How much does camping cost at Burned Dam Campground?

Camping fees at Burned Dam Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Burned Dam Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Burned Dam Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground is first-come, first-served due to its dispersed nature.

Can I see photos of campsites at Burned Dam Campground before I book?

Yes! Burned Dam Campground has 20 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 Burned Dam Campground?

Burned Dam Campground is open Developed dispersed recreation site is open until snow closes access. Camping stay limits apply. January 1 - December 31 24 hours/ day. 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 Burned Dam Campground?

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

Can I have a campfire at Burned Dam Campground?

Fire policies at Burned Dam Campground: Visitors are allowed to have campfires, with no specific restrictions mentioned.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Burned Dam Campground?

Cell phone service at Burned Dam Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Burned Dam Campground have?

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

Are dogs allowed at Burned Dam Campground?

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

What amenities are available at Burned Dam Campground?

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

Burned Dam Campground

4.09

33 reviews

Forest Road 4500, Ottawa National Forest, Burned Dam Campground, MI

Top 25% in MIFall

Featured in:Family-Friendly Campgrounds Michigan

Quick Facts

1,591 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Developed dispersed ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

1,591 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Developed dispersed ...

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Burned Dam Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

No charge for use of this campground due to limited services provided. Visitors are advised to pack in and pack out.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

906-358-4551

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

Forest Road 4500, Ottawa National Forest, Burned Dam Campground, MI

Burned Dam Campground

Forest Road 4500, Ottawa National Forest, Burned Dam Campground, MI

Nearby places

Watersmeet (8 miles, approximately 15 minutes), Bruce Crossing (26 miles, approximately 40 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Groceries, fuel, and camping supplies can be found in Watersmeet, MI, approximately 8 miles away.

Driving directionsFrom Watersmeet, Mi., take US 45 north approximately 1 mile from intersection with US 2, turn right (east) on Old US 2 and travel approximately 7 miles east, turn left onto FR 4500 and travel approximately 1 mile to the campground. From Bruce Crossing, Mi., take US 45 south approximately 18 miles, turn left (east) onto Old US 2 and travel approximately 7 miles, turn left onto FR 4500 and travel approximately 1 mile to the campground.

The campground is accessible via unpaved forest roads. Seasonal closures may occur due to snow, as mentioned in the general information.

Weather at Burned Dam Campground

Best Time to Camp at Burned Dam Campground

Fall offers the clearest benefit: crisp days, dramatically colorful hardwoods, and far fewer biting insects, making riverside hikes and views of Mex-i-mine Falls especially rewarding. Daytime temperatures typically range from about 45–60°F in September to 30–50°F in October, with chilly nights dipping near freezing by mid-October. These conditions are ideal for photography, hiking, and quiet fishing. Crowds are usually light compared with summer. Summer brings warmth perfect for paddling and fishing, but mosquitoes are a persistent nuisance. Multiple reviewers emphasized bringing bug spray. Spring delivers rushing water and awakening wildlife. Winter blankets the landscape in snow, with temperatures plunging well below freezing.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 25% in MI

Fall brings crisp days, dramatic hardwood colors and far fewer biting insects—highly recommended.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Developed dispersed recreation site is open until snow closes access. Camping stay limits apply. January 1 - December 31 24 hours/ day

About Burned Dam Campground

Burned Dam Campground sits deep in the Ottawa National Forest near Watersmeet, offering five primitive, tent-only sites along the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River. This is rustic camping at 1,591 feet elevation: vault toilets, bear lockers, fire rings, and essentially no cell service. The sites are nicely spaced for privacy but small, unsuitable for campers or larger vehicles. Reviewers call it 'an amazing little gem' for its proximity to Mex-i-mine Falls and secluded fishing access, though summer mosquitoes and poison ivy require preparation.

Burned Dam Campground is a dispersed and rustic camping area featuring primitive amenities. Accommodations include basic tent sites.

Historical Significance

These woods echo with Michigan's logging era, when lumberjacks guided massive log drives down the Ontonagon River to sawmills downstream. The campground and nearby Mex-i-mine Falls stand near routes carved by generations of timber workers whose sweat and determination helped build Upper Peninsula communities.

Weather and SeasonsFall offers the clearest benefit: crisp days, dramatically colorful hardwoods, and far fewer biting insects, making riverside hikes and views of Mex-i-mine Falls especially rewarding. Daytime temperatures typically range from about 45–60°F in September to 30–50°F in October, with chilly nights dipping near freezing by mid-October. These conditions are ideal for photography, hiking, and quiet fishing. Crowds are usually light compared with summer. Summer brings warmth perfect for paddling and fishing, but mosquitoes are a persistent nuisance. Multiple reviewers emphasized bringing bug spray. Spring delivers rushing water and awakening wildlife. Winter blankets the landscape in snow, with temperatures plunging well below freezing.

ElevationNestled at the comfortable elevation characteristic of the Ottawa National Forest, the campground occupies gently rolling terrain that typifies this ancient landscape. The moderate forest floor creates an ideal setting for both leisurely strolls and more ambitious hikes, with just enough topographical variety to keep things interesting without being overly challenging. This forested plateau provides excellent drainage for camping while offering strategic vantage points to survey the surrounding wilderness.

