Camping in Upper Peninsula Michigan

Are you planning to go camping in Upper Peninsula Michigan? We have camped in this part of the state and have assembled this Michigan UP Itinerary for you.

Michigan is one of our favorite places to camp. The entire state is beautiful, but the Upper Peninsula seems to be the most loved. This section of the state is sandwiched between Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, although parts also touch Lake Huron.

This remote, unspoiled wilderness, well north of the 45th parallel, is a great camping destination. Whether federal, state, or municipal, you will indeed find the best Campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan that your family will love.

Best Campgrounds in Upper Michigan

We are dividing this list into east and west segments. Pick one of these Michigan camping itineraries if you only have a week or so. If you have more time to explore the UP, then hit both.

Michigan State Park reservation window opens at 8 am EST six months in advance. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to enter all Michigan state parks and harbors.

Eastern Campgrounds in the Upper Peninsula Michigan

This camping itinerary starts with crossing the Mackinac Bridge. If you will enter the UP via Wisconsin, reverse this list.

More Michigan Camping Trip Itineraries

• Circle Mitten of Michigan Camping Guide
• Circle Lake Michigan Camping Guide
• Circle Lake Superior Camping Guide
• Circle Lake Huron Camping Guide

Straits State Park, St. Ignace

Straits State Park is located at the northern base of the Mackinac Bridge and offers amazing views of the Mighty Mac (the bridge) and the Straits of Mackinac. There is a small beach along Lake Huron.

The campground has 270 campsites spread out over three areas. The standard fire ring, picnic table, and electrical hookups are available at these sites. A group campground and mini cabins are also available for reservation.

We recommend two nights at Straits. If you cannot get a reservation at Straits, try one of these Mackinaw Area Campgrounds.

Straits State Park 720 Church St, St Ignace, MI 49781

Things to do near Straits SP

A visit to Mackinac Island is a must! The ferry terminal for Mackinaw Island is less than a mile from the park. This charming island, which does not allow cars, is home to great shopping, beautiful sights and views, and great restaurants and fudge.

Biking around the island is a popular activity. Bring your bike on the ferry or rent one when you arrive. We rode our bikes clockwise and enjoyed many great views. Our favorite was Arch Rock.

Other area activities include visits to the Father Marquette National Memorial, Bay View Park, Wooden Observation Tower, or Castle Rock. We recommend eating pasties at Lehto’s or Bessie’s.

Aune-Osborn Campground, Sault Ste. Marie

What this campground lacks in shade, it makes up for views. The big attraction of the Aune Osborn Campground is watching the Great Lakes freighters go up and down the St. Mary’s River. Some sites are quite close together, but it is all about the views.

Check out our full review of Aune Osborn.

If you are not lucky enough to get a waterfront site, do not worry. A wide grassy area and benches along the river give you a full view of the freighters going by.

We recommend two nights at Aune Osborn.

Aune Osborn Campground 1225 Riverside Dr, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Things to do near Aune Osborn

The Soo Locks are the most popular attraction in the area. We posted about the Soo Locks Boat Tour that we went on. Going through these locks with a 21-foot difference in water height between the lakes was cool. You can also watch the boats go through.

Other attractions in the area include the Valley Camp, the Tower of History, and the Cloverland Electric Cooperative Hydroelectric Plant.

Tahquamenon State Park, Paradise

Tahquamenon is the most popular state park in the UP. It is home to the second-largest waterfall east of the Mississippi.

There are 350 campsites spread out over five campgrounds in this large state park. The modern portage campground is the closest to the falls.

Get details about the campground and learn why the water over the falls is brown in our review of Tahquamenon SP.

While you can see the falls in 1 day, we recommend two nights at Tahquamenon, particularly if you are exploring the area or visiting the shipwreck museum.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park 41382 W M-123, Paradise, MI 49768

Things to do in and around Tahquamenon

Since the park is so remote, there is not much in the way of commercial attractions. We find this a bonus! Within the park, you can hike, canoe, fish, look for wildlife or attend a ranger walk.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point is very cool. On a clear day, you can see miles from the lighthouse.

Munising Tourist Park Campground

Munising Tourist Park is a municipal campground located 3 miles west of the town of Munising. This modern campground is on the shores of Lake Superior and offers many waterfront sites. Walk-in rustic tent sites are available along the water.

There is a shower house, laundry facilities, and wifi available.

Two nights are recommended for Munising.

