Forest camping in Michigan with swimming

With lakes and forests covering two-thirds of the state, Michigan is a camper's paradise.

95% (6569 reviews)
95% (6569 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Michigan

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top forest campgrounds in Michigan with swimming

97%
(300)

Million $ Sunset Camp

8 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Harbor Springs, MI
Pitch your tent and listen to the waves of Sturgeon Bay on Lake Michigan. Fantastic Sunsets. Located half way between Harbor Springs and Mackinaw City. Walking distance to famous Legs Inn in Cross Village, MI. The property currently includes 8 campsites with a board walk on the east portion of the Lake side portion of the property to access the Lake MI Beach.
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$30
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100%
(6)

Campit Outdoor Resort Saugatuck

44 sites · Lodging, Tents36 acres · Fennville, MI
Campit is a LGBTQ + resort that is open to all. We are 21+ only on all weekends. We are a membership community requiring a valid $15 yearly membership. We are a beautiful 36 acre resort offering themed weekends from April 1st to October 31st. Many options to fit any budget including $10 tenting, RV sites, many cabin options, and a bed and breakfast style lodging unit. The resort features a large heated pool, general store, 4 large bathhouses, and many trails throughout the park. Campit emphasizes giving back in all of our themed weekends by hosting charitable after parties supporting Woman, Transgender Health, LGBTQ Youth, and so much more. Campit is a 21+ Resort Friday-Sunday, and Thursday-Monday on Holiday weekends. Guests with children are welcome on weekday stays. We are a membership community and guests must have a valid yearly membership of $15.00 that can be purchased directly after booking or at the time of check in.
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$10
 / night
95%
(355)

Superior Times Resort & Campground

33 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Au Train, MI
Hello, and welcome to Superior Times Resort and Campground! We would like to take a moment and introduce ourselves. Our names are Tom and Heather Holmstrom. We were married in 2016 and have four children as part of our blended family. We are both originally from the Upper Peninsula. Superior Times Resort and Campground was the result of us wanting to do something “outside of the box” that would allow us to raise our family and show them there is more out there than the traditional path. We also wanted showcase our love and respect for the beauty of the Upper Peninsula; the area that many refer to as “God’s Country.” In December of 2016, we mistakenly pulled into the driveway of this property. At that time, it was known as Coleman’s Paradise Resort. There was a For Sale sign marking the property. We both knew at that point our fate was sealed to become this property’s new owners. We learned that this property had been a family vacation destination for nearly 100 years. We could only imagine the special memories that had been made here over the years! We wanted to become a part of that deep history. Through the many years of the resort’s history, the owners had changed and the cabins were showing true signs of their age. We knew there was A LOT of work that simply had to be done. On a wing and prayer, we somehow made this great resort ours. In April of 2017, we opened what we named Superior Times Resort and Campground. We pulled up or sleeves and went to work! Thank you for choosing us and allowing us to be part of the memories that you create here. We know that you work hard for your own money, as we do. Knowing that you chose our resort to support, means a lot to our Superior Times and Resort family team. We truly appreciate your loyalty and give special thanks to our returning customers. There is nothing more rewarding to us than a return visit! It means to us that we have exceeded your expectations. Thank you for considering us for your next vacation! Tom and Heather Holmstrom
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$35
 / night
98%
(179)

Andy’s Wolf Traxx

5 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Newberry, MI
This property is heavily wooded with pine and maple trees. Wild raspberry and blueberries are found to be plentiful in season. Formerly wooded by lumberjacks during the early 1900’s, this area is rich with history and sights to see. Located between Seney National Wildlife Refugee and Grand Mairas on Lake Superior.
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$35
 / night
99%
(443)

Camp Moonshadow

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Honor, MI
Our property was originally the only homestead on this road. WE offer 4 Walk in Tent sites and a RV site for small campers up 20 ft.- 20 Amp service Only!!! WE also have a 59 Vintage Shasta that rents nightly up to 3 nites The big barn was built over 100 years ago and is still standing. The farm house was built in 1907. It has been remodeled with a second story added. Pine trees were planted to prevent erosion in the 1960's. The national park began buying land near us in the 1970's and the boundary line to the park is a half-mile from Moonshadow Camp. The area is surrounded by state forests and many hiking and biking trails. Our valley is known for incredible stargazing. Amenities include full access to the Camp kitchen and dining area. You will also have access to a Portable restroom and hand washing station which is located by our BIG BARN. Hot Showers, no problem, you can enjoy a secluded private shower in our shower house which has indoor and outdoor showers. Nearby is Lake Michigan and Esch Rd beach. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake shore is nearby and The National Park is famous for attractions , trails, and hiking. Electricity and water is included at the RV site, and the Shasta Camper along with the Showerhouse and Camp Kitchen
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$60
 / night
100%
(568)

Mulln-Heim Vineyards

3 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Baroda, MI
This is a 3rd generation "Family Farm" of a different sort I suppose. Seems there's a bit of everything here, and arguably not enough of anything. At least for conventional farming. So we've learned to do things a bit differently.Our main crop is wine and juice grapes since our topography, climate, and soil type makes it a premier location for that. But with 30+ acres of forested hillsides, low ground, and natural areas we've evolved into a mixed farm and forest enterprise. Our goal is to utilize the productivity of all our property while still retaining the basic character and usefulness of the wild areas. Letting each thing be what it wants to be and does best on it's own. Flow, not force.So our year starts early with tapping maple trees and making maple syrup. Plus there's grape trimming about this time as well. When the forest floor starts to green up a bit later, we start digging Ramps, or Wild Leeks in the woods. Most of these will go to the more trendy Chicago restaurants, but we also have some local sales. Next comes inoculating winter-cut logs with Shiitake spawn for next years mushroom production. This year we also conducted a few hands-on workshop seminars on mushroom growing as well. Then it's on to our raised bed herb & veggie gardens. (Fresh herbs are just so much fun to cook with!) We grow enough for our own yearly use, as well as some for direct sales. Summer keeps us busy tending all the different crops here and trying to keep up. But there's that steady progression of fresh veggies to eat. Yum !!! Fall brings our annual Grape U-Pick in September and October. And we try to time related crops like mums, pumpkins, and gourds for this same time frame. Makes the place a bit more interesting. Late fall is when we bring in firewood to heat the house and workshop. Stacks of wood everywhere. Hopefully before the 1st snow. In winter it's time to fire up the woodworking shop and be a bit creative. Build furniture, equipment maintenance, who knows what next years projects will include. I like to keep everybody guessing.So, that's what goes on here. You're welcome to check it out, lend a hand, relax back at camp, walk the vineyards and/or forest, or just breathe and relax. That's up to you. But I would recommend visiting a few of the fine local wineries. Seems there's a festival going on at one or another of them just about every weekend. Good music, good wine, good times. And there's the Lake Michigan beaches a few miles down the road.Yeah, this is a pretty casual place here, love meeting new people, very open to civil discussions of all sorts.However, rude, ill mannered people will probably enjoy staying elsewhere. Just say'n.
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$50
 / night
97%
(246)

Life Adventures

4 sites · RVs, Tents43 acres · Saranac, MI
Sleep to the sound of tree frogs, owls, distant coyotes, and maybe even wake to sounds of chickens in the morning. Walk thru a glitter of fire flies down a trail at night. My black lab Luke will likely visit your site to say hello and is super chill. Only 30 minutes east of Grand Rapids, this property was established as a Youth Camp for 15 years is now a private event venue and campground, so it has nice amenities like FULL restrooms, a picnic shelter, and even a few small cabins that can be rented. Swimming beach is available in Lowell a few miles away. Fishing rivers and lakes are also in the area. (live bait in Saranac) Woods site and Open Area have a few different locations you can choose from. If woods or open shows booked already, please contact me. Additional fee of $20 per extra tent/camper that sleeps an adult. Picnic shelter is also available. Use my website to RSVP entire camp area for an event such as wedding.
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$20
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98%
(382)

Lynx Run Wilderness Retreat

8 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Stanwood, MI
My property (Lynx Run) has an amazing geological and historical background. During the last ice age, glacial waters carved out the ravine in which the Betts Creek flows.  Sometimes, the creek drops over 60 feet below the surrounding terrain as it meanders back and forth in oxbows as it flows toward the Muskegon River.  It was once the hunting, foraging and camping grounds of the Potawatami Indians.  In the late 1800's it was at the center of the Michigan Timber Industry.  Running along the edge of my property is the old railroad bed where timber was once hauled away.  Only two miles from my home, the logs were sent down the side of the hill and into the Muskegon River on log chutes and then floated to where the Muskegon empties into Lake Michigan.  Piles of field stones indicate that after the timber industry moved on, farmers moved in and attempted to tame the land.  But, fortunately for me, the land was abandoned by the farmers and has returned to a much more natural and pristine state.  My land is now a part of the Manistee National Forest and I am surrounded by thousands of acres of beautiful land (both public and private).  I am the only person who lives back here in this part of the forest, so seclusion and privacy are wonderful and the wildlife and beauty is abundant.
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$50
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98%
(101)

