Camping & Campgrounds
Western Michigan Upper Peninsula
South Shore Lake Superior Circle Tour

View from Summit Peak, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Park

Camping and Campgrounds Western UP

There are a number of nice camping choices in the western half of the Upper Peninsula. Primarily we'll profile campgrounds within our direct experience.

Some are included here because they are suitable overnight stops for the circle tour traveler. Others also have special features that are worth spending a few additional hours or a few days to enjoy them.

Far Western UP

Porcupine Mountains State Park Camping

Located on Lake Superior, the Porkies offer 35,000 acres of premier hiking, backcountry camping, waterfalls, and scenic beauty. The Union Bay campground is on the lake and offers 100 camp sites with modern facilities - showers, hookups, dump station and boat launch. More rustic camping facilities are available at Presque Isle Park and sprinkled along the South Boundary Road.

Go here for Union Bay information
Go here for Map & Porcupine Mountains Facility Information
Go here for Porkie Pictures or Waterfall Pictures

Black River Harbor Scenic Byway

The Harbor's campground is located on a high bluff above Lake Superior. Forty nicely spaced wooded camp sites with picnic tables, level tent pads and adequate parking for RVs. This national forest campground is semi-modern with water hydrants, flush toilets, but no showers or electric hookups. While no hookups, there is an RV dump and water station. The former small convenience store at the harbor is being replaced by vending machines. One of our favorite spots for price, convenience, hiking and scenic beauty of the waterfalls and surrounding area.

Go here for more Black River Harbor information

Little Girls Point Campground & Picnic Area

This camping area is run by Gogebic County and is located on Lake Superior a few miles east of the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Most sites have lake views and electric service. There is running water in the washrooms, but no showers. A favorite spot for rock hounds. While I've yet to find an agate I have met people on the beach who maintain they have. Has a nice picnic ground; day visit price is reasonable ($2.00) and 2008 camping fees ranged from $12 to $16.

Go here for more Little Girls Point Camping information

Keweenaw

Fort Wilkens Historic State Park

This park occupies an isthmus between Lake Fanny Hooe and Lake Superior. All of the facilities face Fanny Hoe but there are hiking trails and scenic overlooks of Lake Superior. The park service also operates tours of the historic Copper Harbor Lighthouse complex and manages the Fort Wilkens Historic preservation exhibit that occupies the center of the park. 165 camp sites, electric hookups, and modern washrooms with showers. It is a great family campground. Near enough to Copper Harbor and its attractions but far enough away that the kids have lots of room to run around. For RVers, one of the two campgrounds is laid out with pull-throughs for large units (and is largely populated by an adult population).

Go here for more information on Copper Harbor & Camping
Go here for Map of Ft. Wilkins Facility Information

City of Houghton RV Park

We discovered this well organized, very clean and fully paved RV park in 2006. It faces the Portage Waterway and is within walking distance to downtown Houghton, yet sufficiently isolated for security and comfort. 24 sites, each with a covered patio with a picnic table, BBQ grill, fire ring and full hookups - water, sewer, and electric. Adjacent to city swimming beach, pavilion and boat launch. Internet service.

Go Here for the RV park web page

F.J. McClain State Park

McClain is located about 20 miles west of Hancock on Lake Superior near the western end of the Portage Canal. Scenic views, beautiful sand beaches, and a cooling night breeze off Lake Superior are among the features that make FJ McClain one of the more popular Upper Peninsula parks. All 98 campsites have electrical service. Reservations are recommended for July and August as well as September weekends.Go Here for a park map.

Twin Lakes State Park

This park is located on Highway 26 midway between Copper Harbor and the Porcupine Mountains near the town of Toivola. 62 camp sites with electric service and modern washrooms with showers. This is a very convenient overnight stay for the Circle Tour traveler who finds themselves between the Porkies and the Keweenaw. There's a nice playground, picnic area, swimming beach and a nature trail.

Go Here for more information on Twin Lakes State Park

Baraga to Marquette

Baraga State Park

This park is located on the southern edge of the town of Baraga on US Highway 41, about 20 miles south of Houghton, Mi. It overlooks Lake Superior's L'Anse Bay. Highway 26 midway between Copper Harbor and the Porcupine Mountains near the town of Toivola. 116 modern camp sites with electric service and modern washrooms with showers. This is a very convenient overnight stay for the Circle Tour traveler who is traveling between Marquette and the Keweenaw Peninsula. It is also convenient for travelers staying in the area for a few days to enjoy the area waterfalls and hiking in the Huron Mountains. If this park is full, there is a waterfront campground across the bay operated by the village of L'Anse.

Go Here for more information on Baraga State Park

Van Riper State Park

Located about 25 miles west of Marquette on US Highway 41, Van Riper is a convenient overnight stay. Its primary appeal is to fishing and watersports enthusiasts who recreate on Lake Michigamme. But for the traveler it offers modern facilities with showers and 147 sites with electric service. There is also a 40 unit rustic campground and a park store.

One summer weekend evening traveling through this area we found Van Riper full but found a private campground a few miles west with a few vacancies. We found Michigamme Shores campground adequate and fairly priced.

Go Here for more information on Van Riper State Park

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