Michigan / Alger County / Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Federal Unit) / Beaver Basin Wilderness

Coves Individual Backpacking Sites

Open — Open year-round with required permits available through Recreation.gov on a six-month rolling window. Winter access via hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing only. Vault toilets and food storage lockers are seasonal.

About

Coves Individual Backpacking Sites is a primitive backcountry campground located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Michigan's rugged Lake Superior shoreline. Hidden behind pine trees and ferns, the campground sits inland from the North Country Trail with two entry points leading through the forest to five individual campsites. Each site accommodates 1-6 people with a maximum of two tents or hammocks per site. The campground features two designated metal communal fire rings for shared use among campers. The campground provides basic amenities including seasonal food storage lockers to protect from wildlife, a shared seasonal vault toilet, and access to non-potable water from Lake Superior. Campers must treat all water before consumption. Lake Superior and beach access is available from the bluff along the North Country Trail, making this site particularly appealing to sea kayakers who can paddle to the area. Backcountry camping permits are required year-round and can be reserved through Recreation.gov on a six-month rolling window. Permits cost $5 per person per night plus a non-refundable $15 reservation fee. Winter camping is permitted and offers extraordinary solitude, though access requires hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing through potentially deep snow. All trash must be packed out, and campers must adhere to Leave No Trace principles. The park entrance fee is separate from camping fees.

Directions

The Coves Campground is located along the North Country Trail within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Access is by hiking or kayaking only. The campground is inland from the trail with two entry points through the forest. Parking for multi-day trips is available at designated trailhead parking areas along Alger County Road H-58, which runs parallel to and through the park. Note that most park roads are not plowed in winter.

Nearby Campgrounds