Camping

Campers enjoying beautiful Twelvemile Beach Campground.

NPS photo

 

Drive-In Camping Within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

ALL DRIVE-IN CAMPSITES REQUIRE A RESERVATION.

In 2019, we changed to a reservation system for ALL drive-in campsites at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. All campsites (including wheelchair-accessible sites) now require a reservation throughout the year. There is no drop-in camping.

Camping fees are $20 per night during Peak season (May 1 through October 31).
Camping fees are $15 per night during Non-Peak season (November 1 through April 30).

Be aware that water systems throughout the park shut down at some point in October - be prepared to bring your own drinking water.

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.) Please read this page before making a reservation to get familiar with our campground options, rules, and regulations.

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. In the next window, scroll down to Reservations and click on Camping & Lodging.
5. In the next window, click on the campground you are interested in. View by Availability 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. Campground maps and Photo Gallery links are also available below.

Drinking water is not available during Non-Peak season and campground roads are not plowed for snow removal. Access to drive-in campgrounds in winter is generally by snowmobile. (Before winter camping, check with the visitor center for current conditions: 906-387-3700.)

(NOTE: For BACKCOUNTRY summer camping information, click here. For winter camping information, click here. For private and other nearby camping options, click here.)

CAMPGROUNDS
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has three rustic drive-in campgrounds: Little Beaver Lake (8 sites), Hurricane River (21 sites) and Twelvemile Beach (36 sites). Campgrounds do not have electric, water, or sewer hookups. Campsites provide a picnic table, fire ring with grill grate, and tent pad. The campgrounds have vault toilets and well water. The water is turned off in the campgrounds during the second half of October - although it could happen earlier some years; the date is dependent on the weather. Typically there is no cell phone reception.

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 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 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. Gather only down and dead 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.

 

Tent at campsite at Little Beaver Lake Campground

NPS photo

Little Beaver Lake Campground
This small campground (8 sites) is located 3 miles north of Alger County Road H-58 and 20 miles northeast of Munising on Little Beaver Lake. One campsite is wheelchair-accessible.

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.

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 area.

Little Beaver also features a 1.5 mile trail that leads to Lake Superior and connects with the North Country Scenic Trail.

Campground map and Campsite photo gallery

 

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 on the shores of Lake Superior. 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.

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.

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.

Campground map and Campsite photo gallery

 

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. 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 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.

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

Campground map and Campsite photo gallery

Other Nearby Drive-In Campgrounds and Camping Options

 

For more information

• Be Bear Aware
• Firewood and campfires
• Volunteer Campground Host
• Leave No Trace
• Pets at Pictured Rocks

 

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