Munising Tourist Park E8518 M-28, Munising, MI 49862

Optional Camping near Munising

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has 67 campsites over three campgrounds. There are no water, electric, or sewer sites in the lakeshore. We opted to stay at Munising campground because campsites at Pictured Rocks were first come, first served at that time. Now, you can reserve sites to ensure you have a place to stay. This is particularly important during July and August.

Things to do in Munising

Seeing the amazing Pictured Rocks shoreline is a must! You can take a guided tour boat or rent kayaks.

Take a ferry to Grant Island.  Explore on foot, bike, or take the 3-hour Grand Island Interpretive Bus Tour.

Area shipwrecks can be seen by diving or boat. Other area activities include hiking, mountain biking, and seeing waterfalls.

Fayette Historic State Park

*Please note: If you combine both itineraries into one long trip, visit Fayette and Kitch-iti-kipi between Tahquamenon and Munising.

Fayette has a campground with 61 electric sites located on a Lake Michigan peninsula. A historic town with guided or self-guided tours is available. The park has hiking and views of Lake Michigan.

Only one night is necessary at Fayette. I could even be skipped if you are short on time, but Kitch-iti-kipi should not be missed.

Fayette Historic State Park 4785 II Rd, Garden, MI 49835

Kitch-iti-kipi Spring

Northeast of Fayette is Kitch-iti-kipi. It is located in Palms Book State Park and is Michigan’s largest freshwater spring.

This beautiful emerald-green spring has a floating platform that operates by pull cable. Kids will get a kick out of operating the pulley. Open windows in the middle of the raft offer views into the crystal clear spring.

Western Campgrounds in the UP

The western portion of the Upper Peninsula is more remote than the eastern side. This Upper Peninsula Michigan Camping itinerary starts from the east.

Marquette Tourist Park

The draw of this municipal campground is the proximity to all the town offers. Pitch your tent or park your RV in one of the 110 campsites, and get out and explore the area.

The campground is a mile from the Lake Superior beaches. Walk or bike around town on the city bike path. Hike or mountain bike on the Noquemanon Trail.

Enjoy views from Presque Isle Park, explore the Marquette Maritime Museum, or shop or dine in town.

Marquette Tourist Park 2145 Sugar Loaf Ave, Marquette, MI 49855

Two full nights in Marquette are recommended.

Camping Keweenaw Peninsula

There are several options for Keweenaw Peninsula camping, but we chose to focus on two state parks located on Lake Superior.

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park

Fort Wilkins kept the area’s law and order during the Copper Rush. Now, 12 structures from as far back as the 1840s remain, exhibiting a living history of frontier military life.

The Fort Wilkins State Park Campground has 161 sites, some of which are waterfront on Lake Fanny Hooe.

Explore the town of Copper Harbor, take a short boat trip to see the lighthouse and waterfalls, or take in beautiful views of Lake Superior.

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park 15223 US Hwy 41, Copper Harbor, MI 49918

McLain State Park

Travel along MI-26 or on Brockway Mountain Drive as you leave Copper Harbor. Stop along the way and check in a view at a park or scenic outlook.

McLain is a great place to hit the beach, search for agates and sodalite rocks, hike, or pick berries. The campground has 98 modern campsites.

The top reason for visiting McLain is the spectacular sunsets over Lake Superior.

McLain State Park 18350 M-203, Hancock, MI 49930

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park

This beautiful wilderness is Michigan’s largest state park. With over 90 miles of hiking trails, you will see waterfalls, rivers, and amazing views of Lake Superior.

There are 225 campsites located throughout the park. Yurts and cabins can also be reserved.

Lake of the Clouds is a must and can be reached by ADA access trail. You will also enjoy the Summit Peak Observation Tower.

It is recommended that you see this vast park for two nights, one night at the modern Union Bay Campground and the other at the rustic Presque Isle Campground.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park 33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon, MI 49953

Returning Trip Options

At this point, you have several options for your return Michigan camping trip.

If you are heading back toward Green Bay or the lower peninsula of Michigan, enjoy some white water rafting in Norway, MI.

If you are going to head west toward the Apostle Islands, check out one or all of the five waterfalls in Ironwood.  We continued along the lake and up into the Boundary Waters in Minnesota.

Whichever path you take, you will find plenty to do when camping in Upper Peninsula Michigan. You will also enjoy camping along Lake Michigan.

More Midwest Camping

• Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Minnesota
• Peninsula State Park, Door County, Wisconsin
• Wyalusing State Park, SW Wisconsin
• Shabbona Lake State Park, Illinois
• Decorah Camping, Iowa
• Kickapoo State Park, Illinois