Bay View
Located just off the Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Bay View Campground provides a rustic opportunity to camp along the shores of Lake Superior. The campground is a perfect stop amidst many recreational opportunities available in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Visitors also enjoy exploring the Whitefish Bay National Scenic Byway all the way to the beautiful Tahquamenon Falls.
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 | 23 |
| Walk-in | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 50 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
24 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 02 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 03 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 04 | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 05 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 06 | Standard | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 07 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 08 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 09 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes |
| 10 | Standard | Back-in | 20 | 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 | 50 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Fees | Check-in time is anytime after 2 p.m. Early arrivals will be charged for the previous day. |
The rustic campground offers multiple single-family campsites for tent and RV camping. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire rings with grills. Vault toilets and hand-pumped drinking water are available at several locations within the campground. Most of the sites are heavily shaded. A campground host lives at the campground and can be available to answer any questions.
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 23 to September 14 |
| Forest | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Booking | You can reserve some camping sites for Bay View Campground on he National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS).To check availability or to make a reservation go to: Recreation.gov. Call 877-444-6777. |
| Fees | Site Fee $22, walk in $20 - Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
19456 W Lakeshore Drive, Brimley MI 49715. From Brimley, Michigan, travel west on County Road 42/Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway for approximately 8 miles. Bay View is on the north side of the road.
| Nearest town | St. Ignace, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.4600° N, 84.7794° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
Please cancel 7 days in advance if you need to cancel your reservation. Reserve sites cannot be transferred to walk up sites.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 11 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Bird's Eye Outfitters ↗ | 20.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Bay View: Michigan National Forest Campground Overview
Trails nearby
- 4.3 miWaboose Ski1.8 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
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
Delirium Wilderness begins about 9.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 9.1 miDelirium Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 11,951 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is located in Lake Superior's famous Whitefish Bay, the site of numerous historically preserved shipwrecks and lighthouse stations. The area is also a natural corridor for migratory birds.
Recreation
Miles of sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets stretch across Lake Superior, the greatest single body of fresh water in the world. Birding and sightseeing are popular pastimes, and visitors enjoy long walks along Superior's beaches.
Nearby
Tahquamenon Falls, a series of beautifully brown-colored waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River, are located just 30 miles away. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and Whitefish Point Lighthouse are 39 miles to the north and west while the Point Iroquois Lighthouse lies about 8 miles east.
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 View?
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 View?
Check-in time is anytime after 2 p.m. Early arrivals will be charged for the previous day.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bay View?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Bay View open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 23 to September 14.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Bay View have?
24 sites, including 23 standard sites without power and 1 walk-in site.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bay View?
The longest site here provides 50 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 View?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bay View. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Bay View?
Miles of sandy beaches and beautiful sunsets stretch across Lake Superior, the greatest single body of fresh water in the world. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bay View?
St. Ignace, Michigan. Tahquamenon Falls, a series of beautifully brown-colored waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River, are located just 30 miles away.
Source: Getting there
What if Bay View is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Monocle Lake (6.7 mi, partly first-come), Soldier Lake (8.7 mi, partly first-come), and Three Lakes (13.6 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby