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

Lowney Creek Individual Backpacking Sites

Open — Open year-round for backcountry camping with required permits. Reservations available through Recreation.gov on a 6-month rolling window. Permits cost $5 per person per night plus a $15 non-refundable reservation fee. Limited to 14 days camping per calendar year within the lakeshore.

About

Lowney Creek Individual Backpacking Sites is a remote backcountry campground located within Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the Beaver Basin Wilderness. The campground features four individual sites positioned in a meadow with scattered large trees along the south shore of Beaver Lake, with Lowney Creek running along the east side. Access is exclusively by hiking or paddling, requiring a 1.5-mile journey from Little Beaver Lake Campground. The site is three miles inland from Lake Superior. This primitive campground offers one shared fire ring for all sites but notably has no toilet facilities. Water sources include Lowney Creek and Beaver Lake, though water is non-potable and must be treated. Seasonal food storage lockers are provided to protect against wildlife. Campers must pack out all trash. The campground can also be accessed by water via Little Beaver Lake and Beaver Lake, making it accessible to paddlers. Lowney Creek is part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore's extensive backcountry camping system, which features 14 designated campgrounds spread along nearly 100 miles of trails. The wilderness setting provides opportunities for solitude and immersion in northern hardwood forests, with access to Lake Superior's pristine shoreline. Winter camping is permitted at this site year-round with proper backcountry permits, though deep snow and challenging conditions require advanced preparation and winter camping experience.

Directions

Accessible only by hiking or paddling. Located 1.5 miles from Little Beaver Lake Campground and three miles inland from Lake Superior within Beaver Basin Wilderness. Water access via Little Beaver Lake then Beaver Lake. Campers should download the Backcountry Camping Planner from the NPS website for detailed trail maps and access information.

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