Glamping accommodations near Pembine, Wisconsin offer elevated outdoor experiences within the Upper Peninsula's temperate continental climate zone. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall bring moderate 40-65°F conditions ideal for hiking. The region sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with mixed hardwood forests dominating the landscape surrounding numerous small glacial lakes.
What to do
Hiking and trail exploration: Governor Thompson State Park features multiple wooded trails with varying difficulty levels. "There are a lot of geocaches in the park to keep us busy," notes one visitor who gave the park 4 stars despite finding "a crazy amount of ticks in May," suggesting proper precautions during spring visits.
Beach activities: West Bass Lake offers a designated swimming area with amenities for families. "There is a large playground next to a small beach. Many people used the boat launch to go out on the water," reports a camper who visited in July, noting the park can get quite warm due to limited shade.
Stargazing opportunities: West Bass Lake provides exceptional night sky viewing thanks to minimal light pollution. "Not much ambient light in this park, so it is great for viewing stars and Northern Lights," according to a recent visitor who also mentioned the park's connection to the "160 mile Blue Ox trail system" for ATV enthusiasts.
Island exploration: Governor Thompson State Park includes boat-accessible camping on its island. "There is swimming, boating (campsites are also available on the island), lots of hiking trails, and tons of waterfalls in the area," writes a camper who spent two weeks tent camping at the park.
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites with natural barriers. "Very quiet and peaceful. Walked the loops looking at other campsites and most are very private," reports a visitor to Governor Thompson State Park who "basically had the whole place to ourselves" during a post-Labor Day weekend trip.
Clean facilities: J.W. Wells State Park maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers according to multiple reviewers. "Facilities are clean and the camp hosts are so sweet (they have matching vests and serve coffee every morning)," notes a visitor who appreciated the "really nice recreational activities (basketball, tetherball, horse shoes)" available at the park.
Fire pit setups: Bear Lake Campground offers practical fire rings with cooking capabilities. "Does have a grate over their fire for cooking," mentioned a camper who also noted the lake was "too shallow to fish off the shore" near their site, providing useful information for fishing enthusiasts.
Wildlife viewing: Bear Lake Campground provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "We heard some bear walking the first night and some coyotes/or wolves howling literally right behind our tent the second night," reported one camper who gave the park 5 stars despite this close wildlife encounter.
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Spring visitors should take precautions against ticks at many area campgrounds. One Governor Thompson State Park visitor reported they "sprayed the entire site with Apple cider vinegar to try to keep the ticks off the dogs" after finding numerous ticks during their May visit.
Site conditions after rain: Several campgrounds have drainage issues during wet weather. "Some sites are low, so water flows to the site on rainy days," warns a J.W. Wells State Park camper, suggesting campers select elevated sites when possible.
Seasonal crowds: Lake Antoine Park Campground can experience traffic noise during peak seasons. "Loud cars, trucks and semi's were traveling the roads outside of the park at all hours. Drivers took great pleasure in stomping on the gas and racing past at an almost ear deafening sound," reported one visitor who suggested requesting "a site further away from the road" to reduce noise exposure.
Limited cell coverage: Several area campgrounds have minimal connectivity. At Bear Lake Campground, one visitor noted "ZERO WiFi and cell service," which may require advance planning for those needing to stay connected.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Shakey Lakes Park offers excellent facilities for children. "There's an ice cream/food stand on the beach, and a playground. People either will walk or ride their bikes around the sites," mentions a regular visitor who noted the campground fills up quickly during summer.
Swimming options: Shakey Lakes Park Campground provides safe water recreation areas. "It is RV and tent friendly. There's an ice cream/food stand on the beach, and a playground," notes a return visitor who praised the "beautiful views" despite limited privacy between sites.
Site selection for privacy: Governor Thompson State Park offers family-friendly spacing between campsites. "The campsites spread apart the campgrounds may be heavily booked, but it doesn't feel like it," writes a visitor who spent two weeks tent camping and appreciated how the layout created a sense of seclusion even during busy periods.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes and access: Keyes Lake Campground accommodates various RV sizes with proper planning. "The site we had was privet and large enough for our 5th wheel and truck and boat," notes a visitor who discovered the campground by chance when their original reservation fell through.
Hookup availability: Keyes Lake Campground offers electric hookups for RVs across from excellent fishing waters. "The showers were free to campers with plenty of hot water. Keyes lake was right across the street and the fishing was great," reports a camper who gave the campground 5 stars and plans to return.
Campground layout considerations: West Bass Lake has site limitations RVers should consider. A camper noted, "There are no spots for big campers. Tents and pop-up size" are recommended at this campground, which remains "open year round but water is shut off in winter" according to visitor reports.
