Looking for the best Watton tent camping? Find the best tent camping sites near Watton. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
The Wild and Scenic Sturgeon River rushes out of the northern portion of this wilderness, over the 20 foot volcanic outcroppings of Sturgeon Falls, and through a gorge that reaches 350 feet in depth and a mile in width. Throughout this rugged, steep Wilderness, the Sturgeon and Little Silver Rivers and their tributaries have carved falls, rapids, ponds, oxbows, and terraces. Stunning views are possible from the eastern rim of the gorge. Except for a few naturally bare slopes, most of the land is forested with pine, hemlock, aspen, sugar maple, birch, and basswood. When the leaves of the hardwoods change color in the fall, they form a vivid tapestry. There are few established trails in Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, and the few overgrown logging roads are hard to find and follow. The North Country National Scenic Trail parallels the northern and eastern boundaries for about eight miles. Sturgeon River Campground offers seven sites on the southeastern boundary. In spring and during peak runoff, kayaking and white water canoeing are challenging, and only recommended for advanced paddlers. Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Map
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-ppl
This rustic campground provides visitors with access to deep woods with fishing and canoeing opportunities on the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River. This dispersed campground is just a short walk from Mex-i-mine Falls. As you overlook this jewel you can feel the history when loggers used this area to transport their product to the saw mills.
This campground is a small rural campground that offers river bank camping. Located at the fork of the South and North Branch of the Paint River it offers canoeing and fishing opportunities.
Planning a trip to the Sylvania Wilderness? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility. The Sylvania Wilderness encompasses 18,327 acres of primitive lands and is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Visitors can camp in 50 designated campsites within the Sylvania Wilderness. Visitors enjoy endless canoeing, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Sylvania's abundant lakes provide plentiful non-motorized boating, canoeing, kayaking and fishing opportunities. Other popular activities include hiking and viewing wildlife.
The old-growth forests and pristine lakes in the region provide habitat for a wide range of animal and plant life, including rare orchids, bald eagles, loons and osprey. The wilderness contains 34 named lakes, some with sandy beaches and others surrounded by record-size red and white pines. The Ottawa National Forest is comprised of nearly 1 million acres and is located in the western reaches of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The forest's rolling, tree covered hills extend from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. Lakes, rivers and waterfalls are found throughout this beautiful landscape.
Cancellations If you cancel reservation at least 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus a $10 cancellation fee and the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) will be refunded. If you cancel reservation less than 14 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus $10 cancellation fee, reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center), and first nights use fee will be refunded. The reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) is non-refundable. No Show Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. For more information about rules and reservation policies, visit the Recreaiton.gov Rules and Reservations Policy page.
Ranger
Great little campground. It's small, clean and quiet. You self register for check-in, there's a bathroom building with 3 stalls and two showers(women) and hot water. We purchased an RV site($20) even though we were camping in a tent so our truck and trailer would fit and it comes with water and electricity at the camp site. Each campsite comes with a picnic table and fire ring. The ORV Route is right outside the campground entrance and you can ride to the trail. You can also get ice and gas at the gas station in town by taking the alley. We stayed again in 2020 in Our RV. They have 4 pull through sites with full hook-ups;$25 a night. 50/20 amps, high water pressure.
Scout
Lake Linden Village Campground is a fairly small, but nice campground. They have a lower portion that's made more for trailers or motorhomes, and an upper rustic portion for tents. We stayed on a tent site, which was huge! It easily fit our 14 person tent and a 6 person tent. Most of the other tent sites were smaller though. There was one shared water spigot for all the tent sites, and a very nice port a potty. And it was just a walk down the hill to the showers, which were also very nice. It was quiet and nice. I'd definitely stay there again if I'm ever back in the area!
Guide
Tent camped here one night, nice quiet place
Guide
Several great sites to tent camp. Caught some blue gills. Good times
GuideThis campground was really nice! I’ve tent camped here and camped in a hammock. Both were so fun!
Scout
Nice campground, bathrooms aren’t the best. Tent camping sites are nice some are spacious, some are close to each other.
Scout
Out of the way. Very private. Camped all the way in the back with only a few others in the campground. Would definitely be back to tent camp here.
GuideStopped here to use shower it's a small campground had permanent sites and walkin tent sites. It was clean quiet bathroom was nice,long hot shower has dump station.
Scout
The bathrooms and showers were awesome and made for an easy experience even if tent camping. The view only 200 feet in front of the site was crazy and amazing. The pics are all from right out front of the site. Excellent campground!!
ScoutGood campground for tenting. Our no electric tent site was right on the water which was great for a quick cool off in the hot weather. Bathrooms were clean. Full hook up sites looked to be pretty uneven so be sure to bring options to help with leveling.
ScoutWe like camping in the woods, but this has some of the same feel. The tent sites have lots of trees that makes it seem like you are roughin' it. It is nice to have access to real bathrooms though.
RangerCampground is very rustic and beautiful, easy trails to Lake Superior from the campground.
RV and tent sites- some have electric and some do not.
Clean and well maintained.
If you are looking for a quiet rustic campground this is for you!
