Michigan has more State Forest land than any other state of matter in the eastern US , most of which is in the state ’s northerly peninsula . substance : there are so many good forest places to get lost in that you may get to in a mere few hours . Actually , getting lose in the Upper Peninsula is very easy , so you may want to ensure you have a functioning compass or at least check in with your spirit beast before embarking on any of these UP camping trips .
Little Presque Isle National Forest
Marquette , MIYou can regain your own quiet nook in this campground which is not miss on shorefront . It ’s withdraw and off the tick way of life – which goes for most of the UP , to be good – but this is really a stead to go to get away from it all , even if you are just a short slip from refilling your growler at one of Marquette ’s noted brewery .
Escanaba River State Forest
Wilson , MIIf you decide to make the trek down to Summer Island , lay off for a night or two in this state forest with naive tenting near the northern shore of Lake Michigan . There ’s an abundance of hiking trails and the Escanaba River is well - hump for producing some teras trout .
Isle Royale
Lake SuperiorThe mack daddy of encampment domain north of the Mighty Mac is also Michigan ’s only internal parkland . As the name evoke , it is indeed an island , and to get there , you ’ll demand to be after ahead . Take a boat affectionately recognise as the " puking comet " from Houghton ( about five hours ) , Copper Harbor ( about three hour ) , or Grand Portage , Minnesota ( about an hour and a one-half ) . For the moneyed venturer , take a hydroplane is the quicker , more pain - free option . Reasons to go to Isle Royale include a luck to see the Northern Lights , beast , and Alces alces , as well as testing your will against disgraceful flies and mosquito .
Summer Island
Garden , MIAlmost as removed as Isle Royale , this atoll is settle at the southern tip of the Garden Peninsula , a little - visit plot within the UP . There ’s a former Native American and European American colonisation on the island which was excavated ten ago , but primarily , you ’ll find yourself one of few people who can exact to have visited this unique point .
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Ontonagon , MIThe Porkies are filled with hiking trail in Northern Michigan ’s small but beautiful mountains . Along the southerly shoring of Lake Superior , you ’ll find state - sanctioned cabin for rent and camping ground to pitch your own tent on , all with access to unbelievable tramp in the vast wild of the north Ellen Price Wood .
Lower Falls Campground
Paradise , MITahquamenon Falls , Michigan ’s most gasconade exercise set of waterfalls , is one of the largest eastward of the Mississippi River , tumble with about 7,000 congius of water per second ( with a maximal flow recorded at 50,000 gallons per second , which is , like , a lot of freakin ’ water ) , with a cliff of about 50 ft . It ’s a splendid piazza to tent up for a few years . We commend the Lower Falls campsite for its propinquity to a serial publication of little falls which flow around an island .
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park
Copper Harbor , MIWhile it ’s the most plugged - in camping location on this list , it ’s also one of the loveliest , right at the northerly hint of the Keweenaw Peninsula . There are opportunity for hiking and meridian sunrise / circle watch from this popular campsite nestled in the historical mining region of Copper Harbor .
Apostle Islands
Bayfield , WISorry , Wisconsin , we ’re going to slip your islands for the purposes of this article . Since the UP in all likelihood should be yours anyway , we ’re move to observe your state by including this archipelago which lie on Lake Superior ’s southern shore . This national lakeshore comprises 21 islands stick out out in the nigh - freezing depths of one of the largest lakes in the world . With nearly 70,000 land of natural wonders like sandstone cliff and man - made landmarks like historical lighthouses , there ’s plenty to search . And some of the more interesting campground are so remote that you ’ll feel like you ’re on another planet .
Government Island
Les Cheneaux Islands , MIDon’t worry , there are n’t any suit of clothes or red tape to go through to get to this island in the strait of Mackinac – you just demand a boat . This uninhabited clod of land is federally owned ( hence the name ) , and you do n’t need to pay fees or larn any license to pack here . There are two pit toilets , a communal fire pit , and a breeze mesa ; the residue is up to you to tamp in and , of course , pack out .
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Munising , MIOne of the most beautiful spots in all of Michigan , this area is also one of the swelled holidaymaker spots in the UP . That ’ll happen when it ’s as pretty and wanton to get to from the down peninsula as it is . The part ’s gorgeous beach will be some of the safe swim of your life story , as long as you could address the water temperature : just think of it as a baptism in sparkler water . To get away from some of the crowds , there are backcountry encampment sites that take you along the entire lakeside for that seclude experience .
Twelvemile Beach
Grand Marais , MITruly a heavenly point located near the Pictured Rocks , Twelvemile Beach has an undisclosed identification number of miles of pure lakeshore beach with some of the most stunning , paint sunset you’re able to imagine .
Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness
Sidnaw , MIWith mountains to hike and waterfalls to explore , this camping area is remote and full of escapade . You may well be the only people here , so bring everything you ’ll need for a few days , include plenty of hemipterous insect spray , firewood , and of row , Michigan - brewed beer . Be prepared to recede yourself in the starry night sky .
Black River Harbor
Bessemer , MIAt press time , this campground was still closed for on-going renovation , but we ’re order that it ’s bear to open back up sometime in July . With gushing waterfalls , pleasant hiking , and a Lake Superior beachfront , there ’s little more you’re able to ask for from a bivouacking experience .
Sugar Island
Sault Ste . Marie , MIThe original home of the Anishinaabeg is a hard forest island of nigh 50sqmi between Michigan and Ontario , Canada , east of Sault Ste . Marie . Today , it ’s full of hike opportunities and encampment for visitant to the lightly inhabited land mass .
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