Best Campgrounds near Wakefield, MI
The western Upper Peninsula surrounding Wakefield, Michigan features extensive camping options within the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Located approximately 17 miles from Wakefield along Highway 28, Presque Isle Campground offers rustic camping on bluffs overlooking Lake Superior with access to waterfalls along the Presque Isle River. Union Bay Campground provides more developed facilities with electric hookups, modern bathrooms, and shower facilities. The region supports diverse camping styles from lakefront sites with stunning views to secluded backcountry locations accessible only by trail, with options for tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and yurts.
Reservations are essential for popular sites, particularly during summer months when lakefront locations book up to six months in advance. Cell service throughout the area is spotty, with many campers reporting the need for signal boosters. Black flies and mosquitoes present significant challenges, especially in humid conditions near water. As one camper noted, "Blackflies bite, and bug spray does not affect them. I found keeping a hand towel or fly swatter moving around me helped keep them away." Spring and fall visitors should prepare for muddy conditions on trails and potential flooding at some campsites, particularly after storms. The closest town with supplies is Ontonagon, approximately 18 miles from Union Bay Campground.
Lake Superior views rank among the most valued features at campgrounds throughout the region. Campers consistently praise the sunsets and shoreline access despite the trade-off in privacy at waterfront sites. "Beautiful Lake Superior sunsets! Because it's on the border of the Eastern time zone, daylight lingers for a long time in the summer," reported one visitor to Presque Isle. Wildlife encounters include bears, particularly at walk-in sites where proper food storage is critical. The extensive trail network, including the North Country Trail and Lake Superior Trail, connects to numerous waterfalls and the popular Lake of the Clouds overlook. Fall visitors experience spectacular foliage colors, while winter camping options include heated yurts and cabins with wood-burning stoves.
