Best Campsites in Michigan
If you are looking for a memorable camping experience then Michigan is the state for you. This state in the Great Lakes and Midwestern regions of the United States is surrounded by great parks and beaches with great campgrounds. Whether you are looking for a tent campsite, an RV site or campsite cabin, these 15 best campsites in Michigan offers everything for both first-time and seasoned campers.
1. Ludington State Park Campgrounds
Ludington State Park Campgrounds are located along the shores of Lake Michigan and next to Grand River. There are 174 campsites in this campground all with electric hookups, RV hookups, picnic tables, and fire pits. The campground has flush toilets, BBQ grills, campsite tables, drinking water, and a playground. These campsites don’t offer much privacy because they are located close to one another. Outdoor activities include fishing, kayaking, swimming, beachcombing, and water sports.
2. Michigan Oaks Camping Resort
If you are looking for a campsite in the heart of beautiful northern Michigan, the Michigan Oaks Camping Resort is one of the best places to visit. Located just east of Indian River, this camping resort offers 160 wooded campsites. There are 31 full hook-up water and sewer campsites, 57 water and electric campsites, 51 electric only sites and 21 rustic campsites. If you don’t want to camp in a tent or an RV, there are 4 camping cabins available for your relaxing, fun-filled getaway.
3. Huron-Manistee National Forests
Do you know that you don’t need a permit to camp on the National Forests? Well! One of such forests is the Huron-Manistee National Forests located in the southern part of Michigan. Primitive and dispersed tent camping is allowed almost anywhere within this national forest unless there is a poster with a “No Camping” sign. There are no recreational vehicle hook-ups available for water, electric or sewage.
4. Platte River Campground
The Platte River Campground is located along the Platte River, within the precincts of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. This simple picturesque campsite offers beautiful tent camping sites and back-in and pull-through campsites for recreational vehicles. Some of the campground amenities include hot showers, potable water, restrooms, water spigots, camp sinks, and a dump station at the entrance. There are also camp sinks located in the restrooms. If you enjoy a great backpacking experience, there is a backcountry campground nearby. If you want to make a reservation, you can do up to six months in advance for arrival dates.
5. Jackson Lake State Forest Campground
Jackson Lake State Forest is a great place for both first-time and seasoned campers. Located on small, peaceful Jackson Lake, the campground has eighteen campsites for trailer and tent use. Fifteen of these campsites can accommodate recreational vehicles and trailers of up to 40 feet. Other recreational activities available for campers include fishing, boating and hiking opportunities. The forest campground also offers campers direct access to several miles of beautiful hiking trails. All campsites on this location are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You don’t need to make any reservation.
6. William Mitchell State Park Campground
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This is a 334-acre camping park located in Cadillac, Michigan. The park has 221 campsites with modern facilities and amenities such as restrooms, 50 amp service, electricity, mini Cabin, and a dumping station. Sandy beaches are available in the campground. There are boat launch facilities on Lake Mitchell and Lake Cadillac which allow campers to have easy access to fishing activity and water sports. If you love hiking, the 25-mile long Heritage Nature Trail offers an opportunity to do so.
7. Pinckney Recreation Area
This campground is a paradise for campers and anyone who wants to enjoy a broad range of outdoor recreational activities. The area is known for its chain of excellent fishing lakes and extensive trail system. Several remote campsites and a 26-miles trail afford a backcountry camping and hiking experience. Some of the campgrounds in the area include the Pinckney-Blind Lake Rustic, the Pinckney Recreation Area Glenbrook Yurt, the Pinckney-Crooked Lake Rustic and Pinckney-Bruin Lake Modern. Most of these campgrounds have boat launches, modern restrooms, and electrical service.
