Camping near Ludington State Park

Q: Are dogs allowed at Ludington State Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Ludington State Park , but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under the owner's control at all times. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets and ensuring they do not disturb other park visitors. However, dogs are not allowed in certain areas of the park, such as the swimming beach, picnic areas, or inside park buildings. There are designated pet-friendly areas within the park where your dog can enjoy the outdoors with you.

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Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Ludington State Park adventure.

Take a beach break at two lakes in one at this sandy state park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Ludington State Park

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Ludington State Park

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Beechwood Campground

148 sites · RVs, Tents In Ludington State Park

Cute pit toilets next to the lighthouse trail

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Jack Pine Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents In Ludington State Park

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Cedar Campground

115 sites · RVs, Tents In Ludington State Park

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Pines Campground

100 sites · RVs, Tents In Ludington State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Ludington State Park

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Secluded River Ridge Campsite

1 site · RV, Tent5 acres · Crystal Mountain, MI

5 private acres on the Betsie River. 3 miles to Crystal Mountain. You can walk through the woods to get to the river. Fish from shore or find several spots to get into the river to fish. Close to Iron Fish Distillery. 20 minutes to many Lake Michigan beaches. There is a flat yard for tents and a gravel pad for an RV. 30 amp electrical hookup and water spigot available. You have the spot to yourself. You can see a family cottage through the woods, but it is about 80 yds away.

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Deer Run Retreat

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Manistee, MI

Escape the hustle and bustle at Deer Run Retreat, a haven for those seeking tranquility and new memories in the embrace of nature. Here, you can wake up to the sight of deer grazing in the pasture and spend your evenings by the fireplace, gazing up at a sky adorned with countless stars. Our retreat offers a serene environment to unwind and relax, providing a peaceful getaway from the demands of everyday life. Whether you're drawn to the Little River Casino, historic downtown Manistee, or the array of outdoor activities like boating, fishing, tubing, and hiking, you'll find something for everyone in the surrounding area. We provide two gravel pads with full hook-ups for RVs and an additional grassy area with electric and water hook-ups. For those without their camper, we offer the option to rent a beautiful camper on-site. Deer Run Retreat is designed to be family-friendly, creating the perfect backdrop for building lasting memories with your loved ones. Come and rejuvenate at Deer Run Retreat, where the beauty of nature meets the comfort of a welcoming retreat. We can't wait to host your stay!

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Camp Aylaway

1 site · RV, Tent7 acres · Beulah, MI

Welcome to your beautiful base camp to explore all the best that Northern Michigan has to offer! You'll have 7 acres of land all to yourself, with a combination of pine and maple forests, located across from thousands of acres of State land with many snowmobile trails. Bring your bikes and head 1 mile on our dirt road to the Betsie River Trail where you can bike to Crystal Lake in 30 minutes. We're so close to Crystal Lake, Frankfort, Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, wine country, and many wonderful bars and restaurants. We're more than happy to send you recommendations of what to do, eat, and drink during your stay! We have a covered picnic area, campfire ring, and basic pit toilet on site, with water and electricity coming soon, but be prepared to bring what you need and please take everything you bring with you :) We can tell you where to get water nearby if needed. We welcome both tents and RVs on our land, and are happy to accommodate larger groups for an additional fee.

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Sportsman's Port Wellston PineRiver

49 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Wellston, MI

Gearing up for our 5th season as the new owners of The Sportsman's Port. We have made many updates and will continue to do so. We take pride in a clean bath house, and want everyone to have a great time at our campground. Sometimes it's crazy booked up and other times it may just be you. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and we will answer them as soon as we can. We look forward to meeting lots of new faces and hopefully starting family traditions for you and yours. We have spacious sites that are all different shapes and sizes. Depending on the site it may have 20/30/50 amp service depending on the site. There are currently only three that have 50 amp service. Also some sites have a septic hookup. Water fill station is located near the bathhouse. There is a private dump station also available for use just ask.

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PV's Campground and Resort

16 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · White Cloud, MI

We sit on over 50 acres that has been in our family for over 40 years.

