Map showing campground location near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

Camper submitted image from JoeIda Campground

JoeIda Campground

Accessible via a narrow one-mile dirt road with limited turnouts, JoeIda Campground provides eight well-spaced sites within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore buffer zone. This privately managed campground requires reservations and costs $25 per night for 2023. The single-lane access road restricts larger RVs, with reviewers recommending rigs under 25 feet.

Dense forest understory creates substantial privacy between sites, with most campers noting the exceptional spacing and seclusion. The campground maintains new vault toilets that multiple visitors describe as remarkably clean, along with a hand pump for potable water. Fire rings include built-in grills, and fallen wood scattered throughout the area provides ample fuel for campfires. No electrical hookups, showers, or dump station exist on-site.

Cell service remains unavailable throughout the campground. The forest canopy provides significant shade, though this also limits solar charging options. Roger W. notes the "thick understory offering GREAT privacy for each site." Most sites accommodate tents and smaller trailers, with a couple designed as pull-through options.

The location serves as a base for exploring both Munising and Grand Marais areas, with Kingston Lake State Forest less than a mile north. The campground fills completely during peak summer weekends, making advance reservations essential for securing one of the limited sites.

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Location

Private Campground

JoeIda Campground is located in Michigan

Coordinates

46.57615098 N
86.22756682 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Cabins
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Reservable
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

3 hrs 47 min from Green Bay, WI
4 hrs 6 min from Traverse City, MI
4 hrs 7 min from Appleton, WI
4 hrs 58 min from Wausau, WI

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

5.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious, well-maintained sites and exceptionally clean vault toilets in this small 8-site campground. Visitors often highlighted the excellent privacy and peaceful forest setting, though access requires navigating a narrow one-lane road.

Scott D.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 30, 2025

Great Rustic Campground

JoeIda is a prefect get-away! The sites are large and well separated from each other. The pit toilets are super nice and clean! There is a water pump for potable water. There is quite a bit of available wood on the ground for campfires. The trees in this area offer great shade. The 1 mile dirt road in was recently graded. I would stay here again when in the area!!

Site6

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Roger W.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 7, 2023

Looks to be Great for Tents and Vans

Joleda: In the Pictured Rocks NP buffer zone. I rate primarily based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy. Cleanliness and care of campground are also taken into consideration. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 5 - the best privately owned campground layout I have ever seen. For the narrow 1 mile, one lane entry road with few turnouts, I suspect this is tent only or van camping. Check their website.
Price 2023: $25 per night Usage during visit: Full on Labor Day weekend . Site Privacy: EXCELLENT. One site that I saw, I’d downgrade to good! Enjoy. Site Spacing: EXCELLENT Site surface: Not surfaced. Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Ideally quiet.
Road Noise: 1 mile from the highway.
Through Traffic in campground: No reason for through traffic here. Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: I did not see one. Potable Water Available: New hand pump. Bathroom: New and very clean pit toilet. Showers: No Pull Throughs: A couple Cell Service (AT&T): Nope. Setting: In a forest with thick understory offering GREAT privacy for each site. Weather: Nice and Sunny on the second day of September. Bugs: I have experienced moderate mosquitoes in the after following a dip in temperatures. With increase in temp, they are becoming a bit more numerous. Solar: No Host: I did not see one. Rig size: Keep it under 25’ Id say. Check their website Sites: Most everyone is superb.

SiteDrive Through

Month of VisitAugust

(7) View All

Jim W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2022

Amazing

This is the campground seasoned boondocks would build for their family and friends. Perfect. Huge campsite s that are spread far apart. Small and beautiful.

Site7

Month of VisitJuly

Jim W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2022

Perfect Rustic Campground

This is the campground you would build for family and friends. Everything looks new and well cared for. The campsites are beyond spacious. The road into the campground is one lane tight.

The pit toilets are immaculate. The picnic tables are extra large and new. The fire rings have gravel around and again, new.

This is quality in a rustic setting.

Site7

Month of VisitJuly

Dean H.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2021

Hidden gem is totally correct

Cleanest vault toilets ever. Lots of room between sites. Water pump. Completely satisfied 😊. Excellent camping. Road was not too bad

Site8

Month of VisitJuly

(5) View All

Steve S.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2020

A Small Gem...so shhhhh!

There are 8 campsites, 1 cabin and a pair of vault toilets, so I’m reluctant to let anyone else know about Joeida Campground...just keep it quiet, ok? We had site #8 which was large, near the toilets and near the water pump. (As someone else mentioned, the vault toilets are like no others we’ve experienced. Amazingly clean and new.) The sites are well-spaced and it was very quiet within the campground. The owners welcomed us and gave us a few tips on hikes and other things to do in the area. It’s a short drive to both Munising and to Grand Marais, and to many other activities within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Firewood is available at the campground and can be arranged for at the time of reservation. Otherwise, there are several racks of firewood available for purchase nearby.

Lauren

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 14, 2020

Small Remote Campground

If you’re into getting off the grid in the middle of the forest with nearby lakes this is a great spot. Small campground with private sites within pictures rocks lakeshore. Primitive with vault toilets, no showers. There is a water pump. There was no firewood for purchase and we did not see any hosts. No cell service. Would definitely stay here again!