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Carp River Campground in Michigan
Moderate to BookNational Forest

Carp River Campground

Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

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As of October 2026, Carp River Campground is a campground in Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan with 12 campsites. Carp River Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Carp River Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Carp River Campground is located at 46.0331ยฐ N, 84.7192ยฐ W.
people allowed on each site
8

Carp River Campground reservations and next available dates

October 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

  • Taxes apply
  • Changes allowed: 3 change(s) per reservation
  • Maximum consecutive stay: 14 consecutive days
  • Reservations close: 4 day(s) prior to arrival
  • Tribal discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Carp River Campground, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Carp River Campground

  • Standard 12

What an RV fits

  • 25 ft2 sites
  • 30 ft1 site
  • 35 ft8 sites
  • 45 ft1 site

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • potable water

At a glance: Setting: Forest.

Things to do: fishing, boating, hiking, wildlife, photography.

All sites at Carp River Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the CARP RIVER loop.

SiteTypeSleepsMax RV
006Standard835 ft
007Standard835 ft
008Standard845 ft
009Standard835 ft
010Standard825 ft
013Standard835 ft
015Standard835 ft
016Standard835 ft
017Standard830 ft
018Standard835 ft
019Standard825 ft
020Standard835 ft

About Carp River Campground

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) 379-5791.

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.

Rules and notices at Carp River Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Carp River Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.

Reservation cannot be traded for walk up sites

Check OUT is at 12:00 PM

Check IN is at 2:00 PM

We do not have an office at this location. It has a self pay station. Reservations cannot be changed at this location.

Please Note: One RV with tow vehicle per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged an $8 per night fee and collected at the campground if you did not pay for the Extra Vehicle Add On. Extra vehicles must fit on the parking spur at your site.

Carp River Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Carp River Campground?

Carp River Campground is rated "Moderate to Book" based on historical demand. With 12 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Carp River Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Carp River Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.

How many campsites does Carp River Campground have?

Carp River Campground has 12 campsites.

More campgrounds in Hiawatha National Forest

Same forest, same drive. Set an alert on any of them alongside this one.

All 37 Hiawatha National Forest campgrounds

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