Cabin camping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula offers rustic experiences on the border of Wisconsin, about 10 miles from the Wisconsin state line. Watersmeet sits at an elevation of approximately 1,650 feet, with forested terrain dominated by northern hardwoods and pine stands. The area experiences cold winters with heavy snowfall averaging 150-180 inches annually and warm summers with temperatures typically reaching 70-80°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bond Falls Campground provides excellent brook trout fishing in the nearby lakes. "The lakes are stocked with brook trout and the fishing is amazing," notes Bruce B., who also mentions that "picnic areas are located near the falls and hiking in the surrounding areas is limitless."
Waterfall exploration: Visit the spectacular waterfalls at Bond Falls Campground. "Bond Falls is a very short walk from the car, with longer hiking opportunities nearby," explains Danielle A. who visited in winter when "some of it was frozen, and the ground covered in snow."
Mountain hiking: The Porcupine Mountains offer extensive trail systems near Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park. One visitor shared their experience: "We ventured over to Lake of the clouds just to take a gander, didn't do much hiking in this area. From there we parked our car at Pinkerton; threw on our full packs and headed to our 1st site, LS #6 = AMAZING view."
What campers like
Rustic cabin settings: Campers appreciate the variety of cabin options available. "The sites are mostly private and spread out with the exception of the loop which is more family oriented," notes a visitor to Bond Falls Campground, adding that "it's very inexpensive and also very popular."
Lakeside locations: Many cabins offer direct water access. At Chain O'Lakes Campground, a camper noted it was a "lovely campground near the lakes. Tons of lake activities like renting boats to fish (like we did). Our campground was next to nice bathrooms and a sand volleyball court. Good privacy from neighboring campsites."
Clean facilities: Bewabic State Park Campground maintains well-kept amenities. "Very hospitable. Sites were large and well cared for. Trails, parks, and a beach. Very affordable kayak and canoe rentals. Friendly staff. Wood for sale on site, fishing pole rentals, tennis courts," shares a satisfied visitor.
What you should know
Insect preparation: Bug protection is essential in certain seasons. A camper at Bond Falls noted: "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... would be a great place in the fall when the bugs aren't so bad."
Seasonal accessibility: Winter conditions limit access to some cabin areas. At Lake Gogebic State Park Campground, the non-winter months provide the best experience. "Stayed here for 3 nights over the July 4th weekend 2020. Had a great site right on the lake, fire pit was 10 feet from the water," notes a visitor who adds that "bugs were not a problem during the day but the second that sun goes down have the bug spray ready."
Reservation timing: Advance planning is necessary for many cabins. "This is the first time camping here and I would defiantly go back," writes a camper about Bond Falls, explaining that "there are about 20 campsites and a handful on the water. The sites are free for up to a total of 14 days which is really nice."
Tips for camping with families
Family activities: Several parks offer family-friendly amenities. A visitor to Bewabic State Park Campground notes: "This has been one of our favorite campgrounds over the past couple years. Loop A is nice and wooded and private. The bigger loop has sites pretty close together. Nice beach and lake. Hiking trails and playground."
Cabin selection: Different cabin styles accommodate various family needs. At Hi-Pines Campground, "We enjoyed the amenities and activities this campground had to offer. Clean bathrooms and laundry room. Great activities for kids...fishing presentation, movie, kickball," reports a camper.
Water recreation: Lakes provide swimming and boating for families. "Beautiful sites, some very private and right on the lake," notes one visitor to Lake Gogebic, while another mentions the park has "a nice beach area with a nice big sandy beach for the kids."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on size requirements and privacy needs. A visitor to Lake Gogebic observed, "Campsites were a mix of shade and sun. 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."
Hookup availability: Electric and water services vary between cabin campgrounds. Bewabic State Park Campground visitor comments, "They have electrical hook-ups but no water hook-ups you have to fill before you come in. There is a dump station there."
Road conditions: Some access roads may be challenging. At Presque Isle, a visitor noted, "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," suggesting the importance of preparing for variable road conditions when bringing an RV to cabin areas.
