer to the campground the road narrows. There is still room to drive your RV to the campground but be cautious as some traffic can be coming from the opposite direction so pay attention and be courteous to other drivers.
As you enter the campground you will enter from the South entering on the West end of the looping around to the East shore where the 23 available campsites sit. All sites sit on the shore but some are closer to the shore than others and access to Lake Michigan is more accessible on some sites compared to others. Some sit directly on the lake and some have hills blocking the view, but you can set your tent up on the hill for a spectacular view. Having the hill on your site does help cut down on the cool breeze that can come off the lake. You can tent or RV on these sites and the sites are rather large offering you a variety of camp set up!
Pit toilets are the only toilets available. There are a couple walking trails, nothing difficult or long but they offer beautiful scenery and gorgeous walks in the woods and to the lake.
This is a rustic campground and available by walk-in or drive-in only. People that camp here like to keep things quiet! I am not saying that it is not kid friendly but lacking amenities and being a good distance from any town you might want to reconsider if you have young ones. There are some small towns on the peninsula to pick up some necessities but the nearest town of any size is almost an hour away in Manistique.
LegendIf you are looking for some great views and relatively easy hiking and an adventure then look no further than Grand Island! Grand Island sits in Lake Superior North of the city of Munising and near-by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, in fact while hiking the island you will have plenty views of Pictured Rocks! You will start your experience at the Grand Island Ferry Service where you will purchase you ticket and book your time to cross over to the island. I planned ahead and got there a day early and checked in with the staff to make sure times and tickets were available for my preferred departure. The ferry service offers a building that offers gifts and souvenirs available as well as maps of the island and some hiking needs like mosquito nets and bug spray if needed. I would recommend if you're interested in souvenirs or gifts to purchase after your trip back from the island. Parking was free overnight at the ferry station.
Once you depart for the Island it is maybe a 10 minute ride to the Island. After getting off the boat you are given clear instructions on how to get back to the mainland when you are ready.
While camping you can book reservations for campsites (or cabins) at www.recreation.gov but it is not necessary as you can camp anywhere on the Island as long as you are 100 ft from cliff edges, roads, other campsites, inland lakes and creeks and trails. I would recommend booking a reservation as those sites offer bear poles to hang your food from the many bears on the island. I did not see any bears on my visit but a couple people on the ferry ride back to mainland did see some.
The hike is relatively easy with a few steep climbs. I was told to hike counter clockwise but I wish I would have hiked clockwise instead as it seems there would have been less inclines as well as better on coming views instead of looking back to get views on the west side of the island. I was able to hike halfway around the island in a matter of about 3.5 hours and camp out at just around mile 11 where I had water access from Lake Superior to fill up the next morning to complete the entire trip around the island for my hike back to dock. I had to gather and chop my own wood for fire at night but some campgrounds do offer stocked wood for fires, check the Grand Island website to find which ones.
ScoutCamped during a snowstorm at the end of Decembers. Lots of tree cover to protect from winds and plenty of firewood. Well worth it
ScoutAwesome
ScoutFine little sites with electric and a picnic table. Nice stop for an overnight. Casino is nice and clean-friendly staff. 2025 rates $20 for 20 amp and $30 for 50 amp
ScoutLong nice road with a few pull offs once you are close to the end there is one official site with a table and fire circle. Is first come first serve but if you keep driving down there are two different boat launches with room to park/camp. We stayed in our car just in case. NOTE! the camp site is closed for updates until the end of October apparently. No service with mint
ScoutSolid spot. About 10min from Munising.
ScoutThis is a beautiful, well-kept campground. It is secluded and campsites have a bit of privacy with lots of beautiful trees. It’s a short walk to the lake and the hand pump is convenient for water. Vault toilets are clean and stocked with paper.
Campgrounds throughout the Upper Peninsula near Trenary, Michigan cater to diverse camping styles with established facilities like Forest Lake State Forest Campground and Otter Lake Campground & Lodge providing tent and RV accommodations. The Hiawatha National Forest region contains numerous camping options ranging from developed sites with electrical hookups to more rustic experiences. Most campgrounds in this area offer direct access to lakes, rivers, and forest land, with several sites situated along shorelines for water activities.
Camping season generally runs from May through October, with most facilities closed during winter months due to harsh weather conditions. Many campgrounds open around mid-May and close by late September or early October. "Super beautiful campground. Spent 10 days here to visit all the waterfalls, Pictured Rocks, Twelve Mile beach etc. Also just 20 min from beautiful beaches on Lake Superior," notes one camper about Forest Lake State Forest Campground. Road access varies considerably, with some sites requiring travel on unpaved forest roads. Cell service is limited throughout the region, particularly at remote locations like Otter Lake where multiple reviews mention no cell coverage. Campground amenities range from basic (vault toilets and hand pumps for water) to more developed facilities with showers and electrical hookups.
Waterfront sites represent a significant draw for campers visiting the Trenary area. Forest Lake State Forest Campground receives consistently high ratings for its lakefront sites and peaceful setting. As one visitor described it: "Some waterfront sites, the lake was beautiful but we didn't have much luck with fish. Plenty of wood around and water hand pump on grounds." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound with several reviews mentioning loons, sandhill cranes, and osprey. Campgrounds like Otter Lake provide family-friendly amenities including boat rentals, basketball courts, and swimming areas. Many visitors appreciate the secluded nature of camping in this region, with Haymeadow Creek described as having sites that are "spread out" creating a feeling of being "all on your own out here." Most campgrounds maintain clean facilities, with reviewers frequently noting well-maintained bathrooms and showers at the more developed sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Trenary, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Trenary, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 144 campgrounds and RV parks near Trenary, MI and 17 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Trenary, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Trenary, MI is Munising Tourist Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 49 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Trenary, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 free dispersed camping spots near Trenary, MI.
What parks are near Trenary, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Trenary, MI that allow camping, notably Hiawatha National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
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