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

Lowney Creek Group Backpacking Site

Open — Open year-round for backcountry camping by reservation only through Recreation.gov. Winter access requires snowshoeing or skiing as park roads are snow-covered and not plowed. Reservations available on a 6-month rolling window.

About

Lowney Creek Group Backpacking Site is a remote primitive campground situated within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's Beaver Basin Wilderness. Located approximately one mile from Little Beaver Lake Campground and 2.5 miles inland from Lake Superior, this group site accommodates parties of 7-20 people with up to 10 tents maximum. The campground sits along the North Country National Scenic Trail, accessible via trails that follow the scenic Beaver Lake shoreline. As a backcountry wilderness site, facilities are extremely primitive. The campground provides one shared fire ring and food storage boxes to protect against wildlife, but does not have toilet facilities. Campers must practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash. Water must be sourced from Beaver Lake and properly treated before consumption. The site can also be accessed via water through Little Beaver Lake then Beaver Lake, though hiking is the primary access method. This is true wilderness camping in one of Michigan's most pristine landscapes. The Beaver Basin Wilderness offers solitude and a chance to experience the deep forests and inland lakes that characterize the interior of Pictured Rocks. Winter camping is permitted, with access via snowshoe or ski, though locating the site in deep snow may require GPS navigation. Reservations are required year-round through Recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling window.

Directions

Access is by hiking only via trails along the Beaver Lake shoreline. The site is located one mile from Little Beaver Lake Campground, 2.5 miles inland from Lake Superior. Parking at designated trailheads requires a park entrance fee or National Park Pass. In winter, snowmobiles can access main parking lots and trailheads, then campers must snowshoe or ski to the site. Most park roads are snow-covered December through March and not plowed.

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