High Swamp Camp

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Seney, MI
*2023 👍100%* Very Close To The Pictured Rocks! Large Private Campsites! Flush-T. & shower! Morning coffee & weather! Guest room available! Please use book exchange! Miles of Hiking Trails. Close to the Fox River Trout Stream. Fishing & Hunting. Close to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. 1.5 hours to the Tahquamenon Falls. 1.5 hours to the Big Springs. 2 hours to Mackinaw Island. 2 hours to the Soo Locks. Only 1\4 Mile From OHV Trail-88. Please review details using show more before booking! Text for details.
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$40
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62%
(49)

Mountain Magic

17 sites · Lodging, RVs, TentsNaubinway, MI
Mountain Magic was purchased 10 years ago to begin an off-grid dream for self-reliant Wilderness Survivalist Kellie Nightlinger of Naked and Afraid fame. Kellie is the top-ranked female survivalist in the world as voted on thetoptens.com/survivalexpertskellienightlinger. Kellie teaches wilderness survival and is building her own log cabin on adjacent property to the HipCamp site. Kellie and her new life-partner Rich would be available to teach Survival and off-grid skills to campers schedule permitting. Kellie searched for the perfect off-grid property for 8 years before buying Mountain Magic. The property is steep mountainous terrain with in hiking distance of the Continental Divide Trail. The property is one of the few properties near the trail as one would traverse from the Canadian border in a sourtherly hike or bike or ride before reaching the second paved road transecting the Continental Divide Trail south of the Canadian Border. There are often Elk, Mule Deer, and occasionally White Tail Deer, Mountain Lion, Black Bear and once in a blue moon a Grizzly Bear on the property. Mountain Magic has a great view down a Long valley leading to the Rocky Mountain Front and the Great Plains. The property is situated between 5400-6000’ in elevation. Mountain Magic can be accessed in non-snowy conditions via a private back-County road that switchbacks up the mountainsides from a paved State Highway. In months with snow this off-grid gem can be accessed via snowshoe, AT Skis, Telemark Skis, Snow Cat, or Snowmobile. Transportation may be available by Kellie or Rich depending upon schedule. Mountain Magic is located behind a private gate. Kellie’s log cabin build is now being completed by The Kellie and Rich Team. Cabin amenities available to HipCampers are up for negotiation and consideration. Some possible amenities provided to HipCampers could be drinking water, campfire wood, cooking campifire greats, other camping gear including but not limited to an all inclusive gear package with tent and sleep systems and cooking systems or Camp Hammock set up. The entire camp could also be set up in advance of a HipCampers arrival upon schedule and negotiation agreement. This is an off-grid paradise with Trout Fishing available 1/2 hour away. The mountains are calling; what are you waiting for? A work-Camp trade can also be a possibility.
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$20
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99%
(270)

Jackson Station Leelanau

4 sites · Tents32 acres · Maple City, MI
Our sites accomodate 2 adults and their minors, with 1-2 vehicles at your site's access point. If you're traveling more than 2 adults please book more than one camp site. Enjoy a peaceful outdoor experience in beautiful Leelanau County via Agritourism at Jackson Station on the Leelanau Peninsula! Our property has 4 private sites situated among a dense pine forest on our small-scale farm.  We're located conveniently between the two popular vacation destinations of Glen Arbor and Leland, MI - both a short scenic drive in either direction. The Leelanau Peninsula is littered with recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, beaches, boating, fishing, dining, shopping and wine tasting, and of course the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore! Our farm produces pastured, all natural meat, including pork, beef, chicken and goat. Find the hens roaming around and see the pigs, cows and goats hanging out in the fenced-in areas. A variety of cuts of meat from our freezers are available for sale or get a tour of the farmstead ~ Just ask! You may simply enjoy the scene at your leisure. SITE DETAILS: Each camp site has a bed of woodchips, gravel surrounding a bonfire ring, a clothesline and neatly stacked firewood for sale. Our sites may accomodate 2 adults and their minors. We recommend that larger groups or multiple adults book more than one site next to each other (sites 1 and 2 or 2 and 3 are good for this). Quiet hours are enforced between 10pm-7am. This is our home and farm, not a campground, please think of staying here in that way. A short walk from camp, down the farm road to the north end of the livestock fence, you'll find access to a water pump for delicious drinking water straight from our well, so that you may fill containers of water or utilize for rinsing.  Our land borders the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. You'll be just a few miles from access to beautiful Lake Michigan beaches. Relax in the sand, hunt for rocks, hike a trail, kayak or paddle-board and watch an epic sunset.  We are just down the road from the uninhabited School Lake, known for its fishing from non-motorized boats or a quiet place to paddle. Additionally, just 2 Miles away you can access the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, a non-motorized 27 mile groomed trail that follows the scenic M-22 from our location all the way to Empire, MI. This trail is open year round to walk, run, bicycle, snowshoe or cross-country ski. 2.8 miles in the other direction from our camp, you'll find a Mountain Bikers paradise at Palmer Woods Forest Preserve, with various hiking trails and a 6 mile mountain bike trail.
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$40
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99%
(75)

