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A white Tacoma with a camper shell parked on a rise above a broad, empty basin under building cloud.

Forest Service campground

Bay Furnace Campground

Forest Service campground in Hiawatha National Forest, Alger County, Michigan. 622 feet. 4.3 miles from Munising.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Hiawatha National Forest
Elevation
622 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
49 49 standard non-electric
Longest rig
65 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Alger County

Overview

Bay Furnace Campground is located on the south shores of Lake Superior, near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Favorite to many, the campground is centered to various waterfalls, as well as other sightseeing attractions, including boat tours and visits to Grand Island.

Recreation

Fishing in Lake Superior is best by boat. There is no access to the lake at Bay Furnace, but there is a boat ramp approximately 10 miles west, at AuTrain, and in Munising. Anglers can enjoy a variety of lake trout and salmon fishing.

Visitors can access the popular Grand Island via a 10-minute ferry ride or by private boat. This scenic island is a favorite for hiking, mountain biking and exploring.

Various boat excursions are offered near the campground at an additional cost, providing a great way to explore the crystal clear blue-green waters of Lake Superior and view the stunning natural rock formations.

Facilities

The campground offers multiple reservable single sites for tent and RV camping. Additional campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided.

A day-use picnic area is also available at the campground, located near the lake shore. Multiple tables, drinking water and accessible vault toilets are included.

Natural Features

Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of Lake Superior, with its spectacular sunrises, sunsets and occasional northern lights displays. Amid forests of deciduous trees, some sites overlook the lake while others are near Furnace Creek.

Nearby Attractions

Boat ramps are available in Munising, less than 5 miles from the campground, or at AuTrain, which is about 10 miles away.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • swimming site

The land around Bay Furnace Campground

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated September 2, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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