8. Tahquamenon Falls State Park
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This Michigan State park is located along the Tahquamenon River. The park features several biking and hiking trails that wind through an old-growth forest and along the river. There are 53 campsites that accommodate tents, recreational vehicles, and trailers. There are 39 standard sites for tent camping, 8 sites for RV camping, 3 equestrian sites, and 3 sites for biking and hiking. Each campsite also has a table, fire ring, and grill. Besides campsites, the park also has a playground, softball field, horseshoe pits, picnic areas, and mixed-use trails.
9. Whispering Oaks Campground
Enjoy the convenience of having a place to stay and camping by visiting the Whispering Oaks Campground located on 8586 M-37 in Baldwin, Michigan. The campground has cabins, RV sites, primitive campsites, 24×32 pavilion and 8 large wooded tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits. The campground also welcomes residents and Michigan visitors who are looking for a family reunion or large group get-together. Other popular features of this campground include pull-thru sites, pets allowed and electric amp service.
10. Kritter’s Northcountry Campground & Cabins
This is a family-oriented campground located in Newberry, Michigan, in the heart of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The campground, which is encompassed by forty acres of wildlife and tranquil rich wilderness, offers a wide variety of camping sites and cabins for individuals, groups, family, and friends. Camping season at this campground begins May 10th until October 5th. There are several facilities and amenities in this campground such as showers and restrooms, bathrooms, lodging Accommodations, a library, Wi-Fi, enclosed pavilion, play areas, laundry facility, fire Pits and picnic tables.
11. Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground
The Sleepy Hollow State Park is another great place in Michigan for campers. This 2,600-acre state park features a river that wound its way through the trails, fields, and woods. The park offers several recreation opportunities including camping. There are 181 modern campsites in the park for those looking for a quiet natural environment for a nice weekend getaway. Other outdoor recreational activities in this park include picnicking, swimming, fishing, boat launch, bird watching, and wildlife viewing.
12. Jado Park Campground
Located next to Irish Hills and Oak Shade Park, the Jado Park Campground is a great place for those looking for a weekend getaway. If you are one of them, you will enjoy large grassy campsites, nestled in beautiful rolling hills. You will also enjoy onsite activities such as horseshoes, a stocked fishing pond, a basketball hoop, a large grass volleyball court and a playground for the kids. Some of the camping amenities and facilities include Wi-Fi hot spot, campground store, electricity, water, clubhouse, fire pits, picnic tables, clean restrooms, hot showers, and a sanitary station.
13. North Country Store and Campground
North Country Store and Campground also joins the list of the best campsites in Michigan. This is a family-owned campground located 4 miles north of Baldwin in Michigan. This campground offers campers easy access to nature trails for hiking and biking, a playground, a convenience store, and 9-hole miniature golf. Since most of the campsites at this campground get filled up quickly year-all-round, campers are required to make reservations before the arrival day.
14. Old Log Resort & Campground
Old Log Resort & Campground is a family or group-oriented campground in Marion, MI, along the beautiful and sandy Muskegon River. This river winds through miles of forest with much beautiful scenery to view. The campground, which is open from 15th April to December 1st, is peaceful on weekdays when several wildlife animals are often sighted. There are several campsites and rustic log cabins for great night sleep. Campers also get access to kayaks and canoes for trips ranging from three to five hours. Group camping is also available.
15. DeTour State Forest Campground
This forest campground is located on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Huron, approximately 6 miles west of DeTour. The campground has twenty one sites for small trailer and tent use. Three of these campsites can accommodate recreational vehicles and trainers of up to 40 feet long. Amenities at this campground include potable water obtained using a hand pump, campfire rings on each site and vault toilets. There is also a sandy beach and boat access is close by at the Raber Bay Launch, Detour Public Launch or Detour Passage Launch. The campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You don’t need to make any reservations.
Conclusion
Whether you want to spend the day camping, exploring or relaxing, the campsites that we have featured in this article offer everything for both first-time and seasoned campers. There are several campsites in Michigan that didn’t make in this list, which also offers the best camping experience. So this list of best campgrounds in Michigan will grow over time. If you have a campsite in mind that you want us to feature in this article, feel free to let us know in the comment box below.