How much does camping cost at Detour State Forest Campground?

Camping fees at Detour State Forest Campground range from $20/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Detour State Forest Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Detour State Forest 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 Detour State Forest Campground before I book?

Yes! Detour State Forest Campground has 15 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.

Are there showers at Detour State Forest Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Detour State Forest Campground?

Fire policies at Detour State Forest Campground: No firewood is sold in the campground; visitors are advised to purchase firewood along M-134 before arrival. No official on-site fire policy provided in source materials.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Detour State Forest Campground have?

Detour State Forest Campground has 21 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Detour State Forest Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Detour State Forest 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 Detour State Forest Campground?

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

What activities can I do at Detour State Forest Campground?

Popular activities at Detour State Forest Campground include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Detour State Forest Campground

4.47

89 reviews

Summer Destination

Featured in:Pet-Friendly Campgrounds Michigan

Quick Facts

620 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

620 ft

Price

$20/night

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

21 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Detour State Forest Campground

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campsite Fees

A Google review lists the nightly fee as $20; official DNR fee not provided in source materials. Sites are rustic (no hookups).

No paid fee categories listed.

Share this campground

Michigan

Provider

(906) 248-3422

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Detour State Forest Campground

45.9583, -84.0006

Nearby places

DeTour Village (≈5 miles east)

Caribou Lake area (≈3 miles north)

St. Mary's River area (≈5 miles east). Nearby towns with services include DeTour Village, Cedarville, and Hessel.

Nearby supplies

Supplies and services available in DeTour Village (≈5 mi). Additional dining/amenities in Cedarville and Hessel.

Weather at Detour State Forest Campground

Best Time to Camp at Detour State Forest Campground

Summer brings daytime highs in the 65–80°F range, though wind off the lake can drop temperatures. Lake Huron warms to the upper 50s or mid-60s by July and August, making swimming tolerable. Mosquitoes and black flies peak in early summer near standing water. Shoulder seasons offer solitude and cold lake water. Lake levels shift beach conditions slightly from year to year.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer highs 65–80°F; Lake Huron warms to upper 50s–mid 60s and swimming/paddling common.

Planning Tips

About Detour State Forest Campground

DeTour State Forest Campground sits on Lake Huron's eastern Upper Peninsula shoreline, five miles west of DeTour Village. All 21 sites are first-come-first-served, wooded, and open onto a sandy-pebble beach. Fees run $20 per night. Expect vault toilets, a hand-pump well, and no electricity or showers.

Rustic Lake Huron state forest campground with about 21 first-come, first-served sites; primarily used by tent campers and small trailers, with a few larger sites able to handle bigger rigs.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings daytime highs in the 65–80°F range, though wind off the lake can drop temperatures. Lake Huron warms to the upper 50s or mid-60s by July and August, making swimming tolerable. Mosquitoes and black flies peak in early summer near standing water. Shoulder seasons offer solitude and cold lake water. Lake levels shift beach conditions slightly from year to year.

Natural Features and SceneryMixed forest blankets the campground, with sites tucked among trees that provide shade and semi-privacy. A short walk through the woods leads to a sandy-pebble beach where Lake Huron's clear water stretches to the horizon. Driftwood lines the shore. Wetlands near the campground draw frogs and shorebirds, and wildflowers bloom along the forest floor in season. At night, minimal light pollution reveals the Milky Way overhead. Freighters pass close enough to watch from shore.

Geological RegionLake Huron shoreline on the eastern Upper Peninsula (shoreline/forested coastal area)

Scenic ViewsLake Huron shoreline views from many sites and beach access; opportunities to watch freighters and shoreline scenery from camp and the beach.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Rustic state forest campground: vault toilets, a hand-pump well for potable water, picnic tables, and a dumpster/trash receptacles. No electricity, no showers, and no on-site firewood sales.

Potable water

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Lakeshore camping on Lake Huron with beach access for swimming, beachcombing, and ship watching; carry-in paddlesports and shoreline fishing are common. Trails and nearby public land provide hiking, wildlife viewing, biking and hunting access on adjacent state land.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsHand-pump well water has been reported as brown from iron by at least one camper. Minimal signage off M-134 can cause missed turns. Variable shoreline due to water levels can affect beach size. Many sites are small or have tight access for large RVs; only a few sites can accommodate very large vehicles. Cell/data coverage is not documented and should not be relied upon.

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).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

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

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From Booking Sources

4.5

89 reviews

Recommended

Detour State Forest Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers consistently praise the campground's peaceful, wooded setting and direct Lake Huron access; vault toilets and a hand-pump well are noted as clean and functional. Many reviewers emphasize the rustic, first-come-first-served nature and limited suitability for large RVs.

Review Summaries

Based on 89 reviews

What Campers Love

Quiet, uncrowded lakeshore location with wooded, semi-private sites, easy access to a sandy/pebble beach, good swimming and paddling, dark night skies and frequent close-up views of freighters.

Based on 89 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early (all sites are first-come, first-served); bring your own drinking water or filtration due to iron-stained well water; buy firewood before arrival (no on-site sales); target mid-loop...

Based on 89 reviews

Camper Quotes

“The sites were spacious, and our site (#19) had a path to Lake Huron.”; “No electricity or showers. Vault toilets.”

Based on 89 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Tent campers and kayakers who can snag sites 14 or 19 early get direct beach access, cold clear water for swimming, and dark skies without paying for amenities they don't need. The nearby Bush Bay shoreline trail adds a solid half-day hike.

Skip if

Large RVs will find most sites too tight, the well water runs brown with iron so bring your own supply or a filter, there are no showers, and the turnoff from M-134 is easy to miss with no real signage warning you it's coming.

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