Close to the Water. Close to the Sky
I came to Beaver Island chasing darkness. Not metaphorical — actual, literal darkness. The kind you can’t find on the mainland. The kind that strips away the noise and lets the stars fully arrive.
Beaver Island had just been named Michigan’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and only one of 23 in the entire world. I wanted to feel it for myself—to stand beneath a sky untouched by artificial light and remember what it means to truly see.
And for that, I knew I wanted to camp.
Camping brings me closer to the rhythm of the natural world. I sleep better under trees. The wind through the leaves, the sound of water at night—it hums me to sleep in a way nothing else can. I wanted to fall asleep to the sounds of the lake and wake up with the sun peaking through the trees.
So, I chose St. James Township Campground.
A Quiet Place That Doesn’t Need to Prove Itself
There’s nothing flashy about this campground. And that’s what makes it nearly perfect.
It’s tucked just outside the harbor, set along a curve of shoreline with tent and RV sites spaced simply around it. You’ll have neighbors, but the pads are far enough apart that you still have peace. Each site has a picnic table, a fire pit, and a view of Lake Michigan. The bathrooms are porta-potty style and the showers, all four of them with one of them handicap accessible, are located outdoors in small enclosures for semi-privacy. The ground is level. There’s no gate. No fuss.
You show up. You settle in. And the island takes care of the rest.
Just beyond the campsites, there’s a narrow path — a small crevice etched into the side of the hill. It leads you down to the shoreline, where the intimate beach opens up to Lake Michigan wide and quiet. You feel like you’ve stumbled into something secret. Like the land made room just for you.
There is no other access to the beach below, so if you need something simpler, a drive to another part of the island is required.
I pitched my tent beneath a sky already turning lavender. Lake breeze on my face, the sound of waves brushing the shore. It’s exactly what I came for.
No schedule. No reception desk. No distractions. Just time. And stillness. And the feeling of being allowed to slow down. I don’t get the opportunity very often.
What Camping Here Gave Me
Each of my five nights, I fell asleep to water and wind. The stars didn’t just appear—they emerged. The Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon, planets burning quietly above the trees. And then a deep slumber until the softness of the morning.
Everything I needed was right there: fresh air, open space, and enough quiet to finally hear myself again.
It’s not fancy. But it’s real.
And if you ever need to step away from the noise—really step away—this is the kind of place that meets you exactly where you are, without asking for anything more than your presence.
Prepare Your Trip
St. James Township Campground operates on reservations, so be sure to get yours in early. They tend to fill up quickly for the months of July and August.
The campground is a short walk from the ferry, close to town, and perfectly placed along the water for sunrise, sunsets, and stargazing or dancing Aurora lights.
Bring a tent (or your RV). Bring your breath. Bring whatever you’ve been holding—and let it slip away by the fire.
Some places don’t need marketing. They just need to be found.
