Hidden Gem Camping Spots in the Upper Peninsula

Today | 4 min read

Camping is something special to many people in Michigan.

It can mean hiking forested trails before breakfast. Squeezing in a full day of swimming, biking and games in the campground before arranging chairs around a campfire, s’more supplies at the ready. Whether you’re a fan of tent camping, prefer pop-ups or the convenience of an RV, Michigan has a big selection of public and private campgrounds where you can get your outdoor fix.

For those heading farther north – over the Mackinac Bridge and into the Upper Peninsula – you’re in for a real treat. Michigan’s upper half is known for its wild beauty and there are lots of hidden gem camping spots to enjoy.

Camping is a popular vacation in Michigan, and popularity has grown since 2020. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reported there were more than 1 million nights reserved in 2025 at state parks. Some of the more popular parks can be fully booked six months in advance.

Upper Peninsula campgrounds are seeing that same uptick in popularity, but they have a decidedly different feel. The region’s natural features feel bigger, more rustic and even more majestic. Waterfalls abound. The night sky is a stargazer’s paradise. The U.P. is bookended by the Porcupine Mountains on the western end and favorites like Pictured Rocks and Drummond Island marking the northern and eastern edges. In between, you’ll find incredible spots like Tahquamenon Falls and the curve of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Here are several U.P. campgrounds we like to think of as Up North gems:

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ontonagon

If you want to leave the modern world behind, this is the spot. This is Michigan’s largest state park at 60,000 acres. It has a big mix of camping options, some overlooking Lake Superior. These include a modern campground, backcountry camping, rustic and group sites and other lodging options like cabins and yurts. Visiting the famous Lake of the Clouds is a must-do.

Straits State Park, St. Ignace

How many campgrounds can say they boast views of the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac? Straits State Park is a fan favorite. It’s got a waterfront border along Lake Huron and it’s also very close to town. It is just minutes from the bridge, making it a great first stop on a U.P. adventure. This park is also a hot spot for birding enthusiasts in the spring and fall when migratory birds travel over the Straits.

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, Copper Harbor

This modern campground has a lot going on. First, the water views are incredible. It is rimmed by Lake Superior on one side and Lake Fanny Hooe on the other. But it’s also a great find for history buffs. The park offers a glimpse into northern frontier life, featuring a restored military outpost the way it would have looked in 1844. There are also two lighthouses and interpretive programming. The location is amazing, too, at the very tip of the Michigan mainland’s northernmost peninsula.

Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise

This huge two-tiered waterfall is popular with campers and daytrippers alike, but camping here also ensures you’ll have time to check out the cool trails. The Upper Falls is the park’s largest waterfall, measuring more than 200 feet across and featuring a 50-foot drop. The Lower Falls now has an accessible pedestrian bridge so people can reach an island there – a journey that used to take a boat trip. Feeling adventurous? Take the 4-mile trail along the tannin-stained river to trek between the Upper and Lower falls.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising

A sprawling national park, Pictured Rocks draws its name from the colored sandstone cliffs that rise out of Lake Superior. The park hugs the lake’s shoreline for more than 40 miles and includes several natural features that draw hikers year-round. Pictured Rocks has three drive-in campgrounds that require reservations.

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Photo credit: Getty Images