Is East Chickenbone Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

East Chickenbone Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at East Chickenbone Campground before I book?

Yes! East Chickenbone Campground has 2 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 East Chickenbone Campground?

East Chickenbone Campground is open Open seasonally from June 1 to Labor Day.. 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 East Chickenbone Campground?

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

Are dogs allowed at East Chickenbone Campground?

Pets are not allowed at East Chickenbone Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

East Chickenbone Campground

1.75

8 reviews

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, USA

Featured in:Spring Camping Michigan

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

751 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

751 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Open seasonally from...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

East Chickenbone Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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) 482-0984isro_parkinfo@nps.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to East Chickenbone Campground

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

Campground Map

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, USA

East Chickenbone Campground

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, USA

Nearby places

Houghton (~0 miles

campground is managed from Houghton headquarters).

Weather at East Chickenbone Campground

Best Time to Camp at East Chickenbone Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the only reliably accessible window (site is open June 1 through Labor Day), with the calmest weather and longest daylight for backcountry hiking. Expect cool, comfortable daytime temperatures roughly 55–70°F and nights in the 40s–50s, making multi-day treks and lakeshore camps comfortable. Trails, wildflower displays, and lake access are at their peak, and while mid-July weekends are the busiest, overall crowd levels remain low compared with mainland parks. Peak months: July, August, June Avoid: September, October, November, December

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open June 1–Labor Day; comfortable temps and the busiest (but still remote) season.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open seasonally from June 1 to Labor Day.

About East Chickenbone Campground

East Chickenbone Campground is a backcountry site on Isle Royale, a roadless island in Lake Superior reached only by boat or seaplane. Operated by the National Park Service, it offers primitive tent camping for hikers traversing the island's trail network. The campground provides a quiet alternative to busier island sites, though reviewers note it sits in a more exposed setting with a longer walk to water.

East Chickenbone Campground offers a remote camping experience accessible by foot, canoe, or kayak. It is not reservable and has a two-night stay limit during the peak season (June 1 to Labor Day).

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the only reliably accessible window (site is open June 1 through Labor Day), with the calmest weather and longest daylight for backcountry hiking. Expect cool, comfortable daytime temperatures roughly 55–70°F and nights in the 40s–50s, making multi-day treks and lakeshore camps comfortable. Trails, wildflower displays, and lake access are at their peak, and while mid-July weekends are the busiest, overall crowd levels remain low compared with mainland parks. Peak months: July, August, June Avoid: September, October, November, December

Elevation751 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a pocket of Isle Royale's interior wilderness at 751 feet elevation, where dense boreal forest meets billion-year-old volcanic bedrock. The exposed sites offer unobstructed views across the surrounding ridges and forests, though this openness means limited shade and wind protection. Chickenbone Lake stretches to the west, but the campground sits inland rather than on the shoreline. Rocky outcroppings and ancient glacial carving define the landscape.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs were mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

2nights from June 1 to Labor Day annually.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsWalk-up only; no advance reservations allowed.

AccessibilityNo accessibility features were explicitly stated. The only access mentioned is via foot, canoe, or kayak, which may not be suitable for individuals with mobility challenges.

Site SizeNo specific sizes of campsites were provided.

PrivacyCampground has been described as 'exposed,' suggesting a lack of privacy. One user review mentions it is suitable for solitude when the campground is not busy.

Recommended SitesSites are recommended for solitude rather than convenience. Visitors should plan for extended walks to water sources.

Amenities available

East Chickenbone Campground is an inland campground located on the east end of Chickenbone Lake. It lacks boater access but offers canoe and kayak access via portages (1.2 miles from McCargoe Cove or 0.2 miles from Lake Livermore). The campground is not situated on the shoreline, making it less convenient for watercraft users compared to West Chickenbone Campground.

I manage this campground

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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 East Chickenbone 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

1.8

8 reviews

Mixed Reviews

East Chickenbone Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

East Chickenbone Campground has a mixed reputation, with an average user sentiment of 3.5 out of 5. It is valued for its solitude but criticized for its exposed setting and inconvenient water access.

Review Summaries

Based on 8 reviews

What Campers Love

Visitors appreciate the solitude the campground provides, particularly when the island is busy.

Based on 8 reviews

Common Concerns

Users have noted the campground's 'exposed' nature and the 'long walk to the lake for water,' which some found inconvenient. Others described it as 'not as scenic or interesting as other campgrounds...

Based on 8 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers should be prepared for the exposed nature of the campsites and the long walk to the lake for water. Consider bringing sufficient water or equipment to manage water collection.

Based on 8 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is busiest during the peak summer season (June 1 to Labor Day). Visitors seeking solitude may appreciate the less crowded atmosphere during this period.

Based on 8 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Pretty exposed site, long walk to water, but when it's busy and you were looking for solitude it works.' - Willy Graves, Aug 2021. 'Long walk to the lake for water, not as scenic or interesting as...

Based on 8 reviews

Accessibility Features

No specific mentions of accessibility features or reviews from users with disabilities were included.

Based on 8 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No reviews or details regarding pet policies were provided.

Based on 8 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 a quieter backcountry stop on Isle Royale and value solitude over scenic drama.

Skip if

You prefer lakefront campsites with easy water access or more dramatic island scenery.

Nearby Campgrounds

3.9

(14)

Mccargoe Cove Campground

800 E. Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, MI, 49931, USA

McCargoe Cove Campground sits on a protected cove along the north shore of Isle Royale, a remote wilderness island in Lake Superior accessible only by boat or seaplane. Operated by Isle Royale National Park, this primitive backcountry site serves backpackers and paddlers exploring the island's interior trails and coastal waters. The sheltered cove offers respite from Lake Superior winds, with vault toilets and fire rings as the only amenities.