Bay Furnace Campground
Bay Furnace Campground is located on the south shores of Lake Superior, near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Favorite to many, the campground is centered to various waterfalls, as well as other sightseeing attractions, including boat tours and visits to Grand Island.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Michigan · reservable in Michigan · big rigs in Michigan · pets allowed in Michigan
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 49 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
49 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 006 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | 8 / 1 | Yes | |
| 009 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 011 | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 65 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers multiple reservable single sites for tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. A day-use picnic area is also available at the campground, located near the lake shore. Multiple tables, drinking water and accessible vault toilets are included.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Season | May 9 to October 8 |
| Forest | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Booking | Some of the sites at Bay Furnace are reservable. |
| Fees | Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. Dump station Fee $5.00 |
Weather by month
Getting there
Bay Furnace Campground is located in Alger County, about 3 miles west of Munising on Highway 28, at the village of Christmas, across from the Kewadin Casino.
| Nearest town | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.4383° N, 86.7083° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireRidge
45 mi from the campground · 466 acres · 30% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 48.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Bay Furnace Campground - Hiawatha National Forest, MI
Worth a stop
Boat ramps are available in Munising, less than 5 miles from the campground, or at AuTrain, which is about 10 miles away.
- 4.1 miMunising Falls Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
- 8.4 miMiners Castle Visitor Contact Station ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 2 miGrand Island Bike ↗20.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.4 miCoalwood Grade ATV ↗17.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.5 miGrand Island Thumb Hiking Trl2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.6 miChristmas Snomo1.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 3.8 miThunder Cove Grand Island0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4 miParadise0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Hiawatha National Forest.
- inHiawatha National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,300,321 acres
- 10.8 miRock River Canyon Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 4,724 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Bay FurnaceStructure · Christmas · 0.2 mi
- Grand Island Harbor Rear Range LightStructure · Christmas · 0.8 mi
- Lobb HouseBuilding · Munising · 3.1 mi
Natural features
Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of Lake Superior, with its spectacular sunrises, sunsets and occasional northern lights displays. Amid forests of deciduous trees, some sites overlook the lake while others are near Furnace Creek.
Recreation
Fishing in Lake Superior is best by boat. There is no access to the lake at Bay Furnace, but there is a boat ramp approximately 10 miles west, at AuTrain, and in Munising. Anglers can enjoy a variety of lake trout and salmon fishing. Visitors can access the popular Grand Island via a 10-minute ferry ride or by private boat. This scenic island is a favorite for hiking, mountain biking and exploring. Various boat excursions are offered near the campground at an additional cost, providing a great way to explore the crystal clear blue-green waters of Lake Superior and view the stunning natural rock formations.
Guidebooks for Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Field Guide Hiawatha National Forest Ecological Classification SystemGreg Kudray, 2019Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Bay Furnace Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Bay Furnace Campground?
Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. Dump station Fee $5.00
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bay Furnace Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Bay Furnace Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 9 to October 8.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Bay Furnace Campground have?
49 sites, including 49 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bay Furnace Campground?
The longest site here provides 65 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Bay Furnace Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bay Furnace Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bay Furnace Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
Is there cell service at Bay Furnace Campground?
FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Bay Furnace Campground?
Fishing in Lake Superior is best by boat. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bay Furnace Campground?
Munising, Michigan. Boat ramps are available in Munising, less than 5 miles from the campground, or at AuTrain, which is about 10 miles away.
Source: Getting there
What if Bay Furnace Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Grand Island National Recreation Area (2.1 mi), Au Train Lake Campground (7 mi, partly first-come), and Hovey Lake Campsites (10.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby