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Dispersed Camping

Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road offers dispersed camping near the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan. The terrain consists of forested areas and open spaces along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Campers can explore the nearby Peninsula Point Lighthouse and enjoy temperatures ranging from 60°F to 80°F in summer and 10°F to 30°F in winter.

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Location

Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Rapid River drive 2.4 miles east on US-2 to County Road (CR) 513. Turn right (southwest) on CR 513 and drive 17 miles to the RV parking lot. Please note that the last 0.8 mile of the road to the lighthouse is single-lane, narrow and winding. The road is NOT recommended for recreational vehicles (RVs) or trailers over 16-feet long or 8-feet high. Pull-offs have been provided in case you meet oncoming traffic. A parking area for larger vehicles can be found at the beginning of the final mile of road, and folks are welcome to walk the interpretive trail to the lighthouse or walk the road.

Coordinates

45.68067414 N
86.96643218 W

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Connectivity

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    Good Coverage
    Last on 6/22/25

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
Tom's Lake Cabin

Tom's Lake Cabin

1 hr 8 min away

Mckeever Cabin

Mckeever Cabin

1 hr 12 min away

Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-MobileLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage
    Last on 6/22/25

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed needs a permit.

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General Info


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Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2025

Lighthouse hideaway

This one was very cool. We had a great time. The “camp” spots are about 1 mile before the lighthouse and outhouse bathrooms. But there was two established campsites that are near the entrance of the light house. Both open and with pits. We stayed in the second one. It was very nice to have open space. We were the only ones who were there so we have the whole area to ourselves. I will also say it was nice to be able to hear the cars coming and going down the road.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed by Joran B., September 11, 2025
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2025

Beautiful Lake View

We camped one night at the first dispersed site and had a great view of the lake from the site. The sunset was incredible. There are two sites, both on the left side while headed south.

SiteNorth Site
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed by Willow M., April 28, 2025
  • Review photo of Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed by Willow M., April 28, 2025
  • Review photo of Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed by Willow M., April 28, 2025
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2023

A beautiful location when I went!

Stayed for 6 nights and loved all of it. I was in the camp more south on the left. I can confirm that there is a trailhead, national campground, private campgrounds, and boat launches down this road. Another review mentioned a site, that now has a no camping sign on it. I believe that was the site, but there is 2 sites. Some very light traffic as there is a lighthouse/ restrooms down the road from both of these. Not really walking distance for most, but manageable in any form. Caught northern lights, Milky Way, and glorious sights every day.

Siteheading south, second on left.
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed by Jacob B., September 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed by Jacob B., September 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Peninsula Point Lighthouse Access Road - Dispersed by Jacob B., September 21, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2021

Beautiful but very limited camping sites

This area is gorgeous, it's surrounded by lake superior, and there is a really neat old lighthouse with pit toilets at the end of the road.. It's a one lane road btw, with multiple cutouts in the road for passing. I stayed here 2 nights in what appears to be an established campsite (with a fire ring, on the right side of the road heading towards the lighthouse) before meeting a local ranger this morning, who informed me that there are only 2 dispersed campsites available here, and both are on the left side of the road (heading towards the lighthouse.) But she did say that you are allowed to stay up to 14 days at either of those sites, before asking me to promptly gtfo. I would have rated 5 stars if there were more sites available, but if you manage to snag one of the permitted ones, lucky you!

Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dispersed camping allowed near Peninsula Point Lighthouse in Hiawatha National Forest?

Yes, dispersed camping is allowed near Peninsula Point Lighthouse in Hiawatha National Forest. There are several established dispersed campsites along the access road leading to the lighthouse. Most sites are located about a mile before reaching the lighthouse itself, with two primary sites on the left side as you head south. These sites offer beautiful views of Lake Superior and have fire rings. Be aware that some previously used sites may now have 'no camping' signs, so only use clearly established areas. The dispersed sites are surrounded by the natural beauty of Hiawatha National Forest and make an excellent base for exploring the lighthouse area.

How do I get to Peninsula Point Lighthouse and is RV parking available?

Peninsula Point Lighthouse is accessed via a narrow, one-lane road with periodic cutouts for passing vehicles. When traveling with an RV, take caution as the access road is limited in width. There is parking available at the lighthouse, though space may be restricted for larger vehicles. The area at the end of the road features the lighthouse and pit toilets. While RVs can reach the area, smaller rigs will have an easier time navigating the road and finding suitable parking. For camping with RVs, the established dispersed sites along the road provide better options than trying to park at the lighthouse itself.

What trails can I hike near Peninsula Point Lighthouse?

There is a trailhead located in the vicinity of Peninsula Point Lighthouse that offers hiking opportunities. While exploring the lighthouse grounds, visitors can enjoy walking paths around the historic structure with beautiful views of Lake Superior. The area is also known for monarch butterfly migration, making nature observation walks particularly rewarding during migration seasons. The surrounding Hiawatha National Forest provides additional hiking possibilities, with trails that showcase the natural beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. For more extensive hiking, check with the Hiawatha National Forest office for information about connected trail systems in the broader area.