2 Michigan campgrounds are among the hardest to book in the US

MUNISING, MI – Two Michigan campgrounds are among the hardest to book in the U.S.

According to The Dyrt, a camping resource with millions of user-generated reviews and photos, an estimated 84.8 million Americans left the city lights to sleep under the stars in 2023, making top campgrounds more in demand than in previous years.

“It’s great that more and more people are getting out there and enjoying the joys of camping,” says Sarah Smith, founder of The Dyrt. “But now more than ever, it’s important to really plan ahead and secure your campsite well in advance.”

“The Dyrt makes it easy to monitor availability and track cancellations in real time, so you can find a place to rest your head in some of the country’s most beautiful locations.”

The popularity of camping on National Park Service lands has skyrocketed, and Michigan’s most popular campgrounds are following the trend.

RELATED: Rustic location at the confluence of Lake Superior and the Michigan River – one of the best campgrounds in the Midwest

According to The Dyrt, Michigan’s two hard-to-book campgrounds are at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Grand Marais.

Twelvemile Beach Campsite is number 2 with 99.4% full and Hurricane River Campground is number 6 with 96.8% full.

The Dyrt points out that Michigan has nearly 3,300 miles of pristine coastline and that Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, with its 42 miles of shoreline, is considered by many to be the state’s crown jewel.

“Centrally located just a stone’s throw from a pristine sandy beach, Twelvemile’s well-maintained and easily accessible grounds provide easy access to the waters of Superior as well as attractions such as lighthouses, the surreal Chapel Rock and more,” noted The Dyrt. “With easy access to the charming Upper Peninsula towns of Grand Marais and Munising, Twelvemile Beach is the ideal location to experience all that the Pictured Rocks have to offer from a convenient vantage point.”

Users praised the 36-site campground’s scenery and easy access to the largest of the Great Lakes.

As for Hurricane River Campground, campers praised the sounds of the Hurricane River flowing into mighty Lake Superior, making it “the most peaceful camping destination on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.”

This rustic 21-site campground offers the chance to truly unwind. There’s also a short hike to the Au Sable Light Station, where you can marvel at the remains of shipwrecks from above.

“You won’t get bored as so many great attractions are so close – just a short hike or drive away. The wooded attractions give a sense of isolation,” wrote Dyrt user Sara S.

Pictured Rocks also has the Little Beaver Lake campground with eight sites.

Did you miss these places?

The best news is that these aren’t the only two great places to camp in the area. There are also private campgrounds in the Pictured Rocks area, including the Paddling Michigan sites, which provide a base for adventure

Here is the full list of the hardest campgrounds to book in the USA

1. Nevada Beach Campsite – Nevada
2. Twelvemile Beach Campsite
3. Devils Garden Campground – Utah
4. Seven Points Campground – Tennessee
5. Kirk Creek Campground – California
6. Hurricane River Campground
7. Aspenglen Campground – Colorado
8. Fruita Campground – Utah
9. Colter Bay RV Park – Wyoming
10. Twin Lakes Campground – California