Campers Love The Adventures And Incredible Views At The Cleanest Lake In The US

Not to be overly romantic, but the U.S. and Canada are very lucky to share Lake Superior (I can't help it — the lake was on the horizon out the window of my childhood home). It is a singular natural wonder on planet Earth. Holding an insane 10% of the world's surface freshwater, Lake Superior is around 350 miles in length and reaches depths of over 1,300 feet, making it the largest of the Great Lakes. It actually has the most surface area of any freshwater lake in the world (it's roughly the size of South Carolina), and is more akin to a sea. It is grounding, pristine, and awe-inspiringly large, embodying the quiet juxtaposition, similar to a mountain range, of being peaceful and meditative but also tantalizing, huge, and adventurous.

By some miracle, it has managed to remain undisturbed by modernity. A study by Lake.com found Lake Superior to be the cleanest lake in the U.S. Its waters are so pure and clear that visibility can extend over 20 feet deep, creating ideal conditions for kayaking, swimming, or scuba diving among the many historic shipwrecks. A rugged forest-lined shore full of coves, hidden beaches, and rocky cliffs that stretches over 2,500 miles across Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ontario, there are innumerable opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Lake Superior offers some of the best camping in the Midwest, and visitors can find a mix of lakeside campgrounds and backcountry sites tucked in remote corners along the shore. Its unspoiled landscapes and low light pollution make it a perfect destination for stargazing and quiet reflection while watching the Northern Lights. Whether you're pitching a tent beneath the pines or paddling past sandstone cliffs, campers love the unforgettable experiences straddling wilderness and America's cleanest lake.

Camping around the rugged Lake Superior delivers the kind of "big lake, big sky" experience that stays with you. And campers let their love and appreciation be known. A place like Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has over 8,000 Google reviews and a solid 4.9 rating. Visitors like Arthur Harder, who has many Great Lakes reviews, wrote, "As someone who's lived in Los Angeles for 11 years, I can vouch that, at least in the summer, you won't be able to tell the difference between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean. Whole area has pristine turquoise blue water and something for everyone."

Outdoor enthusiasts routinely post their Lake Superior pictures to the r/camping and r/backpacking subreddits, receiving hundreds or thousands of upvotes and dozens of comments. The conversation usually focuses on the clear water, amazing scenery — rocky shores, great sunsets, and forest backdrop — the quality trails, and the sites with direct water access. The few cons are the ferocious black flies in early summer and unpredictable weather, but both can be mitigated with proper expectations, planning, and a healthy spray of bug dope.

The remote beauty is a consistent theme. As one Redditor posted, "I live in the Rockies now, and they are beautiful, but I do miss camping on the Great Lakes. In my opinion, they carry their own grandeur that's equal to the mountains, and the soundscapes on the Great Lakes can wash away the wear and tear of civilization." Another added, "At night, the stars were insane. And reflected off the water... it was unreal. I felt like I was floating in outer space." Luckily for us, there are plenty of places to camp and Lake Superior experiences waiting.

A no-miss strategy for planning a camping adventure on the shores of Lake Superior would be to check out one or more of the national parks. They're usually more popular, so planning ahead is key. Probably the most famous strip of coast is the aforementioned Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan — the top natural wonder in the state. Featuring towering multicolored sandstone cliffs, it is popular for kayaking and hiking, and there are backcountry sites and campgrounds like 12-Mile Beach. Isle Royale National Park, accessible by ferry, seaplane, or private boat from Michigan or Minnesota, is a remote island way out in the middle of the lake with hiking trails, moose sightings, and campsites scattered throughout, like at McCargoe Cove. Its remoteness means it is one of the least-visited national parks and is a tranquil disconnect from the world.

In northern Wisconsin, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (pictured above) is known for its 21 islands and sea caves, and is a great destination for your next kayaking adventure. The park features spots like Oak Island, which has remote campsites that are ideal for those seeking a secluded experience. On the nearby mainland of the Bayfield Peninsula, Little Sand Bay is a perfect campground to pitch a tent and spend a quiet weekend on the shore.

Across the lake on the Canadian side, Pukaskwa National Park is a backpackers paradise and offers a beautifully rugged camping experience along the wild shores. The park's main Hattie Cove Campground provides well-maintained sites with access to scenic trails, including the relaxing Southern Headland Trail and Beach Trail. For a true backcountry adventure, hike or paddle to remote campsites nestled among the forest, cliffs, and hidden coves.

The picturesque national parks on the shores of Lake Superior are rightfully well-known and surely worth a visit. But there are over 2,500 miles of coastline and plenty of campgrounds and backcountry opportunities that fly under the radar. An easy way to plan a trip would be to use the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide, and its list of over 100 campgrounds. Map it out yourself or use the Trip Planner tool to find the hidden gems. 

Minnesota's Superior Hiking Trail is a spectacular way to experience the North Shore's rugged beauty. Stretching over 300 miles from Duluth to the Canadian border, the trail winds through forests, ridge-lines, and dramatic Lake Superior overlooks. Dozens of free, first-come-first-served backcountry campsites are spaced every few miles. A place like Minnesota's Grand Marais Municipal Campground is more laid-back with comfort and amenities to go along with the lake views. Up in Ontario, Lake Superior Provincial Park offers unforgettable camping along one of Canada's most dramatic shorelines. Hike to one of the many backcountry sites or camp at the beachside Agawa Bay Campground for cool evening swims after day adventures. The park features dozens of miles of hiking trails and the Agawa Rock Pictographs, ancient Indigenous rock art on lakeside cliffs. 

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the Upper Peninsula is Michigan's largest, covering 60,000 acres of forested hills, hidden waterfalls, and stunning shoreline — and it's one of the 50 most underrated parks in America. It has 90 miles of hiking trails, lakeside campgrounds like Union Bay, and backcountry sites where you can hang a hammock and watch the sun drift down the horizon and slide behind the cleanest lake in the country.