Portage Bay State Forest Campground

Star4.70
47 reviews
Portage Bay State Forest Campground

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

23 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

RV Friendly

Opens Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR) site

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Portage Bay State Forest Campground
No fees available
Campsite Fees
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) 644-2603

What Campers Say

4.70

Top-Rated

Based on 47 reviews

47 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanspaciouswater

Some mention

cell service

"Reviewers consistently praise the campground's remote, peaceful lakeshore setting, exceptionally good waterfront sites, and well-maintained rustic facilities. Most reviews are highly positive (many 5★) with praise for views, solitude, and clean vault toilets and pump water."

Read all reviews


Best Time to Camp at Portage Bay State Forest Campground

Lake Michigan writes its own weather story here, and it's one of dramatic beauty and quick changes. Even summer evenings carry a refreshing chill off the water, while winds can shift from calm to spirited in an afternoon. Smart campers come prepared with layers—think cozy fleece for stargazing and a windbreaker for beach walks—turning the lake's moods into part of the adventure rather than a surprise.

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

    About Portage Bay State Forest Campground

    Escape to Portage Bay State Forest Campground, where the rhythm of Lake Michigan waves replaces your daily notifications. This intimate rustic retreat nestles you into a pristine boreal forest, with campsites perched right along Portage Bay's shoreline and 2.7 miles of the scenic Ninga Aki Pathway waiting to be explored.
    Rustic, first-come/first-serve state forest campground with tent and small-trailer sites; waterfront-oriented sites.
    Historical SignificanceCampground is managed by Fayette Historic State Park; no additional historical or cultural sites noted in the provided materials.
    Weather and SeasonsLake Michigan writes its own weather story here, and it's one of dramatic beauty and quick changes. Even summer evenings carry a refreshing chill off the water, while winds can shift from calm to spirited in an afternoon. Smart campers come prepared with layers—think cozy fleece for stargazing and a windbreaker for beach walks—turning the lake's moods into part of the adventure rather than a surprise.
    Natural Features and SceneryPicture your tent just steps from Lake Michigan's northern waters, where Portage Bay's gentle curves create your own private slice of shoreline. The campground embraces you in the quiet beauty of a boreal forest—think towering conifers, soft needle-carpeted paths, and that distinctive north woods atmosphere. When you're ready to stretch your legs, the Ninga Aki Pathway winds 2.7 miles through the forest, offering intimate glimpses of this special ecosystem where northern Michigan's wilderness meets the Great Lakes.
    Geological RegionGarden Peninsula / northern Lake Michigan shoreline; boreal forest ecosystem
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    Campsite details

    Total Campsites23 campsites

    Best Campsites

    Curated by campers, for campers
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    Reserving a campsite

    Stay Limit
    15-day maximum stay
    Tents
    Tents are allowed
    RV vehicles
    RV vehicles are allowed
    Primitive
    Primitive are allowed
    Reservable
    Reservations are not allowed

    Reservation PlatformsMIDNRReservations.com

    Amenities available

    Potable water
    Fire rings
    Picnic tables
    Vault toilets

    Activities you can enjoy

    Back-to-nature, waterfront campground with hiking, shoreline access, paddling/boating opportunities, fishing, and year-round low-impact recreation. Winter activities noted include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the area.
    Hiking
    Ninga Aki Pathway provides a 2.7-mile maintained hiking loop through boreal forest near the campground; additional informal shoreline walking and nearby forest roads for short hikes.
    Fishing
    Fishing opportunities in Portage Bay / Lake Michigan; species reported include lake trout, steelhead and coho.
    Swimming
    Shoreline access for wading and beach use; shoreline composition varies by site (sandy in some areas, rocky in others). Visitors recommend water shoes.
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    Campground rules

    • Pets are not allowed

    Hazards

    General hazardsRemote location with long dirt/gravel roads and likely limited or spotty cell coverage; wind and weather exposure on waterfront sites; insects (mosquitoes) reported in warmer months; occasional wildlife encounters noted in reviews.

    Weather at Portage Bay State Forest Campground

    30
    °F
    Dec 26
    Friday
    Overcast
    Precipitation: 0%
    Humidity: 66%
    Wind: 19.2 mph
    Overcast

    Weather History
    Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

    Detailed 7-Day Forecast
    Powered by AI weather analysis
    Reveal forecast

    Good to know

    Common complaintsRemoteness and long dirt/gravel roads to reach the campground; lack of modern amenities such as showers and hookups; limited or unreliable cell service; some sites can be damp/shaded or exposed to wind; not suitable for large RVs (reports of tight approaches and low-hanging branches).

    Campground Map

    Portage Bay State Forest Campground
    Driving directionsLocated 10 miles south of Garden via County Road 483 and Portage Bay Road.
    Access via County Road 483 and Portage Bay Road; remote approach includes long dirt/gravel roads.
    Nearby places
    Garden: approximately 10 miles

    Reviews from booking and map sources

    4.7
    47 reviews
    Top-Rated
    Top-Rated
    Portage Bay State Forest Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
    Reviewers consistently praise the campground's remote, peaceful lakeshore setting, exceptionally good waterfront sites, and well-maintained rustic facilities. Most reviews are highly positive (many 5★) with praise for views, solitude, and clean vault toilets and pump water.
    Review Summaries
    Based on 47 reviews

    What Campers Love

    Exceptional waterfront sites (many sites are on or a few steps from Lake Michigan), quiet and secluded atmosphere, spacious campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, generally clean vault toilets...
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    Based on 47 reviews

    Pro Tips & Recommendations

    Arrive prepared with supplies (drinking water containers, water shoes, bug spray, layers) and plan for first-come, first-serve camping. Bring a small boat/kayak to fully enjoy the bay; expect...
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    Based on 47 reviews

    Camper Quotes

    “Most serene campground in the state.”; “A true piece of heaven in the U.P.”; “No showers, but there is plenty of well water and outhouses.”; “You have to drive 7 miles down a dirt road, but once you...
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    Based on 47 reviews

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    Last updated December 13, 2025
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