Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds, Marquette, MI

About

For those of us here in Michigan who cherish the call of the wild, yet appreciate the comforts of a well-maintained site, finding the perfect campground is always a quest. Look no further than Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds, nestled conveniently in Marquette, Michigan. This local gem offers a practical and peaceful base for exploring the stunning natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula, making it an excellent choice for a weekend getaway or an extended stay right here in our beloved home state.

Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds is designed for Michigan residents who are looking for a straightforward and functional camping experience. It’s a place where you can set up your RV or tent with ease, enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings, and have direct access to all the wonders that the Marquette area has to offer. Whether you’re an avid hiker, a keen angler, or simply someone who enjoys relaxing by a campfire, this campground provides the essential amenities to make your outdoor adventure enjoyable.

While the campground focuses on providing a clean and accessible environment, it’s important to note that it thrives on self-sufficiency and a love for the outdoors rather than on hosted entertainment. This means more time for you to truly connect with nature, your fellow campers, and the numerous local attractions. If you appreciate a quiet setting with good facilities, then Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds might just be your next favorite spot in Michigan.

Location and Accessibility

Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds is conveniently situated at 123 Eagle Pass Trl, Marquette, MI 49855, USA. This location places it just a stone's throw from the Chocolay River, offering potential for water-based activities and scenic views. For Michigan residents, its proximity to Marquette means easy access to a vibrant city known for its Lake Superior shoreline, diverse dining options, unique shops, and a wealth of outdoor recreation. The campground’s setting provides a peaceful retreat while keeping urban conveniences within a short drive.

The accessibility of the campground from major roads in the Upper Peninsula makes it a desirable stop for those traveling through or aiming to explore the region extensively. You’re well-positioned to visit local landmarks like Presque Isle Park, enjoy the trails around Sugarloaf Mountain, or simply spend a day on the beautiful beaches of Lake Superior. Its location truly allows you to maximize your time enjoying Michigan’s great outdoors, rather than spending it navigating complicated routes.

Services Offered

Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds focuses on providing essential services to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay for both RV and tent campers. Here’s what you can expect:

RV Sites with Full Hookups: Many RV lots have been improved to feature pull-through sites with full hookups, including water, sewer, and electricity, making it easy to set up your home on wheels.
Dedicated Tent Camping Area: For those who prefer a more traditional camping experience, there is an area specifically set aside for tents.
Clean Restroom Facilities: The campground provides well-maintained bathroom facilities for guest use. While they are generally kept clean, campers should be prepared for potential variations in stocking of supplies.
Laundry Facilities: Convenient laundry facilities are available on-site, a valuable amenity for longer stays or for refreshing your clothes after outdoor adventures.
Reliable Cell Service: Guests have reported reliable cell service, ensuring you can stay connected with family and friends or access online information as needed.
Picnic Areas: While not explicitly stated for every site, the expectation for campgrounds of this nature is the provision of picnic tables for outdoor dining.
Fire Pits: Basic fire pits are typically available at campsites for enjoying campfires, though guests should always check current fire regulations.

Features / Highlights

Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds offers several features that enhance the camping experience, focusing on practicality and a connection to the natural surroundings:

Excellent Location for Local Adventures: Its prime location near the Chocolay River and the city of Marquette makes it an ideal base for various outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, hiking, and exploring the Upper Peninsula’s natural beauty.
Clean and Fairly Quiet Environment: Many visitors appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities and the relatively quiet atmosphere, allowing for a peaceful camping experience.
Improved Lots: Recent improvements to the lots, including pull-through options and full hookups, indicate an ongoing commitment to enhancing the guest experience for RVers.
Mix of RV and Tent Sites: The availability of both RV and designated tent sites caters to a broader range of campers, fostering a diverse community.
Natural Setting: While some areas are still establishing grass and trees, the overall setting offers a connection to nature, perfect for those seeking an outdoor escape.
Proximity to Marquette Attractions: Beyond outdoor activities, campers have easy access to Marquette's downtown area, offering dining, shopping, and cultural experiences.
Focus on Self-Reliance: This campground appeals to campers who are self-sufficient and do not require constant host-provided entertainment, offering a more independent camping experience.

Promotions or Special Offers

Information regarding specific, regularly advertised promotions or special offers for Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds is not consistently available in public data. Like many smaller, locally-run campgrounds, promotions might be seasonal, unadvertised, or offered on a word-of-mouth basis. It is always recommended for interested Michigan residents to directly contact the campground to inquire about any current deals, extended stay discounts, or special packages that might be available during their planned visit. Flexibility with your travel dates might also uncover better rates or availability.

Contact Information

For reservations, inquiries, or to learn more about Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds, please use the following contact details:

Address: 123 Eagle Pass Trl, Marquette, MI 49855, USA

Phone: (906) 356-3577

Mobile Phone: +1 906-356-3577

Given that this is a local business, direct communication via phone is often the most effective way to secure a reservation, confirm site availability, or discuss any specific needs for your camping trip. It is particularly advisable to call ahead, especially during peak camping seasons in Michigan, to ensure your preferred site type is available.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For us Michiganders, Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds presents a practical and appealing option for an outdoor escape right within our home state. Its suitability for locals stems from several key aspects that resonate with the typical Michigan camping experience.

Firstly, the convenience of its Marquette location is paramount. Being situated in the Upper Peninsula, a beloved destination for many, it offers a relatively easy drive for those looking to explore this iconic region without venturing too far from home. This proximity means less travel time and more vacation time, a crucial factor for weekend trips or shorter excursions.

Secondly, the campground caters to a self-sufficient style of camping that many Michigan outdoor enthusiasts appreciate. It’s not about elaborate entertainment programs, but rather about providing a clean, functional, and quiet place to enjoy nature. The availability of full hookup RV sites and designated tent areas means it accommodates various camping preferences, making it versatile for different types of local adventurers.

Thirdly, the reported reliability of cell service and the presence of amenities like laundry facilities add a layer of comfort and practicality that can be particularly valuable for longer stays or for those who need to remain partially connected. These are the kinds of details that make a camping trip more enjoyable and less stressful.

While some past experiences highlight areas for improvement in host communication, the general sentiment points to a clean and well-located campground that consistently makes improvements. For locals who prioritize a solid base for exploring the incredible natural offerings around Marquette—from the serene Chocolay River to the grandeur of Lake Superior—and who are comfortable with a more independent camping approach, Chocolay River RV & Campgrounds offers a genuine and accessible slice of Michigan’s outdoor paradise. It’s a place where you can truly unplug (or just mostly unplug!) and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Upper Peninsula, creating lasting memories close to home.

Reviews

I made a reservation for August 30, 2024, about a week in advance. Over the phone, the campground host was friendly and assured me that the site would be reserved for us. I informed him that since we would be driving six hours from the south after a half-day at work, we wouldn’t be arriving until around 11 pm. He confirmed that a reserved sign would be placed on our campsite. Unfortunately, when we arrived at 11:05 pm, we found our reserved site occupied by three intoxicated men who claimed they had paid cash in the Dropbox and were instructed by the host to take any available site. To our surprise, there was no reserved sign as promised. We tried to call and text the host and even knocked on his mobile home, where the lights turned on, but he did not come to the door. About 10-15 minutes later, he texted us back, simply telling us to take any available site, though there were none. We ended up setting up our tents in a grassy patch that wasn’t a designated campsite because we had no other option. During our two nights there, we never saw the host once. While the bathrooms were clean, by the second day they were out of toilet paper, and there were signs everywhere asking campers to call the host if supplies needed replenishing. However, given our previous interactions, this felt futile. Unless this is a part-time job for the host, I can’t understand how such basic responsibilities could be neglected. Pros: • The surrounding scenery and nearby cities are beautiful. • The bathrooms were clean (when stocked). Cons: • Poor communication and follow-through by the host. • Our reserved campsite was given away, despite prior confirmation. • Lack of host presence or assistance throughout our stay. • Toilets were out of toilet paper by the second day. Overall, while the location is lovely, this type of experience with an unprofessional host is likely to drive people away.

Sep 07, 2024 · Arafat

We stayed at this campground in the past, and it keeps getting better. It's a great location for any local adventure, but we appreciate all the amenities. It's clean, fairly quiet with nice laundry and bathroom facilities. We also have reliable cell service here. The lots have been recently improved and feature pull-through with full hookups. They also have an area set aside for tents. It still a little rough in places as they establish grass/trees in some areas. All that said, this campground may not be appreciated by those who want entertainment provided by the campground hosts.

Jun 15, 2024 · Ann Rees

Perfect campground for us! Used tent site #1. Camping using our Leesure Lite pulled with a trike. Paul was a real nice guy that made coffee in the morning and came to our site to let us know it was made and ready. Bathrooms were spotless. Individual showers were super clean with good water pressure and hot water. If we get that way again we would stay there, no problem

Aug 01, 2024 · Harm Hirschberg

Never saw any staff while we were here. Seems like the park has worked on making sites wider which was appreciated. Crazy to imagine how tight it used to be. Bathrooms weren’t the cleanest the first night. Seemed like a long term camper had called dibs on one of the showers by decorating it in a way that made it seem like it was off limits to everyone else. If this is the case, put a sign on the door. Nice walking path.

Jul 23, 2024 · K Byrd

My husband and I stayed here for about a week in August (traveling in our 30ft. Class C Motorhome with no tow vehicle). Overall, we really enjoyed the campground. The sites are spacious and open (I think they combined two sites, so it is actually huge). Not much shade due to the lack of trees, but it was perfect for us as this made it satellite friendly. The staff are helpful and answered anytime I called with a question. The laundry room has 2 washing machines and 2 dryers, although the washing machine on the left stopped halfway through my cycle and I had to switch. Booking/reservations are a little disorganized as when you get to the campground, no one is in the office and the sign just tells you to pick any site. I can see this being problematic for people although we didn't have an issue. Down the street a little ways is a beach and a casino. We walked down an ATV trail to get there instead of walking along the highway. This area was extremely buggy (with black flies) though and we ended up jogging down. Of note and not related to the Campground, you will need a car to get around. We were unable to find Uber/Lyfts and taxis were a little pricey. We rented a car to get to Pictured Rocks (I absolutely recommend going!) but it was difficult picking up the car.

Sep 24, 2024 · Kelly Dressler

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