Best Campgrounds near White Pine, MI

Camping options near White Pine, Michigan center around the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which offers diverse camping experiences ranging from developed campgrounds to backcountry sites. Union Bay Campground provides 100 electric sites with modern facilities, while Presque Isle offers more rustic camping with vault toilets and hand pump water. The region includes several outpost camps like White Pine Rustic Outpost Camp and Lost Creek Rustic Outpost Camp that accommodate both tent and RV camping. Campgrounds in the area feature varying levels of amenities, from full-service sites with electric hookups and showers to primitive sites with minimal facilities.

Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping experiences in this region, with black flies being particularly problematic during summer months. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with some like Ontonagon Township Park Campground open only from May through October. Reservations are essential for popular sites, especially lakefront locations which can book up to six months in advance. The area experiences early winters, with visitors reporting snowfall as early as mid-October. Cell service varies throughout the region, often weak without signal boosters. A review noted, "We woke up to full on winter one morning, so be prepared for anything in the shoulder season."

Waterfront camping represents a major draw for visitors to the White Pine area, with Lake Superior shoreline sites receiving consistently high ratings. Campers particularly value the sunset views over Lake Superior and access to the rocky shoreline. The Porcupine Mountains offer extensive hiking opportunities, including trails to Lake of the Clouds and along the Big Carp River. Several visitors mentioned the proximity to waterfalls as a highlight of camping in the region. Privacy between sites varies significantly, with lakefront sites typically offering less seclusion but superior views. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "What you gain in lake views, you will sacrifice in privacy between the lakefront sites (but still worth it IMO)." Backcountry camping provides more solitude but requires additional preparation for potentially muddy trail conditions.

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Best Camping Sites Near White Pine, Michigan (85)

    1. Union Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    42 Reviews
    White Pine, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 885-5275

    $40 / night

    "This was our first time camping in Michigan and we loved being so close to Lake Superior. We're used to MN state parks, so we found the campsites in MI to be a bit small and too close to each other."

    "We could walk to the visitor center via a short wooded trail, walk or drive to a small convenience store with firewood, and step over to Lake Superior each evening for sunrise."

    2. Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    17 Reviews
    White Pine, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 447-2757

    "Campsite LS-14 had a lovely location on the lake, but was very muddy/previously submerged with water. It immediately abuts site LS-13."

    "We camped at Mirror Lake and along the Big Carp River Trail."

    3. Union River Big Bear Campground

    14 Reviews
    White Pine, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 885-5324

    $28 - $40 / night

    "This is a beautiful campground right next to the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park in the U P of Michigan."

    "We might have skipped the step about doing enough research, and we arrived after a 10 hour drive to find that everything in the backcountry and campground were 100% full."

    4. Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park

    36 Reviews
    Wakefield, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 885-5275

    $4 - $20 / night

    "So the drive-in sites are literally all right next to each other, no privacy at all."

    "Presque Isle Campground is located at the southern edge of the Porcupine Mountains State Park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.  "

    5. Lake Gogebic State Park Campground

    26 Reviews
    Marenisco, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 842-3341

    "This was a GREAT campground to stay at for checking out some of the numerous popular waterfalls in upper Michigan. Our grassy site was on the shore of the lake with lots of trees."

    "We loved staying at Lake Gogebic!

    There’s a beach a short walk through the campground and the site hosts are super friendly."

    6. Union River Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    4 Reviews
    White Pine, MI
    8 miles
    Website

    "The gravel drive was uphill so we ended up turning the camper 90 degrees. 

    2 miles after the main campground check in you will find the small road to the Union River Outpost campsites."

    "There is a bridge and really nice trail along the river with waterfalls right at the end of the campground."

    7. White Pine Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    3 Reviews
    White Pine, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 447-2757

    $17 / night

    "Right next to the vault toilet. The bugs were pretty bad and we were here middle of June, however good bug spray and fire smoke helped ease them a little."

    "From this campsite it’s about a 15 minute drive to Lake Superior beach, camp store, water, and presque isle. Beautiful hikes all around the park. Could hike for days and have gorgeous views."

    8. Lost Creek Rustic Outpost Camp

    3 Reviews
    White Pine, MI
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 885-5275

    "The campgrounds in Michigan are great with private sites. It’s true camping with only water and toilets available with the great outdoors and not a lot of extras."

    "Awesome place to go it is a big area for campers and water hookups and things like that it is definetly fun and your right next to the superior lake must see"

    9. Ontonagon Township Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Ontonagon, MI
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 884-2930

    "Wonderful campground beside Lake Superior. We had a site backed up to the lake and enjoyed the sound of Lake Superior waves!"

    "80 sites on lake. $28-$35. Showers, electric, water. Close to town and nice walking trail."

    10. Bergland Township Park & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Bergland, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (906) 575-3932

    "Only an overnighter, but it's excellent for those nights when you just had enough driving. Nice playground for the kids if needed, restaurant only about a tenth of a mile walk. Boat ramp."

    "Inexpensive for being right next to a lake and in a small town. Though, at the time we went the lake had a water warning for bacteria and we did not swim.

    Still, a pretty site."

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Recent Reviews near White Pine, MI

430 Reviews of 85 White Pine Campgrounds


  • Carly A.
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Little Presque Isle Rustic Outpost Camp — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

    Great Location

    Great campground with access to Lake Superior. Perfect for watching the sunset or yooperlite hunting. This campground is family friendly and the vault toilets are well maintained. Some of the sites are a little close to others, but it wasn’t much of a bother.

