Black River Harbor Campground

Black River Harbor Campground is a public, single-loop campground located by Lake Superior within the Ottawa National Forest in Bessemer, Michigan. The campground is tucked away on a forested hill and close to the Black River Harbor Recreation Area. It is not only a pawpular location for camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing, but it is also known for its scenic trails, stunning waterfalls, and sandy beaches that you can enjoy with your four-legged buddy. The peaceful and pet-friendly campground offers 40 sites that accommodate RV, camper, and tent camping. 

Black River Harbor Campground overlooks the 31,700-square-mile Lake Superior. In addition to the incredible lakeside views, the campground offers a pawfect location for fishing and boating enthusiasts, especially since there is a boat ramp, a pump-out service, and gasoline available on-site. If your dogs enjoy sticking their heads out of car windows, wait until you see their tails wagging away on a boat ride! Campers can cross the river via the suspension bridge that leads to a sandy beach where they can relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Tons of forested hiking trails surround the campground, some of which lead to must-see viewpoints and waterfalls. This includes the North Country Trail that runs between the Great Conglomerate Falls and Rainbow Falls. Although there are several waterfalls in the area, the most popular ones are Gorge Falls and Rainbow Falls, followed by Sandstone Falls, Potawatomi Falls, and the Great Conglomerate Falls.

Tall pine, hardwood, and hemlock trees, and lush bushes grow throughout the camp’s grounds and provide plenty of privacy and shade for patrons to cool off in. The campsites are spacious and well spaced out from each other. Amenities include a large pavilion and restroom with a flushing toilet, a day use area with a vault toilet, a harbor with a small store, and a common picnic area. There is also an RV dump station and ten water spigots scattered throughout the campground. Out of the 40 available sites, five are near the lakeshore, and 23 can be reserved in advance. The campsites start at $16 per night and come with fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables, and plenty of grassy space for dogs to roll around in. 

If you end up visiting, make sure to check out the Copper Peak Ski-Flying Hill, the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park -- and don't fur-get to take tons of photos to share with family and friends!