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.

Malone Bay Campground

1.67

6 reviews

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

Summer Destination

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

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

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

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 paid fee categories listed.

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Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(906) 482-0984isro_parkinfo@nps.gov

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Malone Bay 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

Summer provides most reliable conditions; peak season June–Labor Day.

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.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

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.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

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Policies & Safety

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Questions & answers

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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

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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.