Wilderness State Park Campground

Closed — Modern campgrounds close for the season in mid-October. Rustic cabins, backcountry campsites, and some facilities remain available for winter camping year-round. Reservations accepted via Michigan DNR reservation system.

About

Wilderness State Park Campground is the largest state park in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, offering diverse camping experiences across 26 miles of pristine Lake Michigan shoreline. The park features five modern campgrounds with electrical hookups: East Lakeshore (65 sites), West Lakeshore (71 sites with stunning lake views), Pines Loop (99 sites), and Full Hook-up campground. Modern campgrounds offer 20/30-amp service with select sites providing 50-amp, plus accessible toilet and shower buildings operating mid-May through mid-October. For those seeking a more primitive experience, the park offers 25 rustic walk-in tent sites requiring a short 15-150 yard walk from parking, two backcountry campsites along the North Country Trail with composting toilets and bear poles, and seven historic CCC-era log cabins available year-round. The cabins sleep 4-8 people and include wood stoves with provided kiln-dried firewood for winter heating. The park is a designated dark sky preserve located just 9 miles from Headlands Dark Sky Park, offering exceptional stargazing. The terrain features dense coniferous and mature hardwood forests, wetlands, small ponds, and meadows with spring wildflowers. Recreation includes 20-plus miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails, paddling in Big Stone Bay, fishing for smallmouth bass, and swimming at buoyed areas. Pet-friendly beaches are available year-round in designated areas.

Directions

Located 11 miles west of Mackinaw City at 903 Wilderness Park Drive, Carp Lake, Michigan 49718. Access via County Road 81 (Wilderness Park Drive).

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