$16 / night

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Established Camping

Black River Harbor Campground

15 Reviews

About

USDA Forest Service

Ottawa National Forest

Overview

Planning a trip to the Black River Harbor Campground? Watch for Alerts at the top of the page for any Alerts regarding this facility.____ Black River Campground is adjacent to the Black River Harbor Recreation Area. The recreation area includes a pavilion, harbor and a large picnic area. The area provides for many opportunities for fishing, boating, backpacking, hiking, bird watching, photography and beautiful scenery for relaxation in the outdoors.

Recreation

The campground is adjacent to the Black River Harbor Recreation Area. The Harbor offers one of the area's few access points to Lake Superior, with boating and fishing being a major summer time activity. Fishing charters are available at the harbor dock area. The boat ramp can accommodate almost any craft trailered in. Parking for trucks and boat trailers is ample. The area has many trails that follow the Black River leading you to the many waterfalls along the river. The recreation area has a large grassy area for picnics.

Facilities

The Black River Campground has 38 available campsites that can accommodate RVs, campers or tents. There are two concrete vault toilet buildings at either end of the campground. There are 10 pressurized water spigots spaced throughout the camping areas for easy water access. All campsites are wooded with partial shade and have a generous area to spread out in. There are five campsites that are within a few hundred feet of Lake Superior.

Natural Features

Known for its spectacular waterfalls, idyllic beaches, scenic hiking trails and tranquil campground, the Black River Harbor Recreation Area is a popular destination throughout the year. Originating in Wisconsin, the Black River flows through forested areas of large pine, hemlock and hardwood trees. The River has a series of scenic waterfalls as it drops in elevation to meet Lake Superior. Tannin (tannic acids) from hemlock trees is what gives it its unique color.

Nearby Attractions

A historic pavilion built by the Civilian Conservation Corps is located in the recreation area next to the campground. The recreation area includes a large picnic area and Black River Harbor that has fishing charters available and in itself is a scenic area to explore. Trails run adjacent to the Black River and lead to several waterfalls. A foot bridge and short walk will take you across the Black River to Lake Superior and the sand beach swimming areas.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations If you cancel reservation at least 2 days prior to check in date, all recreation fees, minus a $10 cancellation fee and the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) will be refunded.__ If you cancel reservation the day before or the day of check in date, all recreation fees, minus $10 cancellation fee, the reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center), and the first night___s use fee will be refunded. Cancellations for one night reservations will forfeit the entire amount paid. The reservation fee ($8 if made online or $9 if made through the call center) is non-refundable. No Show Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.__ For more information about rules and reservation policies, visit the Recreaiton.gov Rules and Reservations Policy page.______

Fee Info

<p><strong>Recreation Fee</strong></p> <p>$16.00 per night per campsite__</p> <p>Use of the nearby Black River Harbor recreation area is not included in the overnight camping fee. Use of this area requires a daily fee of $5.00 per vehicle, or a season pass for $30 per vehicle. The season pass covers Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, Sylvania Recreation Area, and Black River Harbor Recreation Area.__</p> <p><strong>Pass Discounts</strong></p> <p>Golden Age/Interagency Senior and Access Passes are accepted at this campground. You must present pass for discount to be honored.__</p> <p><strong>Reservation Fee</strong></p> <ul> <li>$8.00 per reservation if made on-line</li> <li>$9.00 per reservation if made through the call center</li> </ul> <p>The reservation fee is non-refundable.</p> <p><strong>Day Use</strong></p> <p>There is a day use fee associated with day use area and boat landing from May 15 ___ September 30, of $5 per day per vehicle, or an annual pass for $30 per vehicle. The annual pass covers Lake Ottawa Recreation Area, Sylvania Recreation Area, and Black River Harbor Recreation Area. Please plan accordingly to ensure you can pay the daily fee at the self-registration fee tube. If you would like to purchase an annual pass, contact the Ottawa National Forest at 906-932-1330 to purchase your annual pass prior to your visit.____</p>

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

15 Reviews

Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Oct. 21, 2023

Very Nice!

This is one of the nicest USFS campgrounds we’ve stayed in. It’s freshly paved, including each camp spot’s parking area, so they’re relatively flat. It’s more open and clean and cared for than most USFS campgrounds we’ve stayed in.  

It’s $16/night, self pay at the iron ranger. No host, no dump station, no recycling. There’s water (closed when we were there though), a trash bin, and vault toilets. 

There’s a nice walk near site 18 to a scenic overlook of the lake, and if you keep going past the overlook there are stairs that take you down to the boat ramp, beach, day use area, trail to the falls, etc. Really nice lush beautiful green trail. 

A few sites have a “view” of the lake, meaning you can see the water through the trees. #18 has the best view of the water. No cell service at the campground but Verizon and ATT had a very weak sporadic signal from our site (#20). This signal went away everywhere else in the campground though. 

Flies and mosquitoes were annoying!

Site20
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Laura M., October 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Laura M., October 21, 2023
  • (13) View All
JThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2022

Beautiful quiet camping

This is probably the most magical camping experience. No water or electric. No firewood to purchase nearby. Big sites. Great fire pits. Clean Pit toilets. It was a peaceful spot right next to Lake Superior! Close access to beaches. Amazing hiking. The most beautiful sunsets. The northern lights (Aurora borealis) can also be seen from the beach. This is a must on your camping check list.

Site38
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Jennifer D., September 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Jennifer D., September 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Jennifer D., September 5, 2022
  • (9) View All
Lisa H.
Reviewed Aug. 19, 2022

Fall camping

Very nice larger campground. A few views of Lake Superior from some of the sites. Great hiking and waterfall viewing .

Site19 & 41
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Lisa H., August 19, 2022
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Lisa H., August 19, 2022
  • Review photo of Black River Harbor Campground by Lisa H., August 19, 2022
  • (6) View All

Location

Black River Harbor Campground is located in Michigan

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Ironwood Mi., travel east on US 2 to Powderhorn Road, turn left onto Powderhorn Road and travel approximately 3 miles to CR 513, turn left onto CR 513 and travel approximately 11 miles to the Black River Harbor Recreation Area.

Address

E6248 US 2
Ironwood, MI 49938

Coordinates

46.6702806 N
90.0497194 W

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