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Bear Woods Resort

6 sites · Lodging, RVs65 acres · Bear Lake, MI

Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Northern Michigan, our enchanting 65-acre property offers an unforgettable escape into the heart of nature's beauty. Situated amidst rolling hills and woods, our property serves as a basecamp for your Northern Michigan adventure. From here, you'll find yourself conveniently positioned to explore all the region's hotspots, including the pristine Lake Michigan beaches, a round of golf at the acclaimed Acadia course, the iconic M22 drive, and visits to charming cities such as Frankfort, Traverse City, and Bear Lake. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, golfer, beach lover, or simply looking to soak up the local culture, our property offers the perfect starting point for your daily excursions. For those who prefer the comforts of home on the road, we offer three spacious RV full hook-up sites, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable stay. These sites provide all the essential amenities, including water, electricity, and sewer connections, making it convenient for RV enthusiasts to relax and recharge. Additionally, we offer a unique glamping experience with canvas tents that allow you to immerse yourself in the great outdoors while enjoying the comforts of a cozy retreat. As the sun sets, gather around a campfire, stargaze under the vast Michigan sky, and savor the tranquility of our secluded haven. Whether you're embarking on a romantic getaway, an adventure with friends and family, or a solo retreat, our 65-acre property welcomes you to experience the best of Northern Michigan.

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Llama Meadows Eco Farm BaseCamp

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · Benzonia, MI

Llama Meadows Farm is a sixteen acre organic fruit and vegetable farm. Located in Beautiful Benzie Country, in Northwestern Lower Michigan. We are one mile south of Crystal Lake and six miles east of Lake Michigan. Our-house is super insulated and passive solar. We had llamas for their wool and manure. We retired from raising llamas, we had 12 they got old and moved on. We have around 50 fruit trees. The fruit we grow includes apples, pears, figs and paw paws. We also grow grapes, and kiwis, we also put in filberts, walnuts and pecans. We have a beautiful labyrinth peace garden. We don't want barbecue pits on the ground it burns the grass Please check Extras for Pet fees, Campfire Wood and Electric.

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Winding River Campground

70 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Benzonia, MI

Majestic River Centric Campground is nestled on 11 acres of land overlooking the Betsie River. We are right off of US-31 before downtown Beulah. We are known as a fishing destination and many locals have said our 1900ft of frontage on the Betsie has the best fishing holes of any stretch from Homestead Dam to Grace Road. We have over 100+ camping sites with approx. 75 sites available for daily, weekly, and monthly rentals with a variety of stay options that meet your needs including RV rentals, tenting and car camping sites, river sites, highland sites close to the pool and camper amenities, glamping options, two cabin rentals, and one frame rental. Weekly and monthly activities include live music, food trucks, fishing lessons, tap takeovers, electric bikes, kayak rentals, hay rides, farm animals, crocket/horseshoe/bags tournaments and much more. Make your next Northern Michigan Visit HERE at Winding River Campground! For seasonal rates please call our main office and our staff can provide you with information. Open Dates: March 16 to November 1

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Gatehouse Family Camper

35 sites · Lodging, RVs5 acres · Crystal Mountain, MI

I have a 26 ft. JayCo Family bunk house Camper on a Full Service Site. This is on a private 5 acres with 18 ft. Fire pit, picnic tables with umbrellas, weber grills, and 2 frisbee cages to practice your throw We retired here next to Crystal Mountain so we could be near rivers and forest and Lake Michigan as we enjoy Hiking, walking, fishing and boating and golf and we got all of that within 1 mile of our private 5 acres, Note; i live on property and rent out a BnB in the house and rent out a cabin for 2 that has its own fire pit.

