Iron Mountain sits at an elevation of about 1,160 feet in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where thick forests meet several lakes and rivers. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with July averaging high temperatures around 80°F. Most campgrounds in this area are situated within a 20-minute drive of town, providing access to both wilderness experiences and urban conveniences.
What to do
Lake activities: Visit Lake Antoine Park Campground for swimming and kayaking. "Had a blast! BBQ and more! Swimming everyday and even kayak rentals!!" reports camper Destiny L.
Waterfall exploration: The region surrounding Iron Mountain is known as the waterfall capital of Wisconsin. "Marinette Co is the waterfall capital of Wisconsin, so there is plenty to explore nearby," shares Corey D. about Morgan Park, located 25 miles southeast of Iron Mountain.
ATV trails access: Campers can access the 160-mile Blue Ox trail system from several campgrounds. "Atv trails are across the interstate. It's was a great time!" notes Juliana R. about Summer Breeze Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: With minimal light pollution at several campgrounds, night sky viewing can be exceptional. "Not much ambient light in this park, so it is great for viewing stars and Northern Lights," explains a local camper about West Bass Lake.
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds in the area pride themselves on cleanliness. "This campground is meticulously taken care of by the owners," writes Juliana R. about her experience at Summer Breeze Campground.
Private, wooded sites: Carney Lake State Forest Campground offers secluded camping spots. "Nice,Private Rustic Campground," comments Megan B., adding "The sites were first-come first-serve and we were lucky to get a site on the lake."
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and beach areas make several campgrounds suitable for families. "This park has a nice shower/laundry facility I wish they had when I was growing up there," mentions Corey D. about Morgan Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes in the area offer good fishing conditions. "Keyes lake was right across the street and the fishing was great," shares Bill B. about his experience at Keyes Lake Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. "Takes about a ten Mile dirt/gravel road in poor condition to get to," warns Cynthia B. about Carney Lake State Forest Campground.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the Iron Mountain area operate from May through October, with limited services outside this window. "Season: May 1 to October 15" is noted for several local campgrounds.
Availability issues: First-come, first-served sites can fill quickly during peak summer weekends. As one camper notes, "This campground seems pretty popular" about West Bass Lake during July weekends.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds may experience traffic noise. "Loud cars, trucks and semi's were traveling the roads outside of the park at all hours," reports Lynn K. about her experience at Lake Antoine Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas for children. "The park also has a nice pavilion with picnic tables. Sites are spacious and spread out compared to other parks," notes Adam A. about Lake Emily Park Campground.
Beach safety: When swimming with children, check water conditions first. "The beach is…. Well I wouldn't call it a beach but it's a place for little kids to go in as long as they are closely watched- the river is quiet deep," cautions Kelli V. about Rivers Bend Campground.
Off-season camping: For families seeking quieter experiences, consider camping during school sessions. "First time we stayed here it was quiet during the school season. Mostly adult couples. Second time was summer break and there were a lot of children," observes Juliana R. about seasonal differences at Summer Breeze Campground.
Park amenities: Some campgrounds feature additional recreation options beyond camping. "The sites were level, had shade trees, nice paved roads, clean, quiet and right on the river! We had full hook up with cable!" shares Tammi J. about Rivers Bend Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have uneven sites that require additional preparation. "Our site was a roomy, wooded, and pretty private. Our picnic table was very wobbly to the point of not being able to use it in any capacity," notes Barb W. about her experience at Camping in the Clouds.
Hookup availability: Check for specific hookup requirements before booking. "We stayed in a pull through site which was decent. Campground overall was very quiet mainly seasonal or long term sites," reports Casey L. about Camping in the Clouds.
Size limitations: Not all camping spots near Iron Mountain accommodate large RVs. "There are no spots for big campers. Tents and pop-up size," explains GA J. about West Bass Lake's restrictions.
Electric service: Some sites offer multiple electric hookups. "Each site has electric hookup, and some sites have more than one box," notes Adam A. about the recently updated West Bass Lake campground.
