Eastern UP
Best Camping Near Les Cheneaux Islands
Hessel and Cedarville: kayak-friendly waterways through 36 islands
About Les Cheneaux Islands
Les Cheneaux — French for "the channels" — is a labyrinth of 36 islands in northern Lake Huron between Cedarville and Hessel. The waterways are calm and shallow and among the best flatwater kayaking terrain in the Great Lakes. The Antique Wooden Boat Show in Hessel each August is the oldest and largest in the US. The two small towns have marinas, restaurants, and vacation rentals but not much else — this is a place people come back to for decades rather than discover. Book lodging early; it fills completely by July 4th.
Campgrounds Near Les Cheneaux Islands
Vetted campgrounds within the Les Cheneaux Islands area — from state park sites to private full-hookup RV parks.
Cedarville Township Campground
On Lake Huron near the channel entrance. Simple sites with water views.
Book on Hipcamp →Hessel Lake Campground
Quiet rustic sites on Hessel Lake. Walk to the marina where the wooden boat show is held.
Book on Hipcamp →Trails Near Les Cheneaux Islands
Hessel Harbor Walk
Walk the harbor waterfront and marina in Hessel. Site of the annual Antique Wooden Boat Show in August.
Les Cheneaux Channel Paddling Route
Flatwater kayaking through the 36-island chain. Calm channels protected from open Lake Huron.
Gear up for the trail
Don't forget the essentials
Bear spray, trekking poles, headlamp, and moisture-wicking layers — must-haves for UP trails. Quick links to Amazon for the most-searched UP camping gear.
* Amazon affiliate links — NorthPass earns a small commission. Prices and availability may vary.
Nearby Destinations
Drummond Island
ATV and UTV mecca at the far eastern edge of the UP
Best: Summer, FallMackinac Island
No cars, Victorian hotels, and 8.2 miles of shoreline road
Best: Summer, FallSault Ste. Marie
The oldest city in Michigan, where freighters lock through daily
Best: Summer, FallFree intel report
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