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The 40 Acre Wood

5 sites · Lodging40 acres · Shelby, MI

www.facebook.com/the40acrewood Before our forest was "owned," it belonged to the Odawa people. Once white settlers arrived and governments were established, land deeds were written. We traced those deeds back through the Oceana County Register of Deeds and found that larger tracts of land were owned by people from Chicago and California, which were later divided into smaller parcels. Interestingly, one owner lost the property after failing to pay back taxes of $3.50, shortly after World War II. It is likely that he never returned. In the mid-1900s, Ed Dewey was the owner. Today, we have a cabin on the east side of the 40 acres that was built by Ed, entirely constructed with oak. He had three sawmills there, each powered by the engines of old Studebakers. He cut and milled enormous oak trees, using the wood to construct crates for transporting cherries. Today, you can still see old oak crates on various farms, but they are slowly being replaced by plastic. Ed never finished the little cabin, and the story goes that he died there. The next owners were a couple from Inkster, near Detroit. Despite Ed leaving an acre of "yard art" all over, the place was used as a vacation home after a 50-foot long mobile home was placed near the cabin. As they aged, they sold off their property to us. First, we acquired the 20 acres where the Cozy Camper Cabin resides, then the 7 acres near Weaver Road and 44th, and finally, the remaining 13 acres with the cabin. We began purchasing the property in parcels in 1992 for $500 an acre and owned it all by 1998. From 1998 to 2008, we removed the mobile home, cleaned up all the yard art, refurbished the cabin, added a garage, and built a new shed nearby. The Hipcamp shed was originally built in 1999 and has been used for storage until it was converted into a unique little place in the woods in 2021. Over the years, our Forester has carefully managed the property. We have logged three times. The first round was to remove 75 huge oak trees. The second round involved culling mature poplar trees. The last time, we took out 276 mature oaks and beeches. A Woodsman spent a year cutting down the tops of the trees. Clearing these old growth trees revitalized the forest, as planned. Today, there are over two miles of trails running throughout the property. Some were logging roads, while others were carved out over time. The land is flat to the north but hilly to the south, as these are forested sand dunes. There are approximately a million trees on the property, densely forested with many large "mother trees" such as oaks, beeches, maples, and pines. The poplar trees are growing rapidly, as they do. Wild cherry, sassafras, beeches, oaks, and maples are also growing quickly and thickly. To the south, there are fenced-in asparagus fields and cherry orchards. To the north, on the other side of Weaver Road, is the privately owned Silver Lake Airport, which remains quiet most of the time. On the east side of our 40 acres, you'll find our cabin and buildings, and we kindly ask you to avoid wandering onto that side of the property. Signs will alert you when you get close. To the west, there is a 20-acre section occasionally occupied by some "Dunners." The area is famous for Silver Lake State Park and the sand dunes, located about 2.5 miles northwest of us. Our neighbors in that area have dune buggies, and they sometimes drive around their property, creating more noise than we prefer. It's possible that you may encounter this during your visit, so please be aware. Deer are abundant in the area, and in 2021, we spotted a porcupine for the first time, although we have occasionally seen evidence of their presence through bark-stripped maples. Raccoons come and go, while turkeys are frequent visitors at times. You can hear coyotes yipping away at night, and depending on the time of year and migratory season, you'll see lots and lots of birds. We're pleased to report that there is no poison ivy on the property! It is a beautiful place in the woods, not far from many entertaining activities suitable for both the young and old. Come and visit, but please be respectful of the land and our privacy while enjoying yours. Love Mother Earth while you are here and nourish your soul.

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Pine River Glamping Retreat

1 site · Lodging26 acres · Wellston, MI

The glamping tent is located in an existing campground at the Pine River Paddlesports Center. The campground itself is on 26 acres - the sites are all hedged around on 3 sites with woods and are generously spaced out from one another. It is a clean and quiet campground - you shouldn't be able to hear your neighbors, and they shouldn't be able to hear you. The tent does have electricity - there is one power strip that is enough to power a fan (provided in the tent!), and to charge phones. There is a queen-sized bed, but please bring your own bedding. Inside the tent is also a 'coffee nook' - complete with a one-burner propane stove, tea kettle, pour-over coffee system, and water pitcher. Potable water is available at the tent site (there is a water spigot outside). Outside of the tent there is a fire pit with an adjustable grate for cooking, a picnic table, and a locking trash can that we change daily for you. Our bathroom building is a short walk from the glamping tent. It is a modern restroom with a men's and a women's side, complete with hot, running water, flush toilets, and coin-operated showers. We are located in the Manistee National Forest. Our campground borders the National Forest. On site, there is a beautiful 1/4 mile deer trail walk through the National Forest that leads to a great overlook of the Pine River. Also on site is a frisbee golf course that is free to campers. Also located on site is the Paddlesports Center where we rent canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and rafts for paddling the Pine River.

