Drive-In Camping

Campers enjoying beautiful Twelvemile Beach Campground.

NPS photo

 

Drive-In Camping Within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

All campsites, including wheelchair-accessible sites, require a reservation (see reservation information below). There is no drop-in camping. Camping fees are $25 per night per campsite.

Campgrounds are open from May 15 through October 15. They are closed the rest of the year. Water systems and toilets throughout the park shut down on October 15. For private and other nearby camping options, click here.

Camping anywhere outside designated campgrounds is not allowed. Overnight camping (or sleeping in vehicles) in parking lots is prohibited.

CAMPGROUND INFORMATION

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has three rustic drive-in campgrounds: Little Beaver Lake (8 sites), Twelvemile Beach (36 sites), and Hurricane River (21 sites). Campsites have a picnic table, fire ring with grill grate, and tent pad. The campgrounds have vault toilets and well water. Typically there is no cell phone reception. Campgrounds do not have electric, water, or sewer hookups.

Campground Rules and Regulations

• Checkout time is 11:00 am.

• No more than eight people are allowed per site.

• No more than two vehicles per site, including towed vehicles. Vehicles and trailers must stay on the delineated campsite parking area. Any extra vehicles will have to park elsewhere in parking lots.

• Two tents are allowed per site, or two sleeping hammocks (or one of each). One tent must be on the tent pad, and the other must be within 6 feet of the pad. Any hammocks must be within 10 feet of the tent pad. No overflow camping allowed. No beach camping allowed.

• Only one screened porch/tent may be placed over the picnic table per site. A screened tent does not count towards the two tents per site limit.

• Pets are NOT allowed at Little Beaver Lake Campground. At the other two drive-in campgrounds, pets must be on a leash (six feet or less) at all times. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and dispose of waste in a trash receptacle. Owners must not allow a pet to make noise that is unreasonable.

• Campground quiet hours are 8 pm to 8 am. There are generator-free areas at Twelvemile Beach and Hurricane River Campgrounds. Music must be for private listening only.

• Campfires are permitted in fire rings only. Fires or hot coals cannot be left unattended. Purchase wood locally. No collecting of wood. No cutting of standing trees or limbs. Ash firewood is prohibited. Beach fires are not allowed.

• This is bear country! All food items, beverages, cooking equipment, food storage containers and pet food must be kept sealed in a hard-sided vehicle when not in immediate use (day or night). Those camping without a hard-sided vehicle must use the park-provided metal boxes for food storage. Violations of food storage rules may result in fines.

• Garbage must be placed in bear-proof trash cans. Dispose of any dish or waste water in the toilet.

• Feeding wildlife is prohibited.

• Use vault toilets or toilet in your camper/RV. No dumping of human waste in trash or on the ground.

 

Tent at campsite at Little Beaver Lake Campground

NPS photo

Little Beaver Lake Campground

This small campground (8 sites) is located at the end of Little Beaver Lake Road, 3 miles north of Alger County Road H-58 and 20 miles northeast of Munising. All sites are on or near Little Beaver Lake. One campsite is wheelchair-accessible.

Campground map and Campsite photo gallery

Single unit vehicles in excess of 36 feet and vehicle/trailer combined units in excess of 42 feet are prohibited at Little Beaver because of the small campsites and the narrow, twisting, hilly access road.

New in 2023: Pets are prohibited at this campground, since it is adjacent to the Beaver Basin Wilderness area. Pets are not allowed on any trails leading from the campground or any trails within the wilderness zone.

A small boat ramp is available for launching boats. Only electric motors are permitted on Little Beaver Lake and Beaver Lake as these lakes are within the Beaver Basin Wilderness. The campground also features a 1.5 mile trail that leads to Lake Superior and connects with the North Country Scenic Trail.

 

Tents at Twelvemile Beach Campground

NPS photo

Twelvemile Beach Campground

This campground is located 15 miles west of Grand Marais off Alger County Road H-58 (34 miles east of Munising). The campground's 36 sites are located on a high sandy plateau above Twelvemile Beach on Lake Superior; the most popular sites have a lake view. There are two wheelchair-accessible campsites. Generator use is prohibited in the campground's west loop.

Campground map and Campsite photo gallery

Because the turning radius is limited within this campground, we recommend single vehicles no more than 36 feet and vehicle/trailer combined length no more than 42 feet.

There are three sets of stairs to the beach as well as a day-use picnic area and parking. The two-mile White Birch Nature Trail begins and ends at the campground. The North Country Scenic Trail treks through the campground. The entrance road winds through a picturesque stand of white birch.

 

Hurricane River Campground

NPS photo

Hurricane River Campground

This 21-site campground is located 12 miles west of Grand Marais on County Road H-58 (37 miles east of Munising) on the shores of Lake Superior. Eleven campsites are available in the lower campground loop, and ten in the upper loop. Both loops include one wheelchair-accessible campsite. Several campsites are designated as generator-free.

Campground map and Campsite photo gallery

Because the turning radius is limited within this campground, we recommend single vehicles no more than 36 feet and vehicle/trailer combined length no more than 42 feet.

The Hurricane River flows into Lake Superior near the picnic area. A level 1.5 mile walk on the North Country Trail east from the lower campground leads past shipwreck remnants to the historic Au Sable Light Station.

 

RESERVATIONS

Drive-in camping reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. To make a reservation go to www.recreation.gov (or call 1-877-444-6777. International callers: 1-518-885-3635.). Two campsites in each drive-in campground will be held for last minute reservations (two weeks in advance).

Helpful hints to find the park's campsites on recreation.gov:
1. Once on www.recreation.gov, log into an existing account or sign up for a free new account.
2. Type Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the search window.
3. Click on the first search result: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
4. Scroll down and click on Camping & Day Use.
5. Click on the campground you are interested in. The Availability Grid will open a calendar showing the status of each site. Follow the prompts from there.

Online information includes campsite parking length, location, pictures, which sites are wheelchair-accessible, and other details.

 

For more information

• Other Nearby Drive-In Campgrounds and Camping Options
• Backcountry Camping at Pictured Rocks
• Be Bear Aware
• Firewood and campfires
• Volunteer Campground Host
• Leave No Trace
• Pets at Pictured Rocks