Is Malone Bay Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Malone Bay 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 Malone Bay Campground before I book?

Yes! Malone Bay 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 Malone Bay Campground?

Malone Bay Campground is open Open season generally aligns with Isle Royale National Park operating dates; specific closure not detailed.. 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 Malone Bay Campground?

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

How many campsites does Malone Bay Campground have?

Malone Bay Campground has 5 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Malone Bay Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Malone Bay Campground?

Malone Bay Campground offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Malone Bay Campground

1.67

6 reviews

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

Scenic ViewsPeace & QuietSummer Destination

Featured in:Spring Camping Michigan

Quick Facts

640 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Open season generall...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

640 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Open season generall...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Malone Bay Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(906) 482-0984isro_parkinfo@nps.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

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

Malone Bay Campground

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

Nearby places

Houghton, MI (approximately 50 miles by water, no direct road access).

Weather at Malone Bay Campground

Best Time to Camp at Malone Bay Campground

Best season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and easiest access — expect cool, lake-moderated days in the mid-50s to mid-60s °F (occasionally touching low 70s) and nights in the 40s–50s. This is peak season for paddling, boating to Malone Bay, fishing, and long daylight for hiking between shelters, with the dock and occasional ranger presence easing logistics. Crowds are higher than other seasons but Isle Royale remains far quieter than mainland parks, so you still get excellent solitude without the Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Described as best season: summer offers the most reliable weather and easiest access.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open season generally aligns with Isle Royale National Park operating dates; specific closure not detailed.

About Malone Bay Campground

Malone Bay Campground sits on a remote shoreline of Isle Royale National Park, accessible only by boat or seaplane across Lake Superior from Houghton. Managed by the National Park Service, this primitive backcountry site offers a handful of tent spots for paddlers and boaters exploring the island's rugged coastline. Visitors use it as a staging point for multi-day hiking and fishing trips, with a dock easing arrivals during the short summer season.

Malone Bay Campground caters to campers seeking a rustic and primitive experience. It is suitable for hikers, paddlers, and boaters accessing the area.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer offers the most reliable weather and easiest access — expect cool, lake-moderated days in the mid-50s to mid-60s °F (occasionally touching low 70s) and nights in the 40s–50s. This is peak season for paddling, boating to Malone Bay, fishing, and long daylight for hiking between shelters, with the dock and occasional ranger presence easing logistics. Crowds are higher than other seasons but Isle Royale remains far quieter than mainland parks, so you still get excellent solitude without the Peak months: July, August, September, June Avoid: November, December, January, February

Elevation640 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits at 640 feet elevation where boreal forest meets Lake Superior's rocky shoreline. Ancient basalt formations. Some over a billion years old. Line the bay. Dense coniferous forest covers the ridges inland. The water is exceptionally clear, and moose sometimes wade through the shallows. Eagles and loons are common. Isle Royale's isolation in the world's largest freshwater lake creates a rare island ecosystem.

Lodging & AccommodationsMalone Bay Campground does not indicate availability of hotel-style lodging or accommodations.

Programs & ActivitiesCultural and educational programs are not detailed in the provided information.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

3nights effective June 1 – Labor Day annually.

Groups

No group campsites or details about group camping were mentioned.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNot reservable. Other broader site reservations can be made via Recreation.gov or mobile app.

AccessibilityAccessibility features were not mentioned in the provided information.

Site SizeThere are 5 shelters available at this campground, but specific dimensions of the shelters or campsite sizes are not provided.

PrivacyNo information is available about the privacy level of the campsites.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Amenities available

Malone Bay Campground has basic amenities suitable for those seeking a more primitive camping experience. It features a ranger station (not always staffed), an information station, and a dock with a depth of 3’-6’ under normal conditions. The campground is accessible only by foot, canoe, kayak, or private boat.

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Things to do at Malone Bay Campground

The activities within the campground were not explicitly stated, but being located on Isle Royale National Park and accessible by canoe, kayak, or private boat suggests potential recreational opportunities such as paddling and hiking.

Boating4.0/5

Accessible only by boat or seaplane; used by paddlers and private boaters.

Wildlife viewing4.0/5

Boreal forest setting with clear shoreline; moose sightings are noted in the description.

Water Sports4.0/5

Site is used by canoeists/kayakers exploring the island coastline.

Winter Activities

Signature experiences

Stargazing4.0/5Remote Isle Royale location implies very low light pollution for stargazing.

Photography5.0/5Basalt formations, clear water, boreal forest and remote light conditions are excellent for photos.

Not sure what to pack?Our complete camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

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 Malone Bay Campground

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From Booking Sources

1.7

6 reviews

Mixed Reviews

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

The user reviews highlight significant issues with some campsites, such as Group Site #2 being unusable due to large ant mounds. This suggests mixed experiences among visitors.

Review Summaries

Based on 6 reviews

Best sites at a glance

Pulled from per-site mentions in 6 reviews.

site #1Mentioned
Review by Dennis S: Group site #1 has a tree down by fire ring.
site #2Mentioned
Group site #2 has the largest ant mounds I have EVER seen.

What Campers Love

Specific positive highlights were not provided in the reviews.

Based on 6 reviews

Common Concerns

One reviewer noted that 'Group site #2 has the largest ant mounds I have EVER seen. UNUSEABLE.'

Based on 6 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

No user-provided tips or recommendations were included in the reviews.

Based on 6 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No seasonal trends in user reviews have been provided.

Based on 6 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Group site #2 has the largest ant mounds I have EVER seen. UNUSEABLE."

Based on 6 reviews

Accessibility Features

Reviews specifically addressing accessibility features or experiences from users with disabilities are not available.

Based on 6 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Malone Bay Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite 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

263,000+ 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

Go if

You're paddling or boating Isle Royale's backcountry and want a remote lakeside camp between longer hikes.

Skip if

You need drive-up access, maintained facilities, or sites free of downed trees and ant mounds.

Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

0.0

(5)

Hatchet Lake Campground

Isle Royale National Park

Hatchet Lake Campground is a backcountry site accessible only by foot, sitting on the shore of Hatchet Lake on Isle Royale. The hike in from Greenstone Ridge is long and steep. One of the tougher descents on the island. But the reward is a quiet, lakefront camp shaded by birch forest. Open June 1 through Labor Day.

Malone Bay Campground

Quick Facts

Quick Facts

Get Notified When Available

Ask Camp Sage about Malone Bay Campground

Campground Map

Weather at Malone Bay Campground

Best Time to Camp at Malone Bay Campground

Planning Tips

About Malone Bay Campground

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Things to do at Malone Bay Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns

Get Notified When Available

Go if

Skip if

Directions

Explore related camping guides

Ask Camp Sage about Malone Bay Campground

Best Time to Camp at Malone Bay Campground

Planning Tips

Best Campsites

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Things to do at Malone Bay Campground

Policies & Safety

Trip Planning Tools

Reviews

What Campers Love

Common Concerns