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Harvest Village - Farmstay

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents12 acres · Le Roy, MI

Your Hosts - Dan and Arlene Cool: “We served as missionaries in South America for over 20 years. Our first assignment was in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, primarily at a school for missionary children, teaching Bible classes (Dan) and helping to start up and run a hot lunch program (Arlene). After this we ministered in Paraguay for 10 years. Our final years of missionary service were in Chile where we founded a missionary training school to train Chilean missionaries. Latin American students that we helped train are now serving around the world bringing hope and the Gospel to needy people. Harvest Village helps to support the ministries of our former students. We are excited to enter this new stage of our lives and to share our family’s centennial farm with people interested in healthier living and farm vacationing.”Your stay at Harvest Village helps bring hope to the hopeless; We set aside $1 /per guest, per night, to help our former students who are serving as missionaries in some of the neediest places around the world.

The best camping near Ludington State Park guide

Overview

About

Miles of sandy shores, forested dunes, and marshlands stretch between the east bank of Lake Michigan and the west bank of Hamlin Lake at Ludington State Park. Take your pick of lakeside beaches to swim, canoe, or boat, then head inland to tube, paddle, or fish along the Big Sable River. Prefer hiking? There are more than 24 miles of trails to explore, so perhaps hike to Big Sable Point Lighthouse or spot bald eagles along the Island Trail. Campers have options, too, with three campgrounds providing easy access to both lake shores, plus hike-in tent sites hidden away in the dunes.

Notable campgrounds

Best for beachside camping: Pines Campground has 100 sites, all with electric hook-ups, within a short walk of the beach
Best for winter campers: Cedar Campground is the only one of the campgrounds open year-round, although facilities are limited from November through March.
Best for boat access: Beechwood Campground has 148 sites, all with electric hook-ups, close to the swimming beach and boat launch on Hamlin Lake.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve sites at any of the three campgrounds at Ludington State Park via the Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations website.
Campsite reservations open six months in advance.
Campsites and cabins can fill up quickly for summer and holiday weekends, and it’s not uncommon for sites to book up as soon as they’re available. Plan well in advance and book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

When to go

There’s outdoor fun to be had in all four seasons. While the swimming beaches pull in the crowds in summer, leaf-peepers will want to hit the trails in fall, and come winter; there’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Camping is possible year-round, but two sites are seasonal—Beechwood opens from June through October only, while Pines opens from April through October.

Know before you go

Ludington State Park is on the east shore of Lake Michigan, seven miles north of Ludington or about a 10-minute drive away.
A Recreation Passport is required to visit all Michigan state parks. Camping reservation fees also apply.
Facilities include picnic areas, restrooms, and food concessions at both beaches. Hamlin Lake also has a boat launch and kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard rentals.
There are accessible campsites, restrooms, and swimming beaches at Ludington State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Ludington State Park?

Camping fees at Ludington State Park vary depending on the type of campsite and the time of year. In general, you can expect to pay between $25 to $35 per night for a standard campsite. Rates may be higher for premium sites or those with full hookups. It's important to note that a Michigan Recreation Passport is also required for entry to the park, which costs $12 for Michigan residents and $34 for non-residents annually, or $9 for a non-resident daily pass. You can find more information on Ludington State Park camping and make reservations through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

How many campsites are in Ludington State Park?

Ludington State Park in Michigan offers three modern campgrounds with a total of 352 campsites. The three campgrounds are Pines Campground, Cedar Campground, and Beechwood Campground. These campgrounds provide a variety of amenities, including electrical hookups, restrooms, and showers. To learn more about camping options in Ludington State Park, visit the Hipcamp Ludington State Park page.

Are dogs allowed at Ludington State Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Ludington State Park, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under the owner's control at all times. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets and ensuring they do not disturb other park visitors. However, dogs are not allowed in certain areas of the park, such as the swimming beach, picnic areas, or inside park buildings. There are designated pet-friendly areas within the park where your dog can enjoy the outdoors with you.