Camping in White Pine, Michigan offers outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Michigan's western Upper Peninsula. This remote region receives over 200 inches of annual snowfall and features dense forests alongside Lake Superior's southern shoreline. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-75°F, with nighttime temperatures often dropping into the 40s even in July.
What to do
Waterfall exploring: Black River Harbor Campground is located near five impressive waterfalls along the Black River Scenic Byway. "The real gem of this place is the location. The Black River Falls are an astounding bit of Michigan scenery just minutes away by car," notes one visitor who hiked a "7 mile out-and-back trail that brought us past five of the falls."
Sunset viewing: Lake Superior beaches provide remarkable sunset views throughout the region. At Ontonagon Township Park and Campground, campers enjoy direct beach access. "We pulled in last minute and found a great campsite right on the lake," reports one reviewer, while another mentions the "beautiful views to wake up to."
Disc golf: Multiple courses exist in the area for disc golf enthusiasts. The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park offers an 18-hole disc course according to visitors, with one camper noting there's a "play area for kids, frisbee golf, and accommodations for equestrians" at the municipal park in Ontonagon.
What campers like
Lake access: Several campgrounds provide direct shoreline access. At Presque Isle - Porcupine Mountains State Park, some sites feature clifftop views of Lake Superior. One visitor highlights, "There are a few sites which are along the cliff side looking down to Lake Superior, we were lucky enough to reserve one of those, site 2. It was a very large site."
Rustic camping: Presque Isle offers generator-free camping options in a more natural setting. "There is a section that allows generators during certain hours of the day, a non-generator area and a few walk-in sites," explains a reviewer who appreciated the less crowded experience compared to Union Bay.
Clean facilities: Though amenities vary across campgrounds, visitors frequently mention facility maintenance. At Alpine Campground, one camper observed "clean bathrooms with hot showers" and noted that the "firewood was reasonably priced and a generous amount."
What you should know
Seasonal insect issues: Black flies can be problematic in early summer. A visitor to Black River Harbor Campground warns, "They. Are. EVERYWHERE. We went early-mid July and it was so bad we left with at least 20 bites each. Deet does nothing." A local apparently told them "no bug spray works, any spray that says it does is lying."
Varying site privacy: Campground layouts range from open fields to wooded settings. One visitor to River Road RV Park mentioned sites were "right across the street from a river" with "a few docks," while another described it as a "glorified field" with "RVs spaced about awning to awning."
First-come availability: Several campgrounds operate without reservations. Ontonagon Township Park operates on a first-come basis, with one visitor sharing: "You really have to be there, in person by 7AM to wait in line to get a site."
