Widewaters Campground
Widewaters Campground is remotely located on Michigan's upper peninsula in the Hiawatha National Forest. It sits on a stretch of heavily forested land between Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, near a series of smaller lakes and the Indian River, making it an ideal getaway for anglers and explorers alike.
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 | 32 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 58 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
32 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 03 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 04 | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 05 | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 06 | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 09 | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime | |
| 10 | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 11 | Back-in | 28 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
| 12 | Back-in | 33 | Gravel | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 13 | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | Full | Riverfront | 8 / 1 | Yes | Prime |
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 | 58 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
The campground offers multiple well-spaced single-family sites, available for tent and RV camping. Sites vary from being heavily wooded and private, to open with little privacy. A few waterfront sites have access to the river. Some additional sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings and some have access to grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Boat ramps are available at the campground and also at Fish Lake.
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 15 to September 15 |
| Forest | Hiawatha National Forest |
| Booking | Some of the sites at Wide Waters are reservable. |
| Fees | Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22 Double Family, 2 camp units, per night $44 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Munising, Michigan, go east on Michigan Highway 28 for about 3 miles. Turn south on Forest Highway 13 at Wetmore and continue for 12 miles. Turn west onto Forest Road 2262 and follow for about a mile to the campground entrance.
| Nearest town | Munising, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46.2194° N, 86.6283° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 15.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hilltop RV Superstore ↗ | 37.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Widewaters Campground, MI from Art S.
Worth a stop
- 14.1 miMunising Falls Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.7 miMcKeever Hills Ski ↗6.6 mi trail · snowshoe, ski
- 1.3 miBrunos Run ↗12.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.5 miIndian River Canoe Route ↗41.8 mi trail · paddle
- 3.2 miPine Marten Run ↗25.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.8 miBig Island Lake Portal0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 4.4 miCamel Riders2.5 mi trail · snowmobile, 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
This campground sits inside Hiawatha National Forest.
- inHiawatha National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,300,321 acres
- 4.1 miBig Island Lake Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,268 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
- Lobb HouseBuilding · Munising · 13.3 mi
- Schoolcraft Furnace SiteSite · Munising · 14.1 mi
Natural features
Widewaters is in a beautiful forest of mature hardwoods, sandwiched between Irwin Lake and Indian River.
Recreation
This small, quiet campground is perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Anglers enjoy catching brook trout in the area. The 9-mile Bruno's Run Trail, which winds its way past a host of small lakes in the area, passes directly through the campground and is a popular trail for hiking and biking, as well as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter.
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 Widewaters 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 Widewaters Campground?
Standard Non Electric Site Fee $22 Double Family, 2 camp units, per night $44 Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Widewaters Campground?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Widewaters Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to September 15.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Widewaters Campground have?
32 sites, including 32 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Widewaters Campground?
The longest site here provides 58 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 Widewaters Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Widewaters Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Widewaters Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Widewaters 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 Widewaters Campground?
This small, quiet campground is perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Widewaters Campground?
Munising, Michigan.
Source: Getting there
What if Widewaters Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Pete's Lake Campground (1.6 mi, partly first-come), Council Lake Campsites (1.8 mi), and Ewing Point Campsite (1.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby