Township parks offering camping are off the radar and difficult to discover. This is the second one I've found and it is a gem. (First one on Madeline Island in the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin). I tripped over Ontonagon Township Park while reading a separate review of a Porcupine Mountain State Park.
So, only downside, day-of-arrival reservation only. Call (no email) by 7AM and make your claim (906 884 2930). I did. It was a weekday in late June. A site was set aside for me. I wasn't thrilled with the site assigned. Together with the site operator we hopped in his golf cart and I got a complete tour of available sites. By the way, $15/night for the site I chose.
On the matter of the day of arrival reservation, you might call in advance and get a sense of the level of campsite fill. It's not a guarantee but it might provide some guidance.
I was tent camping generally looking for a modest amount of solitude and not hanging with the party-lights and generator RV crowd. Pleased to note that even with that constraint I had some choice. Without question, the sites directly on Lake Superior are great locations. Many are RV sites but there are a few tent-only or tent-likely sites. But strong north winds and temps down to 45 at night told me this was not the place for me. I chose a location (site 74) across the road from the lake and slightly up an incline. The strong winds diminished to a gentle breeze and the moderate temps made bugs a non-issue. I had power, which I really didn't need, but nevertheless. And water spigots were at some sites. Not mine but nearby. The vault toilet nearby was spotless. The modern restroom with coin-op showers was a short walk away. The mercury vapor street lamp lighting the access road was a little annoying and I think they could have provided a similar amount of safety without the lumens. But now I'm just picking nits.
OTP was just a one night stand. Next day I back tracked 12 miles west along a lake-hugging road to the Porkies for some trail hiking and then back again through Ontonagon and up the Peninsula.
By the way, for the highway freaks, Ontonagon is the head end of US Route 45 that continues south to the Gulf of Mexico. Road trip for another time. read more