Guide
We stayed for a night while road-tripping north, and the proximity to Lake Superior was a wonderful surprise. Snagged a tent site day-of on the loop across the road. Cold morning swim at the beach down the road to wake up.
Traveler
Host was very accommodating when we needed to plug in our boat. The moss-covered old growth forest provided an excellent tent site & entertained our 2 boys under 8 until they tired. The swimming area Was under kept but we still enjoyed all day. Overall our Saturday- Monday visit was very pleasing.
Guide
Originally we reserved a space by the lake. But the people at the next site were taking up our space. So we moved to another. Which was fine with us as we were tent camping and it was pretty cold(40 degree range) and windy and being off the lake seemed better. The older couple that seemed to be the ones taking care of the place were very nice and understanding.
Ranger
This is a small simple campground with lovely lakeside tent sites among rather dense trees. If you walk east you’ll find a sandy beach to splash in. You can also find a long nature trail and a connection to the interstate North Country Trail. Excellent birding, including sandhill cranes, and wildlife. Pit toilets and seasonal water is provided. There are no reservations but you should be able to get a spot year-round.
Legend
Nice campground with all the basics of a National Forest Campground. The sites offer each site a fair amount of privacy. They are all suitable for trailers and tent camping as they provide a level tent pad in each site.
I'm only giving 4 stars because the campground is about a mile from the lake. However, the distance from the water does help with the mosquitoes.
Fire rings have grills, and there are wooden picnic tables.
Lac Vieux Desert is a big and beautiful lake with excellent fishing! Although we didn't do great, others did. This is the headwaters of the Wisconsin River.
Scout
We tent camped at RV site 1 and found it to be a really great space. It was far enough away from the other RVs and really close to the boat dock. There was a great path to the lake to see the frogs. The boat dock was a quick walk to sprawl out and watch the stars. The host seemed to keep the establishment in tip top condition. We had just one night but found the fire pit and amble space to be very welcoming and great.
RangerThe wife and I are about to return to McLain after stumbling across it 7 years ago. We stayed in one of the cabins last time, this year we will be in a tent. Campground has beautiful sunsets, the lake is a stones throw away from anywhere you camp here. Showers were clean. Lots to see on the Keweenaw.
I’ll do another review after my next trip end of August.
Guide
We left another campground for this one. We loved it here. Great buffers between most sites. Loop C have pull though sites and a very nice and roomy. Loops A and B have a variety of sizes. Some really nice tent sites and smaller campers. We have a 25ft and found several great spots. We also have a dog that needs room. Our site gave him that. Our site was clean. Vault toilets on every loop and 2 shower/flush toilet houses near loops C & B, and one near B & A. They were very clean. We had spotty reception but did receive calls and text. We only had 2 neighbors while We were there. The last 2 nighr we were alone. We were there late September. It was beautiful. By far one of the best state parks in Michigan we have camped at. Would definitely be back!
Scout
The owners, Jeff and Marcia are wonderful people, I'm fortunate to have stayed at their CG. RWT Campground is like no other, it's a private campground that has the look, feel and atmosphere of a State Park. They had planned and executed a CG design that embraces the hills, rivers, and forest.
I highly recommend RWT CG if your camping style is "off the beaten path" then RWT Campground is waiting for you. RWT has all the camping arrangements; from walk in tent sites overlooking the Wisconsin River, walk in forest canopy, to savanna style. For travel trailer and motorhome style there are electric, water, and Sewer sites.
The park has miles of hiking, biking, and cross country ski trails. Also for fun there is a Frisbee golf course too.
This is NOT a complete review of all the features and amenities offered by RWT CG, just a short list as experienced personally
Guide
This campground in Felch is a rustic campground, with two outhouses and a water pump for potable water that sits on Gene's Pond. It’s a gorgeous campground, with a boat ramp and fishing dock on the lake. We’ve camped here twice now, and love the remote location — it’s pretty far back in the woods and ideal for anyone who really wants that northern Michigan/remote experience. At night, you can sometimes hear wolves in the distance. We had the campground to ourselves the first time, and th second time there was only one other camper. We tent camped, and while the outhouses were clean, the one nearest our campsite was out of toilet paper. Luckily we had our own. There are only a handful of campsites. Maybe 12 or 15 total? And all of them are well shaded with good privacy, a picnic table, and a fire pit. The only downside to this campground is the horrid water. It comes from a cistern (I imagine) and has a hand pump. The water is awful. Cloudy and foul tasting, stale and full of minerals. The second time we camped there we made sure to bring our own water. The fishing was great in Gene's Pond. My hubby caught some bluegill in the lake that we cooked up for dinner. It’s really a beautiful spot, not far from Felch or Sagola for supplies, and near some great brook trout fishing on the Ford River. We'll definitely go back.
Legend
General: 76 site (including five tent sites) campground stretched out on both sides of Lakeshore Drive. 50 sites are on the lakeside of the road with the remainder on the other side. Some have 50-amp electric, and some have 30-amp. No reservations are taken, and the campground appeared full when we were there on a Tuesday in September. It is located adjacent to the town park/playground/picnic area. The office is open 8 am– 8 pm and if you arrive after hours and are lucky enough to find a site, you use the pay station.
