Campgrounds near Trenary, Michigan offer a mix of heavily wooded sites and lakefront access across the central Upper Peninsula. Situated in Alger County at approximately 800 feet elevation, this area experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging 65-80°F and cold winters often below freezing. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from mid-May through October, with many closing during winter months due to heavy snowfall.
What to do
Lake swimming options: Colwell Lake Campground offers multiple beach access points along its shoreline with a hiking trail encircling the lake. "Most of the campsites here need to be reserved-there are only a handful of first come. Whichever site you get there is beach front access with an actual sandy beach! Very little boat traffic, no homes on this lake, an excellent biking/hiking trail around the lake too," shares a camper who visited in August 2023.
Waterfall exploration: Within 30-45 minutes of Munising Tourist Park Campground, campers can access numerous waterfalls including Miners Falls. "We explored area, kayaked Pictured Rocks, hiked Miners Falls (relaxing 1 mile with ability to get down to water), could have stayed longer," noted a recent visitor. Haymeadow Creek offers its own waterfall trail directly connected to the campground.
ORV/ATV riding: Jack Pine Lodge and Campground provides direct trail access for off-road vehicles with amenities specifically for riders. "It has direct trail access from the property, and they provide a free ORV hand washing station and air for tires," explains one reviewer who appreciates the outdoor recreation options.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: At Camp Seven Lake Campground, campers consistently mention the generous site dimensions. "We love this campground! We spent 7 days with friends. The site that we both had were huge. Nicely shared. Mostly shaded but did have a few areas of sun," notes one visitor who appreciated the campfire setup.
Remote camping without crowds: Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping provides free camping with surprising amenities. "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," explains a camper who stayed in May 2025, adding "cell service with Verizon was shockingly good."
Bar and restaurant access: Campers at Jack Pine Lodge value the on-site dining options after a day outdoors. "When you need to truly rest my bones, this is my go to in this neck of the woods. Clean and warm cabins, modern and rustic campsites, bathhouse, a super cool bar, cold beer, great food and nothing but exceptional and friendly staff," writes a regular visitor.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At some campgrounds, location within the property significantly impacts experience. "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," warns a Munising Tourist Park visitor.
Variable generator usage: Little Lake State Forest Campground has mixed reviews regarding generator noise. "Pulled in. Most spots filled with semi permanent trailers and everyone had a generator. Pretty place but not for us," notes one camper who decided against staying. Another mentions "Very loud, generators running constantly."
Bathroom facilities vary: Farquar-Metsa Tourist Park offers better bathroom access for tent campers. "We have an Aliner and most of the RVs were big with their own bathroom, so the facilities at Tourist were almost all ours! Full hook-ups, bathrooms with showers," explains a visitor highlighting this advantage.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Superior Times provides numerous recreational options for children. "We only stayed here one night but the kids had a lot of fun, they have a lot of outdoor toys. There were kids everywhere," reports a camper who visited with family, noting the campground had "friendly staff" despite some loud seasonal campers.
Beach access considerations: Colwell Lake Campground offers direct swimming options for families. "We love when there is a beach right at our site! This campground had a trail along the lake, a public beach and a fishing pier. The sites were adequate and private," shares one visitor who appreciated the water access.
Internet availability: For families needing connectivity, Jack Pine Lodge offers surprisingly good service. "There is free WIFI for guests and you can also purchase a faster internet speed. I love that the campsites are not on top of each other and there are trees between the neighboring campsite," notes a reviewer who enjoyed the layout.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Camp Seven Lake has electrical options but varying water access. "Sites are nice and large. There was nice trees for the hammock. Quiet campsite," shares a camper who enjoyed the spacious layout. However, another notes that water hookups are shared between multiple sites, recommending "bring extra hose and cords."
RV rental options: For those seeking glamping close to Trenary, Michigan without their own equipment, several campgrounds offer cabins as alternatives. Jack Pine Lodge provides "clean and warm cabins, modern and rustic campsites" according to visitors, making it ideal for those wanting comfort without hauling an RV.
Site approach and turning: At Hickey Marsh dispersed camping area, larger rigs have limited options. "We pulled in a 15 foot trailer and turned it around but wouldn't go much bigger," cautions a visitor who found the quiet location perfect for overnight stays while remaining self-contained.
