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Paint River Hills Campground sits on 24 acres of scenic bluffs along the Paint River in downtown Crystal Falls. Guests are provided with easy access to both the State and County ATV trail systems. The campground features a clean modern shower building, 5 fully insulated sleeping cabins, 10 pull through sites (4 FHU), and 18 RV/tent sites.
It offers a half mile, scenic, and unusual hiking trail along the river through cool bluffs, calcite outcroppings, and 140 year old cedars. Multilingual tree identification markers featuring the native Ojibwa language are displayed throughout the campground and along the trail.
When the campground was built in 2003 an Ojibwa wigwam was constructed under a large white pine by a local Ojibwa and is the subject of a documentary. The wigwam has since been removed but the documentary is still available from the Hannahville Indian School in Wilson, Michigan.
From jct US 2 & Hwy 69: Go 1/5 mi E on Hwy 69, then 1/4 mi N on Second St, then 500 feet W on Railway St.
The man that runs this place is a gentle giant and one of the kindest people I've ever met. Our camper kept blowing the breakers as we were trying to hook up to power (it was our fault; not the campground's). It was late when we pulled in. After 8pm. Yet he still came out to check on us and when he saw the issue he ran home, got his generator, and hooked us up to it for the night. We are a crew of 2 woman and 3 kids traveling across the dang country and we were so tired. His kindness was so appreciated. This campsite is clean, beautiful and fabulous.
I can not begin to explain the experience we had with the ground keeper Carey! He was the most genuine person I’ve probably ever met! He saved us in the dark when we got lost trying to find it. It was just my sister and I. He would come to check on us, offered to help us put our kayak’s further up river so we didn’t have to paddle up river. He made sure we had firewood and directions to anything we would need! This morning he drove down to make sure we got everything loaded up and to say goodbye. The campground was clean and quiet and you can tell he loves the visitors! Honestly, I’d go back just to visit him!
This campground is a hidden gem. It's absolutely beautiful and so peaceful. Clean and well kept. Very nice bathrooms with plenty of hot water and extra spaces and shelves for your amenities. The people that are running the campground, Mary and Carey, are the kindest and most helpful people. They're both so incredibly welcoming and really make you feel at home. All the other campers were super friendly and everyone just had a great time. I can't recommend this place enough. Stores and gas are close by, and you're on an old farm with lots of beautiful apple trees just at the edge of town in a pretty valley near the Paint River.
I was having repeated mechanical issues while exploring the UP in my RV and was pretty discouraged, and I am so grateful that the universe put Carey in my path. I stayed in a full hookup site until my camper could be worked on, and then I stayed in one of the cabins while the RV was in a garage. Both accommodations were perfect for my needs, and Carey was a very helpful resource and just a terrific human being. The campground was great--tidy grounds, clean bathrooms, and a nice riverside trail. But it was mostly Carey's kindness and friendliness that raised my spirits at a time when I needed it. Thank you!
