Echo Valley Forest

97%

81 reviews

· Empire, Leelanau, Michigan · 40 acres

Hosted by Liana M.

RV/tent site

· 12 guests max

Liana is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Off-leash friendly

Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.

All to yourself

100% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.

Echo Valley Forest Reserve is a backcountry site located deep within the forest near the center of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, ten minutes from Empire Beach, Glen Haven, and Glen Arbor. The camp site is completely private, with only party rented to at a time. It is in the center of a 40-acre parcel, surrounded by thousands of acres of National Lakeshore and private forested land. Access is off of a rough seasonal two-track but most 2-wheel drive cars are fine. Watch out for rocks. There are solar lights, a pit toilet, a fire ring, and a ~8x8' deck. There is room for 4 cars, and as many tents as you can set up. We have 4 rules: 1) Leave no trace. Do not leave garbage at camp. DO NOT BURN garbage, people cook in that pit. 2) NO cutting into the live trees. You will get a 0-star review, 100% of the time. 3) Keep cars on the gravel driveway. 4) Put out all fires completely (COLD) and respect any Burn Bans that may be active at the time of your stay. These are issued by the fire department, not me.2025 Update: We are going to make some improvements sometime this summer, but not sure on the timing, so I blocked most dates. If you have a specific inquiry, feel free to DM me. There is only one site at this property (i.e. you get the whole place to yourself). It is a partially wooded, 2-acre area with a half-acre meadow in the middle of the 40-acre private wooded parcel. You can camp anywhere you like in the 2-acres. There are hammock trees, a small deck (~8'x8'), and a few flattened areas for tents. You can drive up to the site, but not throughout the site. There are two fire pits, one in the meadow and one when you first pull up in the woods. The camp currently has solar string lights that you can turn on or off as desired, a pit toilet with a solar motion sensor light and a mirror, and a bin that has some basics that vary depending what people leave, and what people use. You will want to bring TP in case there is none in the pit toilet and firewood (can be purchased on Plowman Rd or Benzonia Trail). Nothing is restocked regularly or maintained. See Property Description for more information.

RV details

Campervans and Cars allowed

Echo Valley Road is a seasonal two-track and the driveway to the campsite is steep, so we do not recommend driving in with an RV or camper trailer, unless it is quite small, and you are experienced at driving down rough roads with it.

Vehicles under 13 feet allowed

Pull-in site

Accommodates slideouts

Surface type: Loose Gravel

Surface levelness: Flat

No Travel trailers, Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Pop-up campers, Class A RVs, Class B RVs, and Class C RVs

No electrical hookup

No water hookup

No sewage hookup

No TV hookup

Generators not allowed

What to expect

RV/tent site

You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.

12 guests max

Campfires allowed

Firepit, private. There is a fire ring in the meadow and a pit in the forested area. Please keep fires in the pit and put out completely before leaving. There is firewood for sale at several roadside stands within a mile of the camp on Benzonia Trail and Plowman Rd. Please do not bring firewood from home, this spreads tree pests and disease. Please Note: If the FIRE BAN is turned on that means there is a township-wide Burn Ban issued by the DNR and/or Fire Department due to drought conditions and high risk of wildfire. Please see burn ban status here: https://www.dnr.state.mi.us/BurnPermits/Search.aspx?LEELANAU We are in Empire township; if it says "no" in the Burn Permits Issued? column, then outdoor fires are not permitted by the local fire department.

Toilet available

Pit toilet

Pets allowed

Off leash, on leash. There are definitely several resident porcupines and black bear so if your dog likes to explore or chase animals please leash them, you will thank yourself.

Cooking equipment present

Grill over firepit. There are grates that go over each fire pit that you can use, and there is a smaller grate in the storage bin for more precise placement over the fire.

No potable water

Bring your own water

No showers

Bathe in lake, bathe in river or stream. There are a ton of public beaches in the park, please use a biodegradable soap.

Pack it out

Leave no trace, which means that you pack out all of your garbage. DO NOT BURN GARBAGE - people cook on the fire. Remains of melted plastic do not leave a good flavor on a steak.

Picnic table absent

No wifi

Laundry absent

Hot Tub absent

No playground

Things to know

Getting there

Check in: After 2:00 PM

Check out: Before 12:00 PM

On arrival: Head straight to site

Cancellation policy: Moderate

Minimum nights: 1 night

Accepts bookings: 12 months out

Park at listing

Wheelchair access

Max 4 vehicles

2WD accessible

The road is a rough dirt road, and high clearance is nice, but not necessary. Probably don't bring your sports car.

During your trip

Follow the

Leave it better

Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.

Reviews

97% Recommend105 ratings · 81 reviews

Madalyn S.

4 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· September 2024

Private campsite

Tent

VERY SECLUDED! A great campsite of the beaten path with all the necessities. It has a well maintained out-house, dry fire wood, and everything you would need to do some campfire cooking. Also, the solar camp lights were a nice touch. We will be coming back!

Carina G.

7 months on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2024

Tent · With kids

Perfect, clean, private location. Loved our stay!!

Ashley S.

2 reviews

Recommends

· August 2024

Tent · With kids

Amazing site- will be back! Beautiful land and space for a large setup.

Kristina J.

1 year on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2024

Tent

This was an amazing little spot, and the host has most everything one might have forgotten (and more) to use on site so you don't have to wander back to civilization. The solar powered string of lights made camp feel magical, as well! 10/10 would recommend/stay again

Lindsay R.

5 reviews

Recommends

· August 2024

Paradise

16 ft car

This spot was paradise! Everything was perfect for our first time primitive camping!

Jeff R.

5 years on Hipcamp

Recommends

· August 2024

Book this quiet spot now.