Natural Features and SceneryThe Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River defines this campground, winding through dense forest before tumbling over Mex-i-mine Falls nearby. Towering pines and hardwoods create thick canopy cover, filtering sunlight onto a forest floor dotted with moss-covered logs, ferns, and abundant berry bushes. Blackberries and blueberries that also attract black bears. The river's dark waters offer fishing and paddling access through remarkably quiet terrain. Birdsong from warblers, woodpeckers, and raptors fills mornings. The remote location delivers genuine solitude, though be cautious of poison ivy along trails and riverbanks.

Geological RegionBurned Dam Campground sits within the vast ecological tapestry of the Ottawa National Forest, where ancient geological forces have created a landscape of remarkable diversity. The Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River has carved its course through this terrain over millennia, creating the dramatic features visitors enjoy today. This rich ecological habitat supports an intricate web of plant and animal life, from the smallest woodland wildflowers to the magnificent old-growth trees that have stood sentinel for centuries. The interplay between water, forest, and stone creates microenvironments that harbor surprising biodiversity, making every exploration a potential discovery.

Scenic ViewsCampers can enjoy views of the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River and Mex-i-mine Falls, described as more of a rapids than a traditional waterfall. Trails offer scenic views of the surrounding dense forest.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

24 hours/day

Check-out

24 hours/day

Stay Limit

Maximum stay limit of 14 days.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe five sites spread out along a single access area with decent spacing for privacy. Each includes a pole with hooks for hanging food bags as bear safety. Sites are small and suited only for tents. One reviewer noted you 'wouldn't be able to fit a camper anywhere.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground is first-come, first-served due to its dispersed nature.

AccessibilityMex-i-mine Falls is described as 'very accessible with a good trail' from the campground to the falls.

Site SizeSites are generally small, with limited space for larger vehicles like campers. One reviewer noted, 'All small, wouldn't be able to fit a camper anywhere.

PrivacySites are nicely spaced apart, providing a reasonable level of privacy.

Total Campsites5 campsites

Recommended SitesSites are small and best suited for tents; campers and large RVs are not recommended. Bring bug spray for mosquitoes.

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site. Restrooms Pit

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Burned Dam Campground offers activities including fishing, canoeing, hiking, and scenic waterfall viewing. The proximity to Mex-i-mine Falls and the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River makes this a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear activity is noted, with signs posted about food storage safety. Poison ivy and mosquitoes are prevalent during warmer months.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Food Storage RequiredFood storage hooks are available at each campsite to protect food from bears.

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.

Fire PolicyVisitors are allowed to have campfires, with no specific restrictions mentioned.

Emergency ServicesNearest emergency services are available in Watersmeet, MI, including the Watersmeet/Iron River Ranger District. Contact: 906-358-4551 during operational hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT).

Trash & RecyclingThere are no official trash or recycling facilities. Campers must pack in and pack out their trash.

Water FeaturesThe campground is adjacent to the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River and is a short walk from Mex-i-mine Falls.

Cell CoverageCell phone service is very limited. One reviewer noted, 'REMOTE . NO PHONE SERVICE. (Improvement in phone service! I'm getting 1 bar. Messages going thru. WOW!!)'

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

4.1

33 reviews

Satisfactory

Burned Dam Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Burned Dam Campground receives mixed reviews, with many praising its secluded, rustic charm and proximity to Mex-i-mine Falls. However, some users noted challenges such as mosquitoes, poison ivy, lack of water, and limited amenities.

Review Summaries

Based on 33 reviews

What Campers Love

Users appreciate the peacefulness, scenic waterfall, and opportunities for fishing and hiking. One user called it 'an amazing little gem.' Another user stated, 'Great little campground in the Ottawa...

Based on 33 reviews

Common Concerns

Negative feedback includes issues with insects such as mosquitoes and poison ivy, limited phone service, and the primitive nature of the facilities. One user stated, 'Too primitive for this city...

Based on 33 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The campground features five small sites that are well-spaced for privacy. One user noted, 'No power or water, but there is 2 outhouses. Only 5 campsites which was nice.'

Based on 33 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend bringing bug spray for the mosquitoes and being cautious of poison ivy. It is also advised to bring all necessities, as there are no amenities like water or a camp store.

Based on 33 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Mosquitoes seem to be prevalent in the summer months, while snow may limit accessibility in the winter. Spring offers opportunities to see rare plants while camping remains quieter.

Based on 33 reviews

Camper Quotes

'Mex-i-mine Falls is just steps away from the camping area.' - Nycki Reynolds. 'The sites are nicely spaced, not the biggest sites but big enough.' - Sayer Dolata. 'Nice sites, loud water.' - Michael...

Based on 33 reviews

Accessibility Features

Mex-i-mine Falls are described as very accessible, and trails are short and easy to navigate.

Based on 33 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Fall trout anglers and paddlers who pack in everything they need. Brook, rainbow, and brown trout are all in the river, the hardwoods peak in October, the bugs thin out, and five well-spaced sites rarely fill. Bring all water from Watersmeet, 8 miles out.

Skip if

Summer visits without serious bug gear tend to go poorly. Mosquitoes are relentless June through August, poison ivy lines the trails and riverbanks, and there's no potable water or cell service to fall back on. RVs and campers won't fit any site.

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