The best camping near Lake Michigan

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Michigan adventure.

Lake Michigan: A Freshwater Paradise with Endless Adventure.

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Community favorites near Lake Michigan

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Michigan

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Clear Water Camp

12 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Waupaca, WI

A private sanctuary with 30 acres located just north of Waupaca's Chain O' Lakes with groomed hiking and/or biking trails. Terrain is varied with ponds, hills, and valleys. Shower, potable water, and rec room available. Firewood is available for purchase in addition to a 24 x 32 rec room/storm shelter. Kayaks and SUPs available to rent too! The rec room offers a fun room full of games (ping pong, darts, and other fun games) and a living room area with multiple TVs. We have a kitchen area with a refrigerator (no water) with snacks, pizza, and beverages available. Head into town for shopping, coffee, and baked treats. Or head to the Chain for crystal clear water, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, skiing, or dining at one of Waupaca's signature restaurants. Clear Water Camping has a rich history. The location is where the stagecoach house (still standing) was built in 1847 to support the nearby granite quarry.

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Purplehaze Acres

9 sites · Lodging, Tents60 acres · Rubicon, WI

Purplehaze Acres is a 60-acre organic rustic farm in Rubicon, WI and resides at the beginning of the approx. 650-mile Niagara Escarpment--known locally as "The Ledge". We are in close proximity to the Ice Age Trail, and the natural treasures of the great Horicon Marsh, Lake Sinnissipi/Rock River with canoeing/kayaking/fishing, Ledges County Park, and the world-renowned Holy Hill Shrine. Nearby Hustisford ("Husti") offers unique shopping and dining experiences, such as the Mercantile and Mocha Vino. Need a few organic groceries? Make sure to visit Back To The Best Organic grocer only 3 miles away, featuring food raised on local organic farms including Purplehaze Acres. Potable water, charcoal grills, firepit grates, eggs and available for purchase--firewood. COMING SOON: Did you forget something? If so, check out our Camp Cupboard Store. Your approach via 1/2-mile dirt drive up the hills and through the woods . . . to not your grandmother's typical house you go. You'll find wonderful vistas, wildflowers, berries, trails up into the woods, a 900' grass runway for aviators on an overall great "peace" of earth. ☮

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Cricket Ranch

5 sites · Tents53 acres · Cascade, WI

We are honored to again be named one of the Best Hipcamps in Wisconsin for 2024. Thank you to our guests for your wonderful reviews and helpful suggestions! And a special thank you to one of our guests, Brandon "Da Garbage Disposal" Clark, for featuring Cricket Ranch in his YouTube series "Outdoors Unsupervised: Survival Season 6". Learn more about this land: Cricket Ranch is a crazy combo of Nature's past, present, and future. The property was a farm with 75% of it corn fields until 30 years ago. It has been virtually untouched since then and in just a few decades it has reinvented itself as a forest. Chambers Creek runs thru the west side of the property. As a headwater of the Milwaukee River, it is part of the Great Lakes Basin and a source for Lake Michigan. Wisconsin has identified Chambers Creek as an Exceptional Resource Water (ERWs), Less than 10% of Wisconsin waterways carry this designation. What we do (or don't do) now affects the Great Lakes later. And you'll find fossils in the rock walls of some of the earliest examples of complex life on Earth (from 460 mya, Ordovician, Cambrian). No digging required. Seriously. How they got there is a very long story in the making and involves ancient inland seas, plate tectonics, glaciers, German immigrants, and 19th-20th century farming. Off the Beaten Path @ Cricket Ranch provides a true back to nature environment for campers, sometimes called "backcountry camping". Located on 50 acres of private forest, field, and valley, our campsites are very secluded and separated by acres of woodland. Each layout is unique, embracing what nature has provided. Backpacking (or wagoning) to your camp from the parking area is necessary as the 5' wide paths do not accommodate cars/trucks. Hiking distance from parking area: (1) Camp Cricket is 600 Ft. (2) Haen Hollow is 250 ft. (3) Rocky Top is 700 ft. (4) Grapeline is 1000 ft. Feel fee to explore the land! We are located near the Niagara Escarpment so, as previously mentioned, you might even find a 460 million year old fossil on one of the field rock walls. Keep it! So we can keep a count of how many are found, and out of an overabundance of curiosity, please let us know and send some pics of your find. Chambers Creek provides a spot to cool your feet, stone step, or just listen to the relaxing sound of a babbling brook. The creek is overgrown with brush so access is limited but we do have a trail that follows the creek for about 300 yds. We intend to clear some more of the underbrush in the near future to allow for better enjoyment and management of this invaluable natural resource. Near by: Kettle Moraine National Forest is a 10 minute drive, boasting great hiking and the can't-miss-it view from atop Parnell Tower. Lake Ellen has a nice no-fee public boat landing just 2 miles away. The lake has clear water and is stocked periodically with Pike and Walleye. It is surprising how un-busy this lake is so bring your boat, kayak, paddle board, and/or assorted flotation devices and check it out. Our parking area can accommodate boat trailers during your stay.