Oak Ridge Farm

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Coleman, MI
Oak Ridge Farm is located on 80 acres in the Mid-Michigan area, halfway between Midland and Mt. Pleasant. We are in the process of creating a self-sustainable, homestead vegetable and fruit farm. Our property is quiet, and the moon and stars are amazing to see on a clear night. If you're looking for a quiet place to get away from it all, look no further! There is plenty to see and do right around our property. Lots of wildlife including; Sandhill Cranes, deer, turkeys, porcupines, geese, rabbits etc. We have a walking/hiking path that you can explore through our property as well as hundreds of acres of state land right next door! Campsites are situated around our beautiful pond where the sunrises cannot be beat. Kayaks and a row boat are available for our guests to explore the pond. The AuSable State Forest neighbors our property line and can be accessed from multiple different areas right near the property. There are many trails for horseback riding, dirt bikes, ATVs/UTVs, hiking and mountain biking. The Chippewa River is very close and many enjoy kayaking, canoeing or tubing this river. Only 18 mins away is the Pine Haven Recreation Area in Sanford. This park has 12 miles of hiking, cross country skiing and mountain biking trails. Horseback riding trails are also available at this park. Places to see and things to do: - Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, Mt. Pleasant - Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant - Isabella County Farmers Market, Mt. Pleasant - Great Lakes Loons at Dow Diamond, Midland - Dow Gardens, Midland - Whiting Forest (Nation's Longest Canopy Walk), Midland -Midland Area Farmers Market - 1 hour from beautiful Higgins Lake - 45 minutes from Bay City - Sanford Lake restoration estimated late 2024 Midland and Mt. Pleasant are each located about 20-25 mins from our property. Please note that campsites are rustic. Porta-john, hose connect water and shower house are available during seasonal times (May 1 to Oct 1). Campfire rings are located at each campsite and firewood is available to purchase. My family and I live full-time on our property. We have 3 young children and a sweet dog that loves people and other kids. On hot summer days we often join our campers at the pond to cool off! On weekends we love to work in our large garden, take care of our chickens, have a campfire, and play outside. We are so excited to host you this camping season and hope you enjoy your stay at Peaceful Pines on Oakridge Farm! Check out our Facebook page for more info on our property: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556605364913&mibextid=LQQJ4d
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$25
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Star Hosts in Michigan

Value Prop
Value Prop

Forest camping in Michigan with swimming guide

Overview

When it comes to natural attractions, Michigan holds all the aces. This landlocked state has more state parks and state forests than any other, miles of coastline, and more than 10,000 lakes—which means you’ll never be more than six miles from the water. Some of the best camping is found on the beaches and islands of the Great Lakes, so plan a summer getaway to swim, fish, and kayak, or a fall camping trip to admire Michigan’s spectacular foliage. Winter is best suited for RV camping, with snow blanketing much of the state from November through March.

Where to go

​Upper Peninsula

The Upper Peninsula is Michigan’s wild toupée, with swathes of old-growth forests, sandy beaches, and inland lakes stretching along the southern shore of Lake Superior. This is the spot to escape the crowds, whether pitching your tent by the sand dunes in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, parking your RV by a waterfall in Tahquamenon Falls State Park, or yurt camping in the Porcupine Mountains. For the ultimate camping experience, the Hiawatha National Forest has some 60 campsites to choose from.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Bordered by Lake Michigan to the West and Lake Huron to the east, the northern Lower Peninsula has the highest concentration of Michigan state parks. Miles of mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking trails await in the Huron National Forest, where you can choose from modern campgrounds or backcountry camping. Along the coast, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-see, Wilderness State Park is a dark sky reserve, and Ludington State Park Beach is a family favorite.

Southwest Michigan

Grand Rapids is the gateway to Michigan’s southwest, where the shore of Lake Michigan provides plenty of options for a summer camping trip. Lakefront cities such as South Haven, Benton Harbor, and Holland have sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, and seafront campgrounds. Forget tent camping in the wilderness—RV sites come equipped with full hookups, playgrounds, and watercraft rentals.

Southeast Michigan

Michigan's "Thumb" juts out along the west shore of Lake Huron, where Sleeper State Park and Port Crescent State Park are the big draws for campers. Below this, the west coast is ideal for a road trip, peppered with shipwreck dive sites, secluded beaches, and golf courses. South of Detroit and Lake St. Clair, Sterling State Park is the only state park on the shore of Lake Erie, with a mix of RV and tent sites by the beach.

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