McLain State Park RV & Campground Guide
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McLain State Park is centrally located between the cities of Calumet and Hancock, and it offers two miles of sandy beaches on beautiful Lake Superior. The park is named after a legendary Houghton County Commissioner, Frederick J McLain, an instrumental figure in securing land for the site in the 1930s. The terrain of the state park varies from flat, open expanses to woods and hills. A variety of wildlife has been spotted in the park, including squirrels, groundhogs, deer, and various bird species. When visiting, you'll want to dress in layers as the temperatures are somewhat mild during the day and chilly in the evening. In winter, the temperatures generally stay below freezing.
Spring 21-61 F
Summer 51-76 F
Fall 30-64 F
Winter 13-27 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in McLain State Park
No matter when you decide to visit McLain State Park, you would benefit by making an RV your home base. If you don’t own an RV, consider renting one from RVshare.com. All rentals come with 24/7 roadside assistance and nationwide insurance.
Hancock Recreation Area Campground
Hancock Recreation Area Campground has 72 campsites to choose from, with 58 of them being equipped for RVs of every size. The campground is situated in a natural rustic setting among various northern hardwoods and softwoods. The Hancock Recreation Area comprises over 28 acres of developed properties, offering swimming, picnicking, fishing, and boating opportunities.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Restrooms, showers, and laundry facility
Lake Linden Village Campground
Lake Linden Village Campground includes 27 campsites for any size of RV. It's located near the swimming area and a large open-air pavilion. The campground is within walking distance of groceries, convenience stores, hardware stores, four restaurants, and the Houghton County Museum.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Nature trails, restrooms, and showers
Sunset Bay RV Resort & Campground
Positioned on the shores of Lake Superior, Sunset Bay RV Resort & Campground is situated among beautiful mature oak trees. There are 11 tent-only sites, 23 RV/tent sites, and the option to rent one of their two cabins. All sites have campfire pits and are near campground activities.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dump station, laundry facility, and bathhouses
What to Do at
McLain State Park
Inside McLain State Park
McLain State Park offers a variety of activities year-round. In summer, fishing, windsurfing, and berry picking are popular activities to do inside the park. Some visitors enjoy spending the day at the beach relaxing, building sandcastles, going swimming, or sunbathing. The park has four miles of nature trails that are perfect for hiking and cross-country skiing. Other things to do inside the state park include picnicking, fishing, windsurfing, and viewing the lighthouse structure.
Outside McLain State Park
The area just outside of McLain State Park is filled with various restaurants, shops, and attractions. Many of these establishments are family-friendly, making it convenient for your youngsters to join in on all of the adventures.
Restaurants
Gino's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge
Gino's Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge is a family-owned and -operated restaurant that serves Italian comfort foods, including everything from a variety of soups and salads to a delicious entrée of pasta. Try their creamy vanilla cheesecake topped with your choice of berries, chocolate, or caramel for the sweet tooth.
Type: Italian
Location: 800 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930
La Cantina of Hancock, MI
Fill up on your preferred Mexican dish at La Cantina of Hancock, MI, which sits less than 11 miles from the state park entrance. Authentic Mexican food is served at this family-owned restaurant.
Type: Mexican
Location: 101 East Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930
Four Suns Fish & Chips
Four Suns Fish & Chips features award-winning fish, gourmet sides, smoked fish chowder, and other menu items. They are situated in the upper peninsula of Michigan in Hancock.
Type: Seafood
Location: 49813N Highway 41, Hancock, MI 49930
Ambassador Restaurant
The Ambassador Restaurant is known for its great food, but what places this restaurant apart from others is the breathtaking murals that cover the interior walls. The relaxed atmosphere is the perfect place to chill and drink one of their famous cocktail mixes after your delicious meal.
Type: Italian
Location: 126 Shelden Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931
Milly’s
Are you craving something different, but your family wants pizza? Search no further than Milly’s. They not only serve various pizza combinations but also offer fried chicken, sandwiches, and salads. Gluten-free sub rolls are available for those with sensitivities.
Type: American, Italian
Location: 108 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930
Shopping
K.C. Bonker's Toys and Coffee
K.C. Bonker's Toys and Coffee is more than a coffee shop; it is a place where you can purchase various snacks, candy, and more. There is an excellent selection of toys, games, and novelties to keep your little ones occupied during your vacation.
Location: 119 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930
Copper Country Mall
Copper Country Mall features a variety of local stores all in one location, offering electronics, clothing, gifts, and entertainment options. Copper County Mall has something to offer the entire family.
Location: 47420 Michigan Highway 26, Houghton, MI 49931
Apple Blossom Mercantile
Apple Blossom Mercantile is a great little shop where you can either buy a souvenir or gift for anyone on your list, including yourself. They offer daily deals on an assortment of products. Gourmet food and sweet treats are also sold here.
Location: 610 Shelden Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931
Pat’s Foods IGA
Pat’s Foods IGA is the closest grocery store near the state park. It has been owned and operated by the Campioni family for several generations. There is a wide selection of affordable and natural products to fill your RV refrigerator.
Location: 801 Market Street, Hancock, MI 49930
Walmart Supercenter
Walmart Supercenter is about 20 minutes southeast of the state park, providing a great place to restock your RV. Outside of fresh produce and other grocery items, Walmart sells camping supplies, fishing gear, clothing, and more.
Location: 995 Razorback Drive, Houghton, MI 49931
Sightseeing
Keweenaw National Historical Park
Keweenaw National Historical Park was established through partnerships to maintain and interpret the history of copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The park offers guided tours, museums, and other heritage sites for exploring.
Location: 25970 Red Jacket Road, Calumet, MI 49913
Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw
Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw features ongoing changing exhibits about local culture and natural history. It's free to walk through the museum. However, during their events, they do charge admission fees. Many of the exhibits and events include a variety of hands-on activities for everyone's curiosity and learning.
Location: 105 Huron Street, Houghton, MI 49931
The Calumet Theatre
Stop in at The Calumet Theatre and experience a fantastic event starring Summer Brooke and The Mountain Faith Band, Joe Nichols, or other musical artists. Nine different membership options offered here entitle a member to receive various perks, including a newsletter subscription, tickets mailed at no charge, and a discount for theatre sponsored events.
Location: 340 6th Street, Calumet, MI 49913
Gardener’s Falls on Gardener’s Creek
Gardener’s Falls on Gardener’s Creek is a few miles north of Calumet. You can walk through the tiny woodland cascade over mossy rocks and logs to view the most beautiful waterfalls. You'll reach the waterfalls flowing under a wooden bridge within a short distance from the starting point of the path.
Location: Gardeners Creek, Calumet, MI 49913
Hungarian Falls Nature Area
Hungarian Falls Nature Area features moderate to advanced woodland hiking trails along both sides of the falls, with the upper access trail being reasonably easy. There is a pond dammed off at the top of the falls, making it the ideal place to view natural wildlife.
Location: Calumet, MI 49913
How to Get to
McLain State Park
From Calumet, head north on Sixth Street toward Elm Street and turn left onto M-203 South/Pine Street. Follow for approximately 3.6 miles and then turn right to stay on M-203 South. Travel for another 4.2 miles, and then turn right onto McLain State Park Road. The destination will be located on the left-hand side.
Entering McLain State Park
McLain State Park's operational hours are Sunday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
McLain State Park Per vehicle (1-4 adults) : $9.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to McLain State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About McLain State Park
Summer is a fantastic time to visit McLain State Park, as it has two sandy beaches along Lake Superior. This park’s location is often ideal in the summer for windsurfing.
In July, the warmest month, you will appreciate the cool breezes off Lake Superior as afternoon highs climb into the mid-70s. The coldest month is January, when afternoon temperatures often reach only 23 degrees. January is the wettest month.
Park visitors often see white-tailed deer, mink, coyotes, foxes, and squirrels. Neo-topical birds often visit the park in the summer, while visitors often see songbirds hunting insects throughout the year.
McLain State Park offers over 100 camping spots, and most come with a picnic table and a fire ring. Electrical hookups are available at many campsites, and a modern shower house is available.
Reservations are recommended at McLain State Park Campground. Rates begin at about $18 per night at this campground, where most spots have beautiful views of Lake Superior. Campers without reservations can stay in unreserved campsites.