Hattie Sherwood Campground

36 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Green Lake, WI

Hattie Sherwood Campground includes amenities such as. This campground is located at 451 S Lawson Drive in Green Lake, WI, and is open May 1 - Oct 15. Open Dates: May 15 to October 20

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Sunshine Farmette

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Fremont, WI

One of the first farms in the area, dating back to 1860’s. Grainery is believed to be the oldest building, followed by the house. The original house was a log cabin and added onto making it into 2 story house today. The current Barn was built in the early 1900’s. The property was once dairy farm, and plant nursery. Enjoy the trails and the lawn around the barn. Be cautious of stinging neetle. Many birds; morning doves, thrushes, catbirds, green herons, gold finches and many more are seen. Raccoons, squirrels, snakes, turtles, deer, rabbits and have been seen 🦌🦝🐇 Learn more about this land: Rustic Farmette located on quiet county road. A gravel area is available for cars and campers. A above ground fire pit lined with logs for sitting is available. Electricity can be made available upon request. Nighttime is filled with the sound and sights of local wildlife. Barred owls, frogs and song birds of all types frequent the property. Raccoons🦝 have been seen in the area, so always take food precautions. Absolutely perfect for stargazing on clear nights. Small town Fremont offers the basics and much more. Wolf River, Wiouwash State Trail, Fremont Beach on Partridge Lake are only 10-15 minutes away. Appleton & Oshkosh only 25 minutes away.

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Leon's Lakeview Campground

3 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Stockbridge, WI

This site is a 25-acre parcel of land which is part of the "Niagara Escarpment" and offers breathtaking views of Lake Winnebago along with beautiful sunsets. Consists of approximately 20 acres of wildflowers and prairie grasses and 5 acres of woodlands. There are grass walking trails around the entire perimeter and three spacious campsites to choose from. Conveniently located, just minutes away from High Cliff State Park, Calumet County Park, Columbia Park, Mulberry Lane Farm, LaClare Creamery, Ziegler Winery, shopping, restaurants, supper clubs, live music venues and much more.

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Small Orchard on 150 acre Farm

5 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · Ixonia, WI

CAMPSITE IS LOCATED IN THE ORCHARD. Please do not enter the main farm driveway. If you are not looking at Apple trees you are in the wrong place. Pets need to be on a leash and cleaned up after. Please do not leave them out of the orchard. My grandfather purchased the property and everything you can see 360° around you in 1953. The orchard was started in 1962 and the large trees date back to that time and still produce apples. My dad took over in 1985 and it has been part of my life ever since. After my dads passing in 2017 the property fell to me. At it's peak there were 85 trees that produced 500 bushels of apples per season. All hand pruned, sprayed and picked. We sold them 5 days a week at local farmers markets. Currently, about two dozen trees are maintained, the rest feed the local wildlife. An orchard is a year round commitment. Enjoy your stay. ~Dale This is a small working family orchard. Sites are rustic. RV and trailers can park on grass or the driveway. Tents ⛺ can set up on the grass. Sites are not marked. HipCamp requires that I list them separately for reservation purposes. The location is not busy. Maybe one or two reservations a weekend in the summer. Pick a spot you are comfortable & enjoy your stay. One picnic table on site. One fire pit. Minutes from the Rock River for paddling and fishing. No bathroom on site. No water onsite. No onsite camp host. My Uncle is your neighbor, so I will hear about any mischief you might get into.

