Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Wetmore sits at 875 feet elevation near the southern border of Hiawatha National Forest. The area receives approximately 200 inches of snowfall annually, making seasonal planning essential for yurt camping around Wetmore. Most campsites operate from May through October, with rustic camping options offering varying levels of amenities depending on proximity to Lake Superior.
What to do
Explore North Country Trail: The trail runs directly through Twelvemile Beach Campground connecting hikers to various beach access points. "We love exploring the beach and hiking down the trails right from the campground. We enjoy the ranger programs that are offered, and the camp hosts are so friendly," notes Mandi B.
Fish at inland lakes: Less crowded than Superior shorelines, Colwell Lake Campground offers productive fishing. "Most of the campsites here need to be reserved—there are only a handful of first come. Whichever site you get there is beach front access with an actual sandy beach! Very little boat traffic, no homes on this lake," reports Nicole V.
Kayak rentals: Some yurt accommodations near Wetmore provide water equipment. At Superior Times, "the campground offers jet skis, boats, and kayaks for rent. They were in the midst of grading the area leading down to the Lake so it was pretty dirty/dusty in that section," according to Natalie B.
What campers like
Lakefront tent sites: Many prefer the walkable tent areas for direct water views. At Munising Tourist Park, "I was in spot N which is one of their rustic tent spots right on Lake Superior. $25/night which was very reasonable. My site had a nice, level and sandy spot for the tent," shares Emily V.
Heated pools: Some campgrounds offer swimming options for when Lake Superior proves too cold. At Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA, "The big upside is the heated pool. It was very comfortable even in the shade of the trees on a very windy day," notes Mike W.
Private beaches: Yurt accommodations often feature dedicated lake access. "We landed here just by chance with no plans and found a huge lot open. Stayed 3 nights and every night was breathtaking. From the sunset to the waterfront spot it was perfect," reports Chad K. about Munising Tourist Park.
What you should know
Wind conditions: Lake Superior creates strong gusts that impact camping equipment. At North Gemini Lake State Forest Campground, campers choose inland lakes for "serenity. It's very peaceful all day and the loons at night is a special treat. Beautiful sunsets," says Corey O.
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience highway sounds despite natural settings. According to Janet R., at Munising Tourist Park, you might experience "road noise from the nearby highway," though lakefront sites often balance this with water sounds.
Crowding factors: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA, "The sites are closely packed, poor layout, dirt, barely enough room to have any privacy," according to Cyndi B.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds have dedicated recreational areas. Superior Times offers "a lot of outdoor toys. There were kids everywhere. The kids had a lot of fun," according to Melissa M.
Bathroom proximity: For families with young children, consider bathroom locations. "There needs to be at least an outhouse provided adjacent to the tent area. As it is, if nature calls you first have to hike down the path through the tenting area to the tent parking lot," warns Janet R. about Munising Tourist Park.
Off-season benefits: Yurt camping near Wetmore during shoulder seasons reduces crowds and bugs. One camper at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping noted, "Camp in early September, bugs were minimal. At times the night was eerily silent," reports Kevin D.
Tips from RVers
Electric site location: At most campgrounds, electric hookup sites have specific limitations. "There's not a whole lot of full hook up sites available. Several out in the open right at the highway... back in the woods there is electric only," explains Nick & Allyssa S. about Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA.
Site reservation timing: RV sites with lake views book far in advance. "This campground is all about what site you can get. I reserved a full hookup/waterfront site and it was amazing," advises Deb M. about Munising Tourist Park.
Seasonal access: Many RV-friendly campgrounds near Wetmore have short seasons. Munising Tourist Park operates May through October, while others like Munising-Pictured Rocks KOA typically open mid-May through mid-October, closing before heavy snowfall begins.
