State Forest · Michigan
Portage Bay State Forest Campground
State Forest · Michigan, United States
- Sites
- 22
- Hookups
- 22 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- $20 per night; a Recreation Passport is required on the vehicle
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- No
- Elevation
- 617 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- Verizon weak · T-Mobile none · AT&T none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Phone
- 906-644-2603
About
Nestled along northern Lake Michigan, this beautiful campground gives visitors an unplugged back-to-nature experience. Many of the rustic campsites sport spectacular views of Lake Michigan. The Ninga Aki Pathway provides visitors 2.7 miles of maintained hiking trail amidst a boreal forest ecosystem. There are 23 sites for tent and small trailer use.
The campground is located 10 miles south of Garden via County Road 483 and Portage Bay Road.
*Note there is a ramp, it is unimproved and limited to very small boat launches
22 rustic campsites, $20 a night. Open all year; the road may not be plowed in winter. First come, first served; register at the campground kiosk on the day you arrive. Vault toilets and a hand-pump well for drinking water; no electricity or hookups. One camping unit and six people per site, 15 nights at most. Managed from Fayette Historic State Park (906-644-2603).
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 18° | -3° | 38° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 28° | 19° | 0° | 42° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 34° | 26° | 9° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 38° | 33° | 20° | 49° | 6 of 11 |
| May | 48° | 43° | 35° | 55° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 59° | 53° | 45° | 67° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 68° | 63° | 57° | 78° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 71° | 65° | 59° | 77° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 66° | 61° | 49° | 71° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 54° | 48° | 35° | 64° | 0 of 10 |
| November | 41° | 36° | 20° | 53° | 5 of 10 |
| December | 33° | 27° | 6° | 51° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Fayette · Michigan State Parks · 7 mi
- Flowing Well Campground · USDA Forest Service · 17 mi · 6 sites
- Indian Lake – South Unit - Campground · Michigan State Parks · 18 mi
- Indian Lake – West Shore Campground · Michigan State Parks · 19 mi
- Manistique Lakeshore Campground · City, County & Regional Parks · 21 mi · 56 sites
All public campgrounds in Michigan · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-17. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.