Mississagi Lighthouse & Campground

Price paid is in Canadian dollars.

The rating of this campground is a three based on the following:

Ease of access: 2 stars
Quality on non-waterfront sites: 2 stars
Quality of waterfront sites: 4 stars
View from waterfront sites: 5 stars

The only reason to come to this campground is for the views of Lake Huron. They are absolutely stunning. Thus, the only reason to come here is if you have a waterfront site. And some waterfront sites are better than others. Sites 13 and 14 are excellent. I expect some people would disagree with this assessment due to the number of people here over the August Long Weekend.

The campground is on the grounds of an old Lighthouse and Fog Horn facility. It is not easy to get to. If you take the ferry over from Tobermory, you have a 1.5 hour drive to get to the other end of Manitoulin island where the campground is. If you cross over at Little Current, expect a 1 hour drive. The roads get narrower and narrower the further west on the island you go. Eventually, you end on a 6 km gravel access road to get to the campground. If it hasn't rained recently, it's a dust bowl.

The campground is run by a very nice young lady who is super accommodating when your plans aren't firm. We were thankful for that. The campground buildings are tired and all could use a fresh coat of paint. The campground office is in the old fog horn building. There is a boat ramp you can use at your own risk. The boat ramp is a rock shelf that slopes down into the water.

Some of the sites have 15 amp electric (use cautiously) and water. The water lines and electric cords are all run on top of the ground. The campground sits on a rock shelf, so burying them would probably be difficult. The non water front sites are either gravel lanes in the middle of scrub grass (nothing special) or tucked away into the pine trees. Big rigs can get on some of the sites.

Our waterfront site was basically a flat rock on the edge of Lake Ontario. It was strictly dry camping. The views and easy access to the water are what made it special.

Cell service could be gotten if you are up high enough. If I put my Verizon phone in a upper window in our tall rig, I could get enough of a signal to receive calls and texts (Bell and Telus). If you needed data, you can drive 2.3 miles out of the campground to a pull out where there was enough of a signal to do more.

All radio and TV stations were out of Alpena, Michigan.

If you want to camp right on Lake Huron and are staying for a week, this place might work for you. We decided the drive to it was too long and dusty for our short stay. I guess it just wasn't our thing. I am sure there are others that love it there and give it 5 stars. Use your own judgement.

Having come here for the first time some 35 years ago, I try to make my visits here as long and as often as possible. This year I was able to spend just a week here at the opening of the Mississagi Lighthouse Museum and Campground. This campground is so far off the beaten path that probably only 5 % of the visitors to Manitoulin Island ever hear of this place, let alone visit and camp here. However everyone who takes the time to drive to Meldrum Bay and onward to the Lighthouse is absolutely blown away by what they find at the very end of the road. If you are just a "Day Tripper" pack a lunch or picnic basket and wander out here. You will meet wonderful people with a passion for this place. If you plan to camp here for a night or even a week or two, you can be assured that you will do so in a place that will be forever etched into your memory. Almost every site is level and dry. Only a few have water and power (15 amp) but this is the kind of place that you come to to get away from all the encumbrances of urban life and the crowds in traditional campgrounds. Any size RV and I do mean absolutely every size, can be accommodated here but with limited services available you have to be relatively self contained. There are showers and flush toilets available but they are in the process of being updated. Day trippers are asked for $5 per vehicle but I think this should be higher. Donations and basic fees are the only revenue to keep this place going. Although not entirely off the grid, it is definitely on the very edge so don't expect cell coverage everywhere. Depending on your carrier, there are some "hot spots" where you can use your phone. I was using Bell Canada however I don't know about other carriers coverage around here. Lastly, I must say that having travelled from Canada's East Coast including Newfoundland, to the West Coast including Vancouver Island, this Mississagi Lighthouse Campground and Museum is absolutely unique and will leave a lasting impression on you and your fellow travellers.