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Wisconsin River Sandbar Camping

2 sites · Tents1 acre · Poynette, WI

Learn more about this land:Hi there! We are Wild Wisco Waters and we offer canoe overnight sandbar camping trips on the Wisconsin River near the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Wisconsin. Meet us at the Dekorra landing free parking lot in Poynette and we'll bring you upriver with all the paddling gear you'll need for your river adventure. Paddle downriver and find a sandbar to call your own for the night! Build a bonfire, set up your tent, and enjoy a night under the stars. In the morning pack up camp and paddle downriver to your take out where your car is waiting for your next journey. The initial price includes the Pine Island Overnight Trip Package ($100) that includes a two-day canoe rental, upriver shuttle, and all of your paddling equipment. Additional tickets include a two-day canoe rental priced per person ($25/person/day) with all of your paddling equipment. We are a family-owned and operated outfitter that can create custom trips to fit our camper's unique needs. We also offer day paddle trips and guided fishing tours. We can accommodate large groups and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Call anytime! 608.617.0998We are dedicated to connecting people with the wonders of Wisconsin's beautiful waterways and are excited to help plan your next great summer adventure!

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The summer camp experience

3 sites · Tents75 acres · Waupaca, WI

Located on a summer camp property in central Wisconsin. We have multiple large campsites for tent camping that can accommodate groups as large as 50 people, a few places for an RV could be set up at, and several cabins. The property is located on 2 quiet lakes, with great opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. The swimming area has a great beach and a diving raft (depending on the season). We also have a large dining hall for indoor activities, and several outdoor program areas. We are just south of the Chain-o-lakes and Waupaca, so there's plenty to do a short drive away.

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The G Farm

1 site · Lodging27 acres · Larsen, WI

Ever want to leave your job and unite with nature? Me too, after 10-plus years of tax preparation, I found myself with a desire to farm and to become closer to the food we take for granted. This farm is unique in that it was cleared and stripped of its topsoil and its fill was sold off to the state. What was left behind was a pond and some poor farmland. I purchased this less desirable property inexpensively and have been working tirelessly to regenerate the property to a farm that mimics nature and our natural ecosystem. I have planted over 1000 trees and perennial shrubs to move this property into an oak savannah-like natural farming system. In 2015 I purchased this property without any farming experience and have begun to transform this property into a beautiful destination. We look forward to seeing you and welcoming you into our ecosystem.

