Can you reserve a site at Carp River Campground?

Yes, Carp River Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Carp River Campground?

45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Carp River Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Carp River Campground.

Carp River Campground, Michigan — 20 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Nestled in a quiet, rustic setting adjacent to the Carp Wild and Scenic River, Carp River Campground is an ideal place to get away and enjoy the outdoors.

The surrounding Hiawatha National Forest provides visitors with countless recreational activities, and the scenery provides a beautiful backdrop for a traditional camping experience.

Recreation

Divided into two major blocks of land and five districts, the forest is home to Grand Island National Recreation Area, Whitefish Scenic Byway, six lighthouses, five Wildernesses and Clear Lake Education Center. In addition to recreation opportunities, visitors will find a wide array of habitats, including trees like northern hardwoods, jackpine and other conifers, and a variety of inland wetland habitats.

Fishing is a popular activity in the campground area, and brook, brown and rainbow trout can all be spotted in the Carp River.

In addition to the fishing opportunities, hiking canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing and more are all available at or around the Carp River Campground.

Facilities

All campsites are wooded and shaded from the hot summer sun. Each site has a table and a fire ring, and drinking water and vault toilets are conveniently spaced throughout the campground.

Natural Features

Located in Michigan's wild and scenic Upper Peninsula, the Hiawatha National Forest is known as "the Great Lakes National Forest." The forest's dramatic shorelines lie nestled up to Lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan.

Outstanding lakeshores, lighthouses, islands and historic sites create a playground and place of respite, all within a day's drive from major urban and rural areas of Michigan and Wisconsin.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (906) 767-1111.

Nearby Attractions

Carp River Campground is located just eight miles from St. Ignace, which is known for its fine restaurants, museums and historic sites.

Charges & Cancellations

Please cancel seven days in advance if you need to cancel your reservation. Reservation sites cannot be traded for walk up sites.

The facts

Season: First come, first serve, May 17; Reservations open May 23 – September 14 — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
20 bookable sites
Vehicles up to 45 ft
Up to 8 people per site
Loops: CARP RIVER

Site types

20 Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

20 campsites at Carp River Campground

Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
002	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
003	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
004	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	8	🐾
005	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
006	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
007	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
008	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	8	🐾
009	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
010	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	25 ft	8	🐾
011	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	30 ft	8	🐾
012	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
013	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
014	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
015	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
016	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
017	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	30 ft	8	🐾
018	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾
019	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Pull Through	Gravel	25 ft	8	🐾
020	CARP RIVER	Standard Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	8	🐾

Getting there

4664 Mackinac Trail, St Ignace Michigan 49781

From the intersection of US-2 and I-75, drive north on I-75 to exit 352. Turn right on County Road 123, then turn left on Mackinac Trail/Highway 63. Drive north approximately five miles, turn left onto FR 3445 and drive a quarter mile to the campground.

46.03306, -84.71917 · 46°1'59.0"N 84°43'9.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 77°F in Jul, down to 26°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	26	28	37	48	62	72	77	76	68	55	42	32
Low °F	7	7	15	28	39	49	54	54	46	36	27	16
Precip in	2.2	1.6	2.0	3.1	2.5	2.9	3.2	3.3	3.9	4.3	3.4	2.6

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 6.3 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Check in time is anytime after 2 pm. Early arrivals will be charged for the previous day.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Common questions about Carp River Campground

Can you reserve a site at Carp River Campground?: Yes, Carp River Campground is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Carp River Campground have?: 20 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Carp River Campground?: 45 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Carp River Campground?: Yes, pets are allowed at Carp River Campground.

Also listed by

Carp River Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Carp River Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

Site Fee $22 - Federal Recreation Passes (Golden/America the Beautiful) are accepted.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Carp River Campground

Brevoort Lake Campground 12.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lake Michigan AT ST. Ignace 12.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Soldier Lake 23.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Three Lakes 23.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Search Bay 9.7 mi · Facility
Civilian Conservation Corps - CCC Camp Round Lake 11 mi · Facility
East Zone 12 mi · Facility
St Ignace Guided Auto Tour 12 mi · Facility
Fall Color Roads - East Side of Hiawatha 12 mi · Facility
Sand Dunes 12.5 mi · Facility
Brevoort Lake Campground 12.8 mi · Campground
Grand Hotel 13.4 mi · Facility

Contact

Phone 906-203-9872
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-06-03.

Carp River Campground