Top 10 Best Campgrounds in Michigan | 2026 Guide
Michigan's complete camping guide featuring Great Lakes shorelines, sand dunes, and Upper Peninsula wilderness. Underrated destinations for summer camping.
Michigan doesn’t get the camping credit it deserves. With more freshwater coastline than any other state and two peninsulas packed with forests, dunes, and waterfalls, we’re convinced it’s one of the best-kept secrets in the outdoor world. Here are our top 10 picks.
1. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Backcountry Sites
Location: Munising, Upper Peninsula
Sandstone cliffs painted in iron, copper, and manganese tower over Lake Superior. The backcountry sites along the Chapel Loop and Beaver Lake give you front-row seats to some of the most dramatic scenery in the Midwest.
Best for: Backpackers and photographers chasing that golden hour light on the cliffs.
Pro tip: The Mosquito Beach site lives up to its name. Pack serious bug protection or skip it for Chapel Beach instead.
2. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - D.H. Day Campground
Location: Glen Arbor, Lower Peninsula
We’ve camped all over the country, and D.H. Day remains one of our favorites. Walk-in sites tucked into the forest, a short stroll to Lake Michigan, and those iconic dunes within striking distance.
Best for: Families and couples who want easy beach access without the RV circus.
Pro tip: Site 74 and the other walk-in spots fill fast. Book the moment reservations open.
3. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Presque Isle Campground
Location: Ontonagon, Upper Peninsula
The “Porkies” are Michigan’s largest state park, and Presque Isle sits right on the Lake Superior shore. You’ll find old-growth hemlock forests, secluded waterfalls, and the kind of quiet that’s hard to find these days.
Best for: Hikers looking to tackle the Lake of the Clouds overlook and multi-day loops.
Pro tip: The rustic cabins scattered through the park are worth booking if you want a roof but still want that wilderness feel.
4. Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Rivermouth Campground
Location: Paradise, Upper Peninsula
Camp near one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The Rivermouth unit puts you on the Tahquamenon River with paddling access and a short drive to both the Upper and Lower Falls.
Best for: Kayakers and canoeists who want to explore the river system.
Pro tip: Rent a rowboat at the Lower Falls to paddle out to the island in the middle of the cascade. It’s the best view in the park.
5. Wilderness State Park
Location: Carp Lake, Lower Peninsula
26 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and some of the darkest skies in the Lower Peninsula. The rustic cabins and campsites here feel genuinely remote, even though you’re only 15 minutes from Mackinaw City.
Best for: Stargazers, kayakers, and anyone who wants to feel far from civilization.
Pro tip: Reserve a lakeshore site in the Lakeshore Campground. Waking up to that view never gets old.
6. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness
Location: Ludington, Lower Peninsula
Michigan’s only federally designated wilderness area on the mainland. No reservations, no amenities, just you and the dunes. Pick a spot in the backcountry and fall asleep to waves crashing on Lake Michigan.
Best for: Experienced backpackers who don’t need hand-holding.
Pro tip: The trail from the parking lot is only about a mile, but the sand makes it feel longer. Wear sturdy boots and pack light.
7. Craig Lake State Park
Location: Champion, Upper Peninsula
The most remote state park in Michigan. No electricity, no running water, and a 7-mile rough road just to reach the trailhead. The payoff? Complete solitude on pristine lakes with excellent fishing.
Best for: Those who want to truly disconnect and don’t mind roughing it.
Pro tip: High clearance vehicle strongly recommended. This isn’t the place to test your sedan’s limits.
8. Ludington State Park
Location: Ludington, Lower Peninsula
If we had to recommend one campground for first-time Michigan campers, this would be it. Beaches on both Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake, miles of trails, the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, and well-maintained facilities.
Best for: Families and anyone who wants variety without venturing too far off-grid.
Pro tip: Paddle the canoe trail through the marshlands at sunset. You’ll thank us later.
9. Mackinac Island State Park
Location: Mackinac Island
No cars allowed on the island, which means you’re hiking or biking to your campsite. The small campground in the park’s interior offers something genuinely unique: camping on an island in the middle of the Straits of Mackinac.
Best for: Cyclists and history buffs who want to explore the island after the day-trippers leave.
Pro tip: Stock up on supplies before the afternoon ferry. Options get limited after tourist hours.
10. Port Crescent State Park
Location: Port Austin, Lower Peninsula (Thumb Region)
Dark sky preserve status, 3 miles of sandy Lake Huron beach, and a spot on the Saginaw Bay that most out-of-staters have never heard of. The sunrises here rival anything on the west coast.
Best for: Photographers, beach campers, and anyone escaping the crowds.
Pro tip: The park sits at the tip of the Thumb. Time your visit around a meteor shower and you won’t be disappointed.
Final Thoughts
Michigan camping is all about the water. Whether it’s Superior’s wild shores, Michigan’s sandy beaches, or the quiet inland lakes of the UP, you’re never far from something worth paddling. Book early for summer weekends, pack layers even in July, and don’t skip the Upper Peninsula.
See you out there.