First Time Tent Camping

[MInative]

Hello,
I am visiting Beaver Island for the first time at the end of July/beginning of August. I will just be hiking around for a couple of days exploring the island and I have done some research on the areas to tent camp however I wanted to hear from those who have been or who live there on where the best places or hidden gems are? I see that the only campground you can reserve is already booked up so I'm slightly worried on where I will be laying my head for a couple of nights. Any advice or insight is greatlyyy appreciated!

Thanks!!

[JamesBoyle]

Beaver Island is not a national park, it's an island with many year round residents that live on private land. Maybe contact the chamber of commerce and ask them? I wouldn't go around hiking and setting up a tent.

[MInative]

I appreciate the reply! I do not intend to disperse camp, I absolutely will check out all campsites available while I explored the parks and trails as well as the town. This post was more to hear from those who live or who have vacationed there as I do not want to go/stay places that are not welcomed. As I look into the island more I want to make sure I'm respectful to the land and area so I was hoping to hear which campsites people preferred.

[JamesBoyle]

I own property there and spend many weeks on the island in the summer so you did get insight from someone who has spent a lot of time on the island. I'm 61. My father was born there and I've been going there for a lot of those 61 years. Like I said, it's not a national park where you are free to roam other than the public beaches, public streets and marked hiking trails. Yes there are many places for you to explore, be wary of private property signs. There is a lot of acreage that is owned but has no residences on privately owned land. Enjoy your time on the island but be careful and respectful where you go.

[MInative]

Thank you very much for this information! It's always great to hear from locals prior to visiting anywhere. We have up to date trail maps that we will follow and will respect all private land. I have reached out to the commerce via email and hope to hear from them soon. My main concern was campsite availability at Saint James Township or Bill Wagner and was looking to see if there were any other regulated campsites to check out.

Thank you again for your helpful tips!

[BIyearning]

There is also the Beaver Island Hideaway Campground. I have never camped there. My idea of
camping is renting a house on the beach.

https://stjamesboatshop.com/camp/

[MInative]

I did see that as well, but it looks like it will not be open when I will be visiting. Thank you for sharing though, any information is appreciated.

[SKB]

Wagner Campground is a beautiful spot to camp and is rarely busy.

[BIyearning]

The Bill Wagner campground would be my first choice of a location to camp. It is a nice
hike from there to the North end of Sand Bay and back. It is a beautiful location.

[BeaverIslandGuy]

I agree that Wagner is beautiful and a good first choice. I have camped at St. James although it was several years ago. We found it to be a great place and convenient to the town if that's important. I hope you enjoy your first trip to the island.

[esalveter]

The Wagner campground also gives you access to the Seven Bridges Trail, the State Road Trail, and other unnamed trails spurring off from Hannigan's Road. It is not far from Johnny Martin's Trail, but I don't recommend that. The beavers have the meadow flooded. We cleared a path across the beaver dam, but beyond that is still very wet.

Have fun and enjoy your time here.

[Fish Camp]

Check out this link about camping on state land, of which there is a lot on Beaver Island.

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to- ... camping%20(also,reached%20by%20foot%20or%20boat.

[BIyearning]

FishCamp, thanks for that link. I wasn't sure what the rules were for state forest camping. That
is a really good resource. Back in the day when I was a young man, we often camped like that (no campground).
We called it survival camping. Rope and a plastic sheet for shelter. We would take little or
no food. Minimal gear. Tinfoil, cooking oil and salt were about it for cooking. We would fish, hunt
and forage for food depending on the season. It was a simpler time in life. We did go hungry a
few times. Water was always the issue. We didn't have the purifier filter pumps that can be purchased now.
It was great fun but now days I'll stick with a beach house. I'll be up again in September. Hopefully I
can catch a couple fish to eat.

[MInative]

All of this information is so great to receive! I believe that we are going with Bill Wagner and I'm very excited to check out all of the trails and sites mentioned.

[BIyearning]

You should be excited. You will have a great time. Hiking the Lake Michigan shoreline is my favorite.
The different bays and points go on for seemingly endless miles. You never know what you may find.
I've been coming up once or twice a year for a week at a time since the 80s and I'm excited
to get back every time. Enjoy.