    There is a trailhead right at the beginning of the campground that is short and easy with a number of amazing waterfalls along the way.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Burned Dam Campground

    Dark and quiet

    Small campground near a falls. Sites are private.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Agate Beach Park Campground

    Great beach

    Great beach. Excellent rock hunting. Thimble berries can be found. Sites offer zero privacy. The toilet is horrific.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Ontonagon Township Park Campground

    Zero privacy, beautiful beach

    This is one of our favorite beaches with soft sand. The showers are clean. The sites offer zero privacy.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Sylvania (clark Lake) Campground

    Private sites

    Shady private sites with ample mosquitoes. We were in a tent so did not appreciate the asphalt, but this site would be great for a small trailer.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Little Girl's Point County Park

    No drinking water

    The location is spectacular. Our site was of good size. The toilets have higher use than they were designed for. I did not like that we had to cross a country road to get to the toilet. There is a playground and the beach had excellent rocks.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Lake Gogebic State Park Campground

    Close sites

    The sites are close together and not private. The campground was never dark or quiet. The shower house was clean and the hosts invited guests to hot chocolate in the morning.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Eddy Park & Campground

    Nice park with tight rv spaces

    Very pretty lake and park on the edge of town. The rv park itself is very tight spacing, and many rvs are full-time sitting here from the looks of it. Overall, for price, quiet, and just a few night stay, it wasn't bad. It's just not camping.


Guide to White Pine

Camping near White Pine, Michigan, offers a mix of stunning natural beauty and a variety of campgrounds to choose from. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. Campers rave about the hiking opportunities, especially near the Union Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. One reviewer mentioned, "Although there are not many trails leading from this campground, you can drive to many other trailheads."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Lake Gogebic State Park Campground is a great spot. A visitor shared, "Fishing is decent on this big lake," making it a perfect place to cast a line.
  • Beach Activities: Spend a day at the beach! Campers at Union River Big Bear Campground love the nearby beach, with one saying, "There's a free beach across the street. You need to take the stairs down to it."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Many campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. At Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park, one reviewer said, "On the Presque Isle River, numerous hiking opportunities by the water, in the woods with mega views."
  • Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Lake Gogebic State Park Campground are noted for their cleanliness. A visitor remarked, "Clean facilities. Wood and ice available onsite."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often mention the peacefulness of the sites. One review for Black River Harbor Campground stated, "It was a nice tranquil place to stay."

What you should know:

  • Reservations: Many campgrounds, like Ontonagon Township Park Campground, do not take reservations. A camper noted, "You really have to be there, in person by 7AM to wait in line to get a site."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in the summer. A visitor at Bond Falls Campground mentioned, "Unfortunately, the mosquitoes came in clouds but that’s expected."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sparrow Rapids Campground, are more primitive. One reviewer said, "Quiet, no frills campground by a river out in the woods."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly amenities. Campers at Union Bay Campground enjoyed the "nice, modern playground" available for kids.
  • Activities for Kids: Choose a campground with nearby activities. One family at Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park mentioned, "Took several day hikes with the family and the kids enjoyed playing in Lake Superior."
  • Safety Precautions: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Lake Gogebic State Park Campground advised, "Rocky ledges made it very slippery, so no dip in the lake at the campsite."

Tips from RVers:

  • Site Size: Check the size of the sites before booking. A reviewer at Union River Big Bear Campground noted, "Some sites have more room than others."
  • Electric Hookups: If you need power, look for campgrounds with electric hookups. Campers at Lake Gogebic State Park Campground appreciated the "30 amp service."
  • Road Conditions: Be aware of road conditions leading to campgrounds. One RV traveler at Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping warned, "Big RVs beware of the trip up the mountain as the roads haven't been paved in forever."

Camping near White Pine, Michigan, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you’re sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at White Pine campgrounds in Michigan?

Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park offers scenic bluff overlooks of Lake Superior, a walkway and stairs down to the lake, and proximity to beautiful waterfalls. The campground has both drive-in sites and walk-in sites with varying levels of privacy. At Big Lake State Forest Campground, you'll find a more rustic experience with simple, unelectrified sites in beautiful outdoor locations for an affordable $15 per night. Many campgrounds in the White Pine area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails.

Are there RV campgrounds near the Porcupine Mountains in White Pine, Michigan?

Yes, Union Bay Campground — Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers around 100 fully-reservable sites with electric hookups and is the only "modern" campground in the Porcupine Mountains. Many sites accommodate RVs, with the lakeside spots being most popular and typically booked 6 months in advance. For additional options, Ontonagon Township Park and Campground provides 76 sites with a mix of 50-amp and 30-amp electric service, located near White Pine and the Porcupine Mountains.

What is the best time of year to visit White Pine camping areas in Michigan?

Late summer to early fall is ideal for visiting White Pine camping areas, with peak fall colors offering spectacular views at Porcupine Mountains Backcountry Camping. However, be prepared for potentially muddy trails during this season. Summer months provide warm weather for enjoying Lake Superior, though Lake Gogebic State Park Campground and other nearby areas can experience black flies in late summer. Spring offers fewer crowds but may have lingering cold and wet conditions. Winter camping is available for cold-weather enthusiasts, though facilities are limited and require proper preparation.