Camping in Michigan

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

97% (12911 reviews)
97% (12911 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Michigan

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campgrounds in Michigan

99%
(513)

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
99%
(376)

Bear Tree Homestead

3 sites · Lodging50 acres · Trowbridge Park, MI
Bear Tree Homestead is nestled among the cliffs and ravines which drains the south face of Hogback Mountain located in Marquette Township Michigan. Hogback Mountain is one of the larger rock formations in the Huron Range, a surprisingly rugged, and diverse region of low mountains carved by glaciers. Each cabin is hand-built of log and stone using traditional Scandinavian building tools and techniques. Our buildings, gardens, and pastures are integrated into the forested landscape and are not your typical homestead. One of the most wonderful things we have to offer is the accessibility to thousands of protected acres surrounding us and the trails that bisect them. We are located 8 miles from downtown Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where there are many great restaurants, shops, and brewpubs. However, once you drive into Bear Tree Homestead and settle in you will not want to leave.
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$95
 / night
100%
(66)

McCormick Artisans Woods/River

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents33 acres · Jonesville, MI
We bought this property in 2012 and have built several buildings and forged paths throughout the 32 acres. Our road is part of the North Country Trail, a footpath stretching over 4,600 miles from Middlebury in central Vermont to Lake Sakakawea State Park in central North Dakota. While tearing down the existing house, we constructed two bedrooms in the pole barn for a quick living space. Once settled in the pole barn, we a built a small log cabin with already felled timbers from the local woods, except for the box frame which was purchased from the local Amish. Prior to building our permanent log cabin home, this small cabin was our camp site and is now being rented to people that want to relax and enjoy the outdoors. In the middle of the woods, we created a campground to be enjoyed by hikers and on the North side of our property is a tree line between two fields that is a great small camper/tent camping spot.
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$38
 / night
96%
(282)

Life Adventures

4 sites · Lodging, 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 labs Luke and Kiwi will likely visit your site to say hello and are super chill. 2 disc golf Black Hole Pro baskets on site to practice with. 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
 / night
100%
(619)

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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$40
 / night

Star Hosts in Michigan

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Michigan 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

In Michigan, you can often camp for free in designated areas or dispersed camping zones within its national forests, such as the Hiawatha National Forest and the Huron-Manistee National Forest. However, some areas may require fees or permits. These forests offer dispersed, primitive camping with no facilities. You'll need to come prepared and follow Leave No Trace principles. Additionally, some state forest lands also allow free dispersed camping, but it's essential to check the specific regulations for each area before setting up camp.

Yes, Michigan offers excellent camping opportunities, with diverse landscapes, numerous state parks, and beautiful natural attractions. You'll find over 1,000 campgrounds throughout the state, ranging from rustic and primitive sites to well-maintained and modern facilities. Michigan is home to two peninsulas, each with its own unique camping experiences.

The Lower Peninsula boasts beautiful lakeshores, sand dunes, and bustling cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids. Popular camping destinations include Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Ludington State Park.

The Upper Peninsula offers a more remote and rugged experience, with vast forests, waterfalls, and the shores of Lake Superior. Must-visit camping spots include Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Whether you're into tent camping, RVing, or glamping, Michigan has something for everyone. For more camping options in Michigan, you can explore Hipcamp.

The best month to camp in Michigan is typically September. During this time, the weather is generally mild and comfortable, with daytime temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F. Additionally, September offers beautiful fall foliage, fewer bugs, and less crowded campgrounds compared to the peak summer months. However, if you prefer warmer temperatures for swimming and water activities, consider camping in Michigan during the summer months of June, July, or August.

Yes, boondocking, also known as dispersed camping, is legal in Michigan on public lands, such as national forests and some state forests. In Michigan, you can boondock in areas like the Huron-Manistee National Forests and the Hiawatha National Forest. There are also private properties available for boondocking through Hipcamp. Be sure to follow the rules and regulations for each specific area, such as staying within designated areas, practicing Leave No Trace principles, and adhering to any fire restrictions.

In fall, camping is available in many of Michigan's various state parks, such as Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Ludington State Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Michigan camping is especially beautiful in fall thanks to vibrant fall colors.

Top regions in and near Michigan

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