Best Tent Camping near Watton, MI
Several tent camping options surround Watton, Michigan, located within the Ottawa National Forest and nearby state parks. Big Lake State Forest Campground offers tent sites on the lake with vault toilets and hand-pumped water. Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness provides more remote, hike-in tent camping experiences with pristine views and trail access. Craig Lake State Park features walk-in tent sites accessible via the North Country Trail, with most sites reachable only by boat or hiking.
Sites throughout the region vary in development level and terrain. Big Lake's tent sites sit on natural forest ground with minimal grading but include picnic tables and fire rings. According to one visitor, "The sites are HUGE with good privacy between them." Many campgrounds in the area require high-clearance vehicles, as roads leading to sites often contain deep potholes and washouts. Tent campers should prepare for primitive conditions, particularly at Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, which lacks developed facilities and requires self-sufficient camping skills. Most forest campgrounds operate seasonally from May through November, though some areas permit winter camping with proper equipment.
The remote nature of tent camping in this region creates opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor solitude. Lake Perrault offers dispersed tent sites with fire pits but no bathrooms, making it suitable for campers seeking privacy. Biting insects can be significant during summer months, particularly at riverside sites like Burned Dam Campground where one camper noted the area was "beautiful, quiet, free campgrounds right next to the Ontonagon River and Mex-i-mine Falls, but FULL of mosquitos and biting flies." Tent campers frequently find the seclusion worth the effort, with multiple sites providing direct water access for fishing. The North Country Trail passes through several campgrounds, creating options for backpackers to connect multiple tent camping locations on longer trips.
