How much does camping cost at Carp River Campground?

Camping fees at Carp River Campground range from $24/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Carp River Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Carp River Campground accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Carp River Campground before I book?

Yes! Carp River Campground has 7 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

What is the best time to visit Carp River Campground?

Carp River Campground is open May 15 to September 11. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Carp River Campground?

Carp River Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Carp River Campground?

Cell phone service at Carp River Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Carp River Campground have?

Carp River Campground has 20 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Carp River Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Carp River Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Carp River Campground?

Carp River Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Carp River Campground

Q: Can I have a campfire at Carp River Campground?

Fire policies at Carp River Campground: Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

4.28

113 reviews

N. 4664 Mackanac Trail, St. Ignace, MI 49781, USA

Tent Camping

Featured in:Fishing Camping Michigan

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

666 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Hiawatha National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

666 ft

Price

$24/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

20 campsites

Season

Open season begins M...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book on Hiawatha National Forest Official Website

Get Directions

Carp River Campground

$24.00 - $24.00 / night

Campsite Fees

STANDARD NONELECTRIC: $24.00. Plus Recreation.gov reservation transaction fee ($8 online / $9 phone / $3 in person).

Standard Site Fee$24.00

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

906-203-9872

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Carp River Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

N. 4664 Mackanac Trail, St. Ignace, MI 49781, USA

Carp River Campground

N. 4664 Mackanac Trail, St. Ignace, MI 49781, USA

Nearby places

St. Ignace (8 miles, approximately 15 minutes)

Sault Ste. Marie (less than 1 hour)

Mackinaw City (approximately 15 minutes via Mackinac Bridge).

Weather at Carp River Campground

Current alerts(2)

Reservation cannot be traded for walk up sites
We do not have an office at this location. It has a self pay station. Reservations cannot be changed at this location.

Best Time to Camp at Carp River Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers warm, long days ideal for swimming, boating, and river trout fishing — expect daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s F (18–26°C) with cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s F (7–13°C). The Carp Wild and Scenic River and nearby Great Lakes shoreline are at their most accessible, trails are dry and easy, and wildlife is active. This is the campground's peak recreation window (June–mid September), so expect moderate to busy crowds on holiday weekends — reserve early. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Best season (June–mid-Sept); warm days, cool nights, popular but mosquitoes/pollen noted.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: May 15 to September 11. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open season begins May 23, 2025, with reservations available from June 25, 2025, to September 14, 2025.

About Carp River Campground

Carp River Campground sits in Hiawatha National Forest near St. Ignace, Michigan, offering budget-friendly tent, RV, and primitive sites along a designated Wild and Scenic River. Operated by the U.S. Forest Service, this small campground provides vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings for campers seeking spacious, private sites in a quiet forest setting. Visitors fish for trout, hike forest trails, bike nearby routes, and watch wildlife along the riverbanks.

Carp River Campground offers standard non-electric sites suitable for tent and RV camping. Group and primitive camping are not specified.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers warm, long days ideal for swimming, boating, and river trout fishing — expect daytime highs typically in the mid-60s to upper-70s F (18–26°C) with cool nights in the mid-40s to mid-50s F (7–13°C). The Carp Wild and Scenic River and nearby Great Lakes shoreline are at their most accessible, trails are dry and easy, and wildlife is active. This is the campground's peak recreation window (June–mid September), so expect moderate to busy crowds on holiday weekends — reserve early. Peak months: July, August, June, September Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation666 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a forested corridor along the Carp River, where native trout swim beneath a canopy of hardwoods, jackpine, and conifers. The river winds through the property with steep banks in places, limiting easy water access. At 666 feet elevation, the surrounding Hiawatha National Forest creates a mix of dense woods and shaded sites. The Upper Peninsula's position between Lakes Superior, Huron, and Michigan influences the local ecology, though the campground itself sits inland among the trees.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style lodging accommodations are available at Carp River Campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00 PM

Check-out

12:00 PM

Stay Limit

Maximum of 14 consecutive nights during a single visit.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Information not explicitly provided.

Groups

Group sites are not explicitly mentioned in authoritative sources or reviews.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made via Recreation.gov, including its website, mobile app, and contact center.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are limited; terrain near the river can be steep and challenging to navigate for some visitors, as noted by reviewers.

Site SizeSites are described as spacious, with substantial buffer zones between campsites. User reviews highlight their suitability for both tents and larger RVs.

PrivacyMost sites are reported as private due to ample spacing and wooded surroundings, offering a secluded camping environment.

