Medium Demand — Lake Superior Sunsets on the Keweenaw Peninsula

McLain State Park

Houghton County · Upper Peninsula · Hancock, MI 49930
114
Campsites
1
Mile of Beach
From $22
Per Night
92
Acres
Season: May – October
Hookups: Electric
Pets: Allowed on leash
Reservation: MiDNRReservations.com
Phone: (906) 482-0278
Book on MiDNRReservations.com →

About McLain State Park

McLain State Park sits directly on Lake Superior at the mouth of the Keweenaw Waterway near Hancock, and it's known throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula for some of the most dramatic sunsets in the Upper Peninsula. A mile of cobble-and-sand beach faces open Lake Superior water, backed by a small but well-loved campground close to the historic Hancock-Houghton area and Michigan Technological University.

The modern campground offers 114 electric sites, many with direct or near views of the lake. Its compact size and Lake Superior frontage make it feel more intimate than some of the UP's larger lakeshore parks, while still being close enough to Hancock and Houghton for supplies and dining.

CampgroundSitesHookupsBest For
McLain Campground114 sitesElectricLake Superior views, sunsets
Heads up: Lake Superior water stays cold even in midsummer — beautiful for a view, but plan on brisk swimming rather than a warm-water beach day.
Local tip: Time your evening for the beach — McLain's west-facing Lake Superior orientation makes it one of the more reliable sunset-watching spots in the Keweenaw.

Campground Map

McLain State Park campground map
Numbered campsites along McLain's Lake Superior shoreline, including the rustic sites near the bluff.

Lake Superior Beach & Sunsets

The park's signature feature is its mile of open Lake Superior shoreline, oriented to catch some of the best sunsets on the Keweenaw Peninsula. A short walk connects the campground to the beach and to views across the Keweenaw Waterway entrance.

How to Get a Reservation

The 6-Month Booking Window

Like all Michigan DNR campgrounds, McLain State Park opens reservations exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com.

Set a CampDrop Alert

If your dates are sold out, CampDrop monitors MiDNRReservations.com around the clock and texts you the moment a site opens up at McLain.

Reserve directly: MiDNRReservations.com · Park phone: (906) 482-0278

What to Know Before You Go

Hookups & Site Types

All 114 sites offer electric service, many with lake views.

Season

The park typically operates May through October; confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Pets

Pets are welcome throughout the park on a 6-foot leash.

Nearby Towns

Hancock and Houghton are a short drive away, offering restaurants, groceries, and access to Michigan Technological University's campus.

Directions

McLain State Park is located at 18350 M-203, Hancock, MI 49930, in Houghton County, on the Keweenaw Peninsula about 9 miles from downtown Hancock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, the park has about a mile of Lake Superior shoreline, known for some of the best sunset views on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The campground has 114 modern electric campsites, many with views of Lake Superior.

The water stays cold even in summer, so expect a brisk swim rather than a warm-water beach experience — most visitors come for the views rather than swimming.

Reservations open exactly 6 months in advance through MiDNRReservations.com. For sold-out dates, a CampDrop alert will text you the moment a cancellation opens up a site.

The park typically operates May through October. Confirm exact dates on MiDNRReservations.com.

Yes, it's about 9 miles from downtown Hancock, with Houghton and Michigan Technological University a short drive further.