Cabins near Wakefield, Michigan offer unique stays on the shores of Lake Superior and inland lakes. The region sits at the western edge of Michigan's Upper Peninsula with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,800 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures can drop below -20°F, while summer averages reach 75°F, creating distinct camping seasons with varying cabin availability and winter access challenges.
What to do
Explore waterfalls near Bond Falls Campground: Follow accessible trails to view cascading waters. "There is a nearby gift shop that sells just about anything you may have forgotten. The trail system is fabulous and some trails are handicap accessible," notes a visitor to Bond Falls Campground.
Hike backcountry trails in Porcupine Mountains: Pack day supplies for longer hikes through dense forests. "This park is huge, outside of Lake Of the Clouds, we ran into maybe a dozen people the whole weekend. If I was going to do it again I would have only reserved LS 6 and day hiked all around from there on Big & Little Carp," shares an experienced backpacker at Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park.
Fish on Lake Gogebic: Bring fishing gear for brook trout and other species. "We had a site in the shade, directly on the lake. There were quite a few muddy spots at our & surrounding sites due to a lot of recent rain. We had to move our car to the parking lot to avoid getting stuck," advises a camper from Lake Gogebic State Park.
Kayak the Apostle Islands: Plan a paddling expedition to explore shoreline caves. "We kayaked to many campgrounds and islands in the national lakeshore. paddling a total of 60 miles we were able to make it to 3 different island campgrounds," reports a visitor to Apostle Islands Area.
What campers like
Secluded lakeside sites: Find privacy at sites away from main camping areas. "We camped at Presque Isle in the Porkies for a long weekend in October. The color change was amazing! This campground is rustic with only vault toilets and no hookups. There are a few sites which are along the cliff side looking down to Lake Superior."
Dark sky viewing: Stargaze away from light pollution for exceptional night skies. "I also found, since this is further from town, it is very dark here and great for star gazing," notes a camper at Wildwood Haven Resort and Campground.
Multi-day backpacking options: Arrange overnight stays at backcountry cabins and sites. "We spent a weekend back country camping in the Porcupine Mountains; this was our first time here. Friday we spent the day hiking all over the park with our day packs. We hiked Government Peak Trail to Union Spring and Trap Falls/lost lake."
Clean facilities: Access well-maintained bathroom facilities despite remote locations. "The campground is not particularly large, and less than half the sites were full while we were there. There are 2 bath houses that were clean and had great showers," reports a visitor to Lake Gogebic State Park Campground.
What you should know
Expect insects during summer months: Pack repellent for mosquitoes, particularly June through August. "Mosquitoes and flies were so bad that our dogs faces were getting bloody and bug spray and a fire did nothing for us. We packed up and canceled our whole trip after that," warns a camper at Bond Falls.
Limited cell reception: Plan communications accordingly in remote areas. "Cell service was really spot (can be a good thing when camping), and I wasn't able to pick up a lot of radio stations either. Still nice to enjoy the quite dark skies," notes a visitor to Porcupine Mountains.
Bring water containers: Many rustic cabin sites require manual pumping. "There is water on site, but it is the hand pump style, so it would help to have a large open container to capture the water."
Weekend crowds: Arrive early on summer weekends for first-come, first-served sites. "This is a first come first serve campsite, self pay. We arrived around 6 after changing flat tire and there were no sites available," reports a camper at Kreher RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Municipal park amenities: Find kid-friendly facilities close to town services. "This is a municipal park, right on the shores of Lake superior. A beautiful little park, with a great playground and a boat launch. Each site has a picnic table fire pit and grill."
Lake-based activities: Utilize swim areas with beach access. "The park was clean and very well maintained, bathrooms were very clean. It was still early in the season so the camp store wasn't well stocked yet but they were working on it. The beach area was nice with a nice big sandy beach for the kids," describes a visitor to Lake Gogebic.
Cabin rental planning: Reserve 6-9 months in advance for summer cabin stays. "Stayed here in September for a few days, and occupied site 1 and 2. Sites are good sized and clean. They have some playground equipment both at the main loop and the wooded loop, this proved to be a lifesaver for my 4 year old."
Weather preparedness: Pack for temperature swings of 30+ degrees in spring and fall. "We camped at Lake Gogebic for one night in July. Park was easy to find, check-in was smooth, and we were able to purchase firewood. Should you need to purchase any other supplies, I would recommend doing so beforehand, as there are not a lot of options nearby."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "The sites are close together and not private. The campground was never dark or quiet. The shower house was clean and the hosts invited guests to hot chocolate in the morning," mentions an RV camper at Lake Gogebic.
Generator-free zones: Choose campsites based on power needs and noise preferences. "There are a couple of camping options in the Porcupine Mountains of northern Michigan. Presque Isle is a primitive campground on the western side of the park. There are 50 sites, with generator and non-generator sites clearly separated."
Dump station availability: Plan waste disposal at designated facilities. "Clean, efficient, groomed, with a new owner who is enthusiastic and really working hard to provide a great customer service experience. When, if ever, have you been to a campground that disinfects the dump station between uses? Yep, this one does," reports a visitor at Wildwood Haven Resort and Campground.
Seasonal road closures: Check access conditions before traveling to remote cabin locations. "Have not camped here yet but the whole area is amazingly beautiful. Yurts and Cabins available. Definitely Seasonal. the road is not plowed completely in winter."