Total Campsites20 campsites

Recommended SitesChoose sites near the river for scenic views but be mindful of access challenges due to steep banks. Sites away from generators may provide a quieter experience.

Best CampsitesSites 006, 009, and 010 get consistent mentions in reviews for their spaciousness, proximity to the river, and condition. These spots combine the campground's signature privacy with easier river access.

Need help booking Carp River Campground?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

Recreation.gov Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

Free alerts for this campground

Amenities available

Carp River Campground offers essential amenities for a rustic camping experience. All sites feature picnic tables and substantial fire rings equipped with cooking grates, providing a functional setup for outdoor meals. "Each site is large with a table and fire ring," according to one user review. Vault toilets and potable water are conveniently distributed throughout the campground, ensuring accessible hygiene and hydration. The vault toilets receive mixed feedback; while some campers found them clean and well-maintained, others noted unpleasant odors. For example, a reviewer mentioned, "The vault toilets did not stink. In fact, they were extremely clean!" Another noted, "The pit toilets [...] were clean but the smell was overwhelming." Drinking water is available via well pumps, with some reviewers highlighting the good taste. Trash collection facilities are also available. Firewood can be purchased on-site, although availability is sometimes limited, as one reviewer stated, "They were out of campfire wood." Cell phone reception varies, with reports of 4G coverage from Verizon. However, there are no showers, electrical hookups, or Wi-Fi facilities, emphasizing the campground’s rustic nature.

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Firewood available

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Carp River Campground provides a range of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing. The adjacent Carp River is popular for fishing, with species such as brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Some sites offer direct river access, but terrain can be steep in places, making access challenging. Hiking trails are present but not well-marked or prominent, with some reviewers noting the lack of unique trailheads. Kayaking and canoeing are seasonal activities, with water levels varying. Wildlife viewing is another highlight, given the wooded surroundings.

Hiking

Fishing

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

Fire PolicyDon't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

Trash & RecyclingTrash collection facilities are available, although recycling options are not explicitly mentioned.

Cell CoverageReviews indicate cell phone reception is accessible. One camper specifically mentioned, "4G from Verizon throughout."

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

Rate Carp River Campground

Been here? Tap a star to start. Takes about a minute.

Sign-in required only if you want your name on it.

From Booking Sources

4.3

113 reviews

Satisfactory

Carp River Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Carp River Campground is frequently visited and receives generally positive reviews. Highlights include its cleanliness, spacious sites, and quiet environment. However, complaints include generator noise, steep river access, and occasional host issues.

Review Summaries

Based on 113 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 113 reviews.

Site 009Loved
Site 009 received mixed feedback, with one reviewer praising its privacy and cleanliness while another commented on steep river access.
Site 006Loved
Site 006 was highlighted for proximity to fly fishing spots and cooler weather conditions.

What Campers Love

Common praises include the spacious and private campsites, clean vault toilets, helpful hosts, and well-maintained campground. "We found the campground beautifully maintained and quiet," stated one...

Based on 113 reviews

Common Concerns

Issues raised include excessive generator noise, tough terrain near the river, lack of trailheads, and some complaints about host behavior. One reviewer mentioned, "Better if they banned generators."...

Based on 113 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend arriving after 2 p.m. to avoid paying for an extra day and bringing batteries or generators for power. Fly fishing and kayaking are mentioned as enjoyable activities, though water...

Based on 113 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer months are popular due to favorable weather, but mosquitoes and pollen can be problematic. Winter camping isn't discussed.

Based on 113 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Very clean (especially the restrooms) with great campsites," noted Sarah Ann. "Be warned, there is NO ELECTRIC here," cautioned Curt B.

Based on 113 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility near the river is problematic due to steep terrain, particularly for families with kids.

Based on 113 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and the campground is described as dog-friendly in user reviews. However, one camper mentioned, "Potentially poison ivy near the river bay but not certain."

Based on 113 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You want affordable, private sites near trout fishing and forest trails without crowds.

Skip if

You need river access without steep banks or a generator-free guarantee during peak season.

Nearby Campgrounds

Frequently Visited

4.5

(210)

Brevoort Lake Campground

N 4149 Brevort Camp Rd. MORAN MI 49760

Brevoort Lake Campground sits on a peninsula in Hiawatha National Forest, 20 minutes from St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge. Operated by S'more Memories LLC, this mid-sized campground offers tent and RV sites with flush toilets, a dump station, and direct lake access for boating, swimming, and fishing for walleye, bass, and perch. Spacious, private sites and clean facilities draw families and couples seeking Upper Peninsula forest and water recreation during the summer season.