Best Tent Camping in Michigan
Michigan's Upper Peninsula provides numerous tent-only sites with views of Lake Superior, particularly at Lake Superior State Forest Campground and Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground. These tent campgrounds feature rustic amenities including picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets while maintaining natural settings. Both are open seasonally from April through October and allow pets at their designated tent sites, though neither offers electric hookups or running water.
Campers should be prepared for varied terrain at these tent campgrounds, as sites typically consist of packed dirt or natural forest floor with minimal leveling. Most tent sites include basic fire rings and picnic tables, but campers need to bring their own drinking water or filtration systems. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Camped off of the dirt bike/hiking trail. Found access off end of Black Hwy" at Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground. The primitive nature of these sites means no reservations at many locations; tent campers should arrive early during summer weekends to secure spots.
The backcountry tent camping experience in northern Michigan offers genuine solitude and natural immersion. Sites near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore provide tent campers with access to hiking trails and shoreline views. Early fall brings cooler temperatures and fewer visitors to most tent sites. A recent review mentioned, "Just drove through. Since it was unreviewed, I was curious. Middle of July, only one site was occupied. Nice lake, good access to the water. Several lake front sites." This level of seclusion is common at many primitive tent campgrounds throughout the state. Tent campers frequently use these areas as bases for multi-day backpacking excursions, particularly along the Manistee River Trail where dispersed camping is permitted at designated primitive tent sites.
