Lake Superior State Forest Campground

4.51

134 reviews

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

18 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Allowed

Opens Michigan DNR site

Get Directions

Lake Superior State Forest Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Self-registration pay station reported by visitors; campers are advised to bring cash. No published fee amounts in source material.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Michigan

Provider

(906) 658-3338

What Campers Say

4.51

Top-Rated

Based on 134 reviews

131 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleanspacious

"Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the campground for direct Lake Superior access, quiet/peaceful atmosphere, scenic beaches and short footpaths to the lake from nearly every site. Overall sentiment is very positive, with repeated return visitors despite rustic conditions."

Read all reviews

Best Time to Camp at Lake Superior State Forest Campground

Lake Superior writes its own weather rules, so come prepared for wind, sudden changes, and bracing water temperatures that hover around 41°F even in summer—refreshing for the bold, best admired from shore for most. Summer also brings the north woods' infamous biting flies and mosquitoes, so pack your bug spray and embrace the wild. While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that roads and sites aren't plowed, making it a true backcountry experience for those seeking solitude in the snow.

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Off-season, limited services. Check for closures before visiting.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Open year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter.

About Lake Superior State Forest Campground

Escape to this intimate 18-site gem tucked right on Lake Superior's wild shoreline, where rustic camping meets breathtaking lakefront beauty. This first-come, first-served state forest campground keeps things delightfully simple—vault toilets, hand-pumped water, and tent or small-trailer sites available for up to 15 days—letting you focus on what matters: the lake, the stars, and the sound of Superior's waves.

Rustic, first-come-first-serve lakeshore campground primarily for tent and small-trailer camping with some sites large enough for mid-size trailers.

Weather and SeasonsLake Superior writes its own weather rules, so come prepared for wind, sudden changes, and bracing water temperatures that hover around 41°F even in summer—refreshing for the bold, best admired from shore for most. Summer also brings the north woods' infamous biting flies and mosquitoes, so pack your bug spray and embrace the wild. While the campground welcomes visitors year-round, winter adventurers should note that roads and sites aren't plowed, making it a true backcountry experience for those seeking solitude in the snow.

Natural Features and SceneryImagine stepping from your tent onto a short path through low dunes and emerging onto your own stretch of Lake Superior beach, where sand meets cobblestone and weathered driftwood dots the shore. Many sites nestle just behind the dunes in mixed woods, offering front-row seats to the lake's moody beauty and thundering surf. As evening falls, watch the sun paint the sky over endless water, then stay up for some of the darkest, most spectacular stargazing you'll find. The North Country Trail and Blind Sucker Pathway wind right through the area, inviting you to explore further into this pristine lakeside wilderness.

Geological RegionLake Superior shore / Lake Superior State Forest in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula

Campsite details

Total Campsites18 campsites

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

15-day maximum stay

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Open and Closed SeasonOpen year-round; campground and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter.

Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com (site is not reservable; first-come, first-serve)

Amenities available

Potable water

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Shoreline campground on Lake Superior offering lakeshore access, hiking (including the Blind Sucker Pathway/North Country Trail), paddling, fishing, and a variety of year-round snow and trail activities. Many sites have short footpaths leading directly to the lake.

Hiking

Blind Sucker Pathway runs alongside the campground and connects to the North Country Trail; lakeshore walking and trail hiking available from the site.

Fishing

Fishing opportunities from the lakeshore on Lake Superior and nearby inland waters; anglers reported fishing from the campground.

Swimming

Lake Superior beach access for swimming; reviewers and measurements note the water is often very cold, even in summer.

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Campground rules

Pets are allowed
Each site reported to have a fire ring; users should follow Michigan DNR fire rules (no site-specific fire policy text provided).
Quiet hours are Visitors report a quiet, non-party atmosphere with volunteer hosts enforcing quiet hours (specific hours not provided).

Hazards

General hazardsCold lake water for swimmers; heavy biting flies and mosquitoes in season; occasional wildlife encounters (at least one reported bear visit); remoteness with long unpaved/washboard roads and limited nearby services; seasonal roads not plowed in winter.

Weather at Lake Superior State Forest Campground

°F

Dec 26

Friday

Overcast

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 84%

Wind: 9.9 mph

Overcast

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

Reveal forecast

Good to know

Common complaintsBiting flies and insects (especially early season), very rustic facilities (vault toilets only, no showers or hookups), remote location with rough/dirt roads and limited nearby services, occasional poor condition of vault toilets noted by some reviewers.

Campground Map

Lake Superior State Forest Campground

Driving directionsLocated 34 miles northwest of Newberry via M-123 and County Road 407; six miles west of Muskallonge Lake State Park. Access includes unpaved/washboard county roads (County Road 407/416).

Reached via M-123 and local county roads; last miles are on unpaved/washboard roads and remote.

Nearby places

Grand Marais — ~12 miles

Newberry — ~34 miles

Nearby supplies

Grand Marais (~12 miles) is the nearest town with services

Newberry is ~34 miles away.

Reviews from booking and map sources

4.5

134 reviews

Top-Rated

Lake Superior State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviewers overwhelmingly praise the campground for direct Lake Superior access, quiet/peaceful atmosphere, scenic beaches and short footpaths to the lake from nearly every site. Overall sentiment is very positive, with repeated return visitors despite rustic conditions.

Review Summaries

Based on 134 reviews

What Campers Love

Direct lakeshore access and views from nearly every site; quiet, family-friendly atmosphere; uncrowded, scenic cobble/sand beach good for rock-hounding and walking; short footpaths from campsites to...

Based on 134 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early (sites are first-come, first-serve and fill quickly in peak season); bring cash for self-registration, bring drinking water containers for the hand-pump well, pack for insects (screen...

Based on 134 reviews

Camper Quotes

"If you're down for camping and not Glamping, put this on your trip list."; "The best place to unwind..god's country"; "each campsite has a path that leads to the lake and a view of the lake."

Based on 134 reviews