Site Quality: Sites 65-70, located directly on Lake Superior are considered Premium. There are 12 other lakefront sites (not considered premium). Sites 39-44 are located directly on the road so road noise will be an issue if that bothers you. Sites are close together with no physical separation between them.
Bathhouse: Was clean and well-lighted. Two pay showers were available.
Activities/Amenities: Wilderness trail (approx. ¾ mile), basketball hoops, disk golf, the beach, playground at the adjacent park plus a playground in the campsites across the street.
We had stopped at the picnic area next to the campground, so I checked it out for a possible future stay. As long as we don’t get one of the roadside spots, it would be good for passing through. Probably would not stay here more than one night as we prefer campgrounds with more privacy. Also, not sure why ATVs would be welcome here – for us, the noise would be an issue.
Traveler
I will be totally transparent and say I definitely prefer rustic or dispersed campsites.. however, I always give state parks an honest chance.
Baraga State Park... I have tried. Ohh, have I tried to like you over the years.
However, this is the WORST example of what a Michigan DNR campground can be. They squeezed in WAY too many sites in this place. You can hear the campers next to you fart in their sleep.
Not even a stones throw from US-41 makes for constant road noise... and sites that have been submerged in water a day following rainfall. You always see campers here moving their tents, RV’s, etc... to drier portions of their sites.
The only reason I give this TWO stars is because of the well-kept and nice bathhouse.
I stop here solely to shower during my travels. I will stay on the side of the road before I set up camp here again.
Ranger
Along our travels in Michigan's Upper Peninsula from the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore west to the Porcupine Mountains, we stayed at Van Riper State Park campground. We found this campground located along U.S. Hwy 41 about 40 minutes west of Marquette MI. The Park sits on the west shores of Lake Michigamme. Van Riper State park has both a Modern and Rustic campgrounds along, with hiking, biking and ATV trails. There is a fine sandy beach, and playground. At the beach there is a concession stand. The park offers areas for boating, kayaking, and jet skiing, and fishing. To book or check into either campground you must stop at the park office. A Resident Recreational Passport is required or a charge of $11 will apply for each vehicle without one. The park office also has firewood, ice and even ice cream for sale. I recommend to get your firewood from another local area, the bundles are $5 but are very small bundles like 3 or 4 pieces. They also offer kayak rentals the price on those was decent. $10 for a 2 hour kayak rental.
We stayed in the Modern campground. There are 147 sites and 2 Mini Cabins. Sites are equipped for tents, trailers and RV’s up to 50’. There are free wifi by the restrooms, flush toilets, showers, drinking water, sanitation station, electric hookups at each site along with a fire pit and picnic table. The daily price of sites is $22 - $24 and $49 for a Mini Cabin. We stayed in site 92 that is located right next to the restroom/showers. Which was great having young children with us who seem to need to visit the restroom numerous times. This site is more for a trailer or a RV being the ground is hard and full of rocks. We all used air mattresses so that wasn’t much of an issue. We did take the time to remove any sharp rocks from where our tent was being placed to make sure no holes were made in the tent or mattresses. Sites are very open and non private. There is a host site that has information on activities around the park and neighboring areas. They also offer activities for children to do.
A short distance from the modern campground is the rustic campground. There are 40 sites and a Camper's Cabin available. This campground offers vault toilets, and drinking water. I did find out that for $2 per person for a day you can have access to the showers at the modern campground. The daily price of these sites is $13, and $86 for the Camper’s Cabin. These sites are equipped for tents, trailers and RV’s up to 30’. There is no electric hook ups.
During your visit to the park there are lot’s of scenic, historic, and recreational sites to visit. A few miles from the park is the location of where Iron ore was first found in the Lake Superior region. There is a Iron Industry Museum. Lake Michigamme offers lot’s of activities for those visiting. If you are really looking for a awesome adventure not too far from camp, you can drive an ½ hour west on Hwy 41 to the “Grand Canyon” of Michigan, this gorge and waterfalls are located along the Sturgeon River. There is access to the North Country Trail here as well. The Canyon Waterfall and Gorge are just breathtaking. It is a 10 minute hike along the river from the parking area to the Canyon falls and gorge. You can hike further in if you wish and discover the rapids area along the river. We did not venture this far having small children with us. Can’t wait to return on a adult trip to hike further along the river.
I give this Campground a 5 star review, it is a great place to take the family on vacation.
Guide
This campground has 6 campsites that can accomodate tents, trailers, and motorhomes. It a limited service campground, first come first served
Traveler
Great find. Sunday night beginning of June. Only camper in the tent section. Quiet spot with good hosts. Close to the lake. Grass and gravel. Restroom share with the park/boat launch area. I would definitely stay here again. If there was a drawback would be sites have some slope toward lake. Being only one there I found flat spot to tent but if busy choice might be limited. No control over weather but woke up and had to pack up in the rain. Definitely check it out! Thanks to the Hosts!
Tent camping near Watton, Michigan, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed campgrounds in the area, you'll find the perfect spot to set up your tent and unwind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Watton, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Watton, MI is Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Watton, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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