A campground can make or break a trip. Dispersed camping is our preferred method of camping but we also have a few rustic campground favorites. Rustic campgrounds have no electricity, no showers, vault toilets, and sometimes water pumps. These are great opportunities if you want to enjoy nature without the modern conveniences and aren’t quiet ready to disperse camp.
12 Mile Beach Campground
Pictured Rocks National Lake Shore
Set up your tent on the sands of Lake Superior and take in the view. The is magnificent and there’s no doubt about it, you’ll see some of the finest sunsets in the park here.
After a long day of hiking, come back to camp to cook dinner and enjoy a beautiful sunset right from your beach side site.
Be warned though. it fills up fast during the summer months and it stays full.
*UPDATE 7/15/19 * Historically a first come, first serve campground, in 2019 due to the volume of people wanting to stay here, the campground will be available for reservations.
Amenities include vault toilets and bear proof trash bins. Keep in mind that because you are in bear country, coolers and other foods cannot be left outside unattended.
Big Eric’s Bridge State Forest Campground
21 miles Northeast of L’Anse
There will be Mosquitoes here. There will be black flies. It’s a wild, rustic campground well worth the biting insects.
This campground is literally in the middle of nowhere and directly on the Huron River, right next to Big Eric’s Falls. That sold it for me.
There are 20 sites available, first come, first serve. Amenities include a vault toilet and a water pump. It’s a great place to check out if you’re interested in hiking or fishing, don’t mind bugs, and love being in nature.
Round Lake State Forest Campground
Pigeon River State Forest, Vanderbilt, Michigan
When Steve and I got married, this is where we wanted to hold the wedding. Unfortunately, the DNR wouldn’t allow that, but it still remains one of our favorite rustic campgrounds in lower Michigan.
When by ourselves, we like to disperse camp but when we bring other’s to show off the beauty of the forest, there’s no better campground to stay at.
Amenities include a vault toilet and water pump.