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A Vegetable & Flower Farm

1 site · Tent8 acres · Fredonia, WI

Our little chunk of paradise is about 8 acres. It is a diverse piece of land allowing for micro environments. A hilltop with an orchard a few terraced garden beds, about an acre or so of wooded area with a waterway down below, and another 1.5 acre of garden, intermixed with pasture, out buildings and our home. The land is surrounded by 120 acres of adjacent farmland. Across our street is wetlands and woods. Adjacent to the 120 acres of farmland is another 80 acres of public hunting land. We are blessed to live so close to nature without a view of a neighbors house. Stars, crickets, frogs, woodcocks in spring, hummingbirds and sandhill cranes in summer, and more all in abundance at our Willoway Farm. We bought our home in 2006. Before then it was in the same family that settled there in 1840s-1850s. At one time there was a log cabin, then they built our cream city brick farmhouse in 1893. The farm in the 1980s and before was a dairy farm. When we bought it half of where you see the garden was either grass or part of the conventional farm adjacent to our property. Our farm logo is taken from the builder of the barn-many pioneer barn builders often signed their barn work with a symbol. We liked the symbol and kept it to use as our own yet honor the builder of our barn. We have great appreciation for those that built with such beautiful large trees and all by hand. The Produce Wash Building is a timber frame built by Dan our farm owner and farm doer. The timber frame was made from reclaimed timbers and reclaimed barn siding, the shingles were made from scratch by Dan also. Learn more about this land: Willoway Farm is a small scale organic vegetable &and flower farm established in 2007, located 35 minutes north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's situated upon a glacial hill over looking a Milwaukee river flowage to the south and the kettle moraine state forest to the northwest. Our 8 acre land with cut flower & heirloom vegetable garden is surrounded by over 200 acres of uninhabited land, ( Farmland & state wild land). We are just 5 minutes from hiking trails into the state forest, which is beautiful all times of the year! A 55 acre secluded lake with public access is only 1.5 miles from Willoway - we hear the fishing is good. New now is across the street is a 283 acre land trust- Biehl Nature Preserve on Lake Twelve. The roads near the farm traverse through mixed forest and farm land with only slight traffic offering exceptional bicycling! The camp space is primitive and private yet offers gentle vistas upon the surrounding landscape with often both amazing sunrises and sunsets - situated upon the high point of the farm nestled in a young apple orchard. We have a spacious outhouse on site. We feel so fortunate live and farm where we do & love offering the natural beauty it offers to others. Our garden is lush with flowers, herbs and vegetables great for observing our plethora of pollinators. There are so many places to visit within 10 miles of our Campsite. A favorite is Riveredge Nature Center only 9.6 miles offering 3 miles of trails including 1 mile along Milwaukee River. Riveredge Nature Center has vast landscapes with so many lovely native wild flowers.

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Bakeracres

1 site · RV, Tent45 acres · Lebanon, WI

Bakeracres is a 45 acre farm that raises hay, oats and pumkins. We also raise Belgian draft horses, that we use for field work and logging. The camp site is at the back of the farm in a wooded area near a pond. Great area to go biking with many miles of quiet roads in our area. Also we are about 4 miles from the Rock river, which is great for canoeing/kayaking. We are about 5 miles outside of Watertown , which has plenty of shopping, restaurants, and fun drinking establishments. We are less than an hour from Milwaukee, Madison, or Fon du Lac. NO same day bookings allowed.

The best camping near Lake Michigan guide

Overview

About

Sugar sand beaches, rolling dunes, and deep blue waters aren't all you'll find at the fifth largest lake in the world. Spanning four states, Lake Michigan has no shortage of opportunities for fun and relaxation. With so many opportunities for water sports and lakeside recreation, this region has everything you could ask for on a camping trip. Countless miles of lakeside trails are sure to entertain hikers of all experience levels. Serene dune trails and stunning lakeshore vistas are abundant in what is considered an essential experience for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Notable campgrounds

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Camp amid towering dunes with views that stretch to the horizon.
Michigan State Parks: Choose from a variety of campsites offering a symphony of waves as your nighttime serenade.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot in these sought-after campgrounds.
Consider off-peak seasons for greater availability and a quieter experience.
Keep an eye on cancellation policies for last-minute opportunities.
Explore nearby camping options to increase your chances of finding the perfect site.

When to go

The best time to visit Lake Michigan is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and the lake is bustling with activity. Spring and fall offer quieter visits with cooler temperatures, while winter presents a stark, frozen beauty that is equally captivating.

Know before you go

Always prioritize safety; the Great Lakes can be unpredictable, so heed water and pier safety advice.
Check for any park closures or restrictions before your visit.
Accessible travel options are available for those with mobility concerns.
State parks offer a range of amenities, including restrooms and picnic areas.
Remember to pack essentials for outdoor activities and overnight stays.