The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
If you are looking for the best campgrounds in Michigan, you have many choices. The state’s camping season generally begins in early May and runs through late September. However, you can find campgrounds open year-round. If you prefer fall foliage, the state’s camping season extends into October. In addition, Michigan campgrounds are often open all year long.
Table of Contents
Huron-Manistee National Forest – Manistee
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
The Huron-Manistee National Forests occupy a large area of the northern lower peninsula of Michigan. Formerly two separate national forests, the Huron National Forest and the Manistee National Forest, these forests were merged in 1945 for administrative purposes. Together, they cover 978,906 acres of public land and 5,786 acres of wetlands.
Manistee National Forest is home to a large number of campgrounds. Located on the northwestern side of Michigan’s lower peninsula, Manistee National Forest offers sand and trees along with Lake Michigan. Boaters and anglers enjoy the many fishing and boating opportunities that abound here. The area is also home to the historic Chittenden Nursery.
Camping is allowed on the Manistee National Forest and is free of charge. No permit is required and there is no fee for primitive tent camping. You may even bring your own firewood. Some campgrounds have fire pits and picnic tables. Some have water and electric hookups. There are also cabins and lodges that are equipped with amenities like air conditioning and a refrigerator. Rental RV trailers can even include a charcoal grill, microwave, and fire pit.
Sleepy Hollow State Park – Laingsburg
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
Sleepy Hollow State Park covers 2,678 acres in Clinton County, Michigan, just off US-127. It is four miles northwest of Laingsburg and nine miles southeast of St. Johns. The park centers around Lake Ovid, a 410-acre body of water.
Sleepy Hollow State Park is a popular destination for outdoor activities. It is about 20 minutes north of Lansing and contains 2,700 acres of beautiful land. The park includes a “no wake” lake, modern campsites, and sixteen miles of pathways. The park is open year-round and offers a variety of activities and attractions.
Visitors can explore the park by boat or canoe. Its 12.9 miles of horse trails are maintained by the Sleepy Hollow Trail Riders Association. Visitors can also fish in Lake Ovid. The lake is stocked with a variety of species. There are two piers and access to numerous shore fishing sites. The park also features 11 miles of hiking trails through pine forests and prairie grasses.
Ludington State Park – Ludington
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
Ludington State Park is one of Michigan’s most popular campgrounds, with 355 campsites and miles of trails. During the summer, the campground fills up fast, so be sure to book reservations well in advance. This popular campground offers primitive camping, as well as paved camping pads. It is recommended to make reservations at least six months in advance, and ideally, one year in advance.
Ludington State Park is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and features diverse hiking trails. You’ll find trails that follow rivers, cross bridges, and stroll along boardwalks. The park also has scenic dune landscapes and is home to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse.
Ludington State Park is a great place to take the family. This park is near several attractions, including the Sandcastles Children’s Museum and Historic White Pine Village. You can stop in at House of Flavors, which features a 50’s-style diner, or check out Stix, a family-friendly beer garden with games for the whole family.
Ludington State Park – Ludington
Lakeport State Park – Lakeport
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
Located along the shores of Lake Huron in St. Clair County, Michigan, Lakeport State Park is an area for outdoor recreation. It is divided into two units, one on each side of the village of Lakeport, and the other in Burtchville Township.
It is a lovely park for picnicking, with over two-and-a-half miles of beach frontage on Lake Huron. The park also welcomes pets. If you’re planning a family vacation, Lakeport State Park is the perfect spot to spend the day.
The park is located about 20 minutes north of Port Huron and is a great place to get out of the city. It is also convenient to metro Detroit. Located just off M-25, Lakeport State Park offers great views and a great place for a day trip. Camping sites are available at the park, and there are barbecue pits available for visitors.
If you’re planning to camp at Lakeport State Park, make sure to bring your recreation passport. You can get a recreation passport for just $11 a year, which allows you to access all the state parks in Michigan. If you’re planning to camp at LakePort, you’ll appreciate the convenience of having electric outlets and a picnic table in your campsite. There’s also a beach with volleyball courts and restrooms.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Empire
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is home to beautiful, sweeping beaches and a wide variety of recreational opportunities. It’s a 35-mile stretch of lakefront, surrounded by massive sand dunes and beech-maple forests. Camping at Sleeping Bear Dunes campgrounds is a great way to experience the great outdoors while staying close to civilization.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is located in Benzie and Leelanau counties near Empire, Michigan. It covers an area of about 71,000 acres and is accessible via several highways. The closest highway is US 131 in Grand Rapids, while US 31 travels along Lake Michigan and I-75 runs through the Upper Peninsula.
Visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore requires a National Park Service pass. To camp in the park, you’ll need to bring your own camping gear. The DH Day Campground has a beach that’s mostly for campers, though it’s also accessible to non-campers. Near the beach is a 6-foot-wide access trail that leads to a platform. Another beach, Shalda Creek Access Beach, is remote and rocky. Despite its remote location, the water is warm and swift when it meets Lake Michigan.
Wilderness State Park – Carp Lake
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
The Wilderness State Park is a public recreation area bordering Lake Michigan. It is located five miles southwest of Mackinaw City, in Emmet County, in northern Michigan. The park covers 10,512 acres, and features a diverse ecosystem that includes lakes, dune complexes, wetlands, and forested areas. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails and camping areas.
There are numerous things to do at Wilderness State Park – Carp Lake in Michigan. The park is home to the largest lake in Michigan, and has twenty-plus miles of trails for hiking. You can also use the beach for swimming, and there is a pet-friendly beach on the property. The park has great views of the lake, and offers many activities for both the family and the adventurous traveler.
The park is also known for its excellent fishing and deer hunting. There are also good opportunities for snowshoe hare hunting. This area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mink, beavers, muskrat, and bobcats.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – Munising
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
The south shore of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It is famed for its multicolored cliffs and unique sandstone formations. You can explore the area by walking through a white birch forest or taking a trail along the lake. There are also remnants of shipwrecks and a 19th-century lighthouse at Au Sable Point.
The scenic cliffs of the lakeshore are a result of the AuTrain formation, which is made up of hard sandstone. The tallest waterfall, the Grand Portal Point, rises 200 feet out of Lake Superior. Twelvemile Beach is another major area of the Pictured Rocks.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities in the winter, including ice formations and caves. The scenic beauty of the area is also a year-round attraction. Whether you’re kayaking or canoeing, you’ll find plenty to do in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The area also has a tourist center in Munising that offers tours of the area. The park is free to visit and open year-round.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – Munising
Porcupine Mountains State Park – Ontonagon
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
The Porcupine Mountains are a group of small mountains located in the northwest of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. They are near the shore of Lake Superior. They are a great place to take a hike and enjoy the beauty of nature. You can see beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding forests.
This state park is located 15 miles west of Ontonagon, MI and contains 60,000 acres of beautiful wilderness. It is one of the last remaining large wilderness areas in the Midwest, featuring pristine old tree growth, private lakes, and miles of wild rivers. Visitors will enjoy hiking, biking, and fishing in this unique area of Michigan. You’ll also find many opportunities for sight-seeing and exploring.
If you are planning a trip to this state park, make sure to check out the weather reports. If it’s raining, there may be flash flooding in the area, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Porcupine Mountains State Park – Ontonagon
Tahquamenon Falls State Park – Paradise
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
If you’re looking for a campground that offers a wide variety of activities for the whole family, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is the place to be. This state park features camping, hiking, backpacking, fishing, canoeing, and nature study opportunities. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife including wolves, bears, and moose. There are miles of marked trails that can help you explore this incredible place.
The park is located near the small town of Paradise, Michigan. This park is home to one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, and has plenty of hiking trails in and around the park. The park also has a number of other amenities, including fuel, groceries, and a restaurant.
The park is home to many waterfalls, including Tahquamenon Falls, which features a drop of nearly 50 feet. The Upper Falls are more than 200 feet wide and flow at 50,000 gallons per second. The park also features five smaller waterfalls on an island.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park has several campgrounds, including the Lower Falls campground and the Rivermouth campground. Both campgrounds offer electricity, and some sites have 50-amp hookups. Interior campsites are large and spacious and have access to potable water and flush toilets. The park also has a recycling center.
South Higgins Lake State Park – Roscommon
The Best Campgrounds in Michigan
If you’re a nature lover, South Higgins Lake State Park in Roscommon, Michigan is worth a visit. It features excellent hiking trails, including the Marl Lake Trail, which can be walked in one, three, or five-mile loops. Moreover, the staff of South Higgins Lake State Park is excellent, and they go above and beyond to ensure that all your needs are met.
South Higgins Lake State Park is a beautiful park in Roscommon, Michigan that boasts nearly one mile of shoreline. The park is divided into two sections – one for campers and the other for day users. Each section has specific rules for dogs. Pets are required to be on a leash and must be under the control of their owners at all times. In addition, pet waste must be disposed of in a trash receptacle. The park is a great destination for family vacations and a wonderful place to go fishing.
Related posts:
The Lake Michigan Campgrounds Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Campgrounds in Washington State
Top 10 Campgrounds in Wisconsin
Top 10 Campgrounds in Florida
The Best Campgrounds in Maine
Top 11 Campgrounds in New Hampshire
The 25 Best Campgrounds in Utah
Top Campgrounds in Branson MO
The 10 Best Delaware Campgrounds
Acadia National Park Campgrounds – Choose the best