Michigan is known for the Great Lakes, sand dunes and beautiful State and National Parks. Whether you want to camp directly on the sandy beach of Lake Michigan or hike through the Porcupine Mountains, both Upper and Lower Michigan have a lot to offer. Here are the 5 best places to camp in Michigan this summer.
1. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has some of the largest dunes in the U.S. There are several campgrounds with several with views of Lake Michigan.
©Craig Sterken/Shutterstock.com
The dunes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are right on Lake Michigan, near Traverse City in the NW corner of lower Michigan. Explore several trails throughout the park to really experience the sandy dunes. Many of the trails lead to amazing lookouts over Lake Michigan. Visit the “Dune Climb” a steep sandy dune that allows visitors to climb to the top and run down. The park also includes North and South Manitou Islands which has island camping for the extra adventurous. In the main park there are two campgrounds to choose from, the Platte River Campground, with RV sites with full hookup, tent and backcountry sites and the D.H. Day Campground with a more rustic feel and Tent only sites. Both campgrounds are nestled in the woods and provide a true camping feel.
| Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore | |
|---|---|
| Location | NW corner of Lower Michigan, on Lake Michigan |
| Nearest City | Glen Arbor |
| Platte River Campground | 96 RV/Tent sites with electric hookup, 25 walk-in sites, 5 group sites, restrooms, hot showers |
| D.H. Day Campground | 87 sites, 23 are tent only, 19 are walk-in, restrooms, water, no showers |
| Village Campground-North Manitou Island | 8 campsites, two fire rings, one outhouse, permit required |
| Bay Campground-South Manitou Island | 25 campsites, 3 group sites, bring your own water or water filtration, fire pits, closest to the dock |
| Weather Station Campground-South Manitou | 20 campsites, 3 group sites, bring your own water or water filtration, fire pits, overlooks Lake Michigan, 1.3 mile hike to the sites |
| Popple Campground-South Manitou Island | 7 campsites, bring your own water or water filtration, fire pits, furthest from the dock at 3.5 miles but close to the beach on the north end |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Most sites, not on the island |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Varies by campground |
| Pet Friendly | Yes in the main park, no on the islands |
| Reservations | Varies by the time of the year |
| What makes it one of the best | Experiencing the magnificent dunes first hand! |
2. Wilderness State Park, Carp Lake
Wilderness State Park is one of the best places to camp in Michigan this summer because it has a great beach (for humans) and a fun dog beach!
©everydoghasastory/Shutterstock.com
In northern Michigan is Wilderness State Park which has 26 miles of shoreline right along Lake Michigan. For some of the best swimming and beach going you can’t go wrong with either of the two campgrounds, Lakeshore and Pines. Not only is there a swimming beach for people but bring your pups because there is also a dog beach! There are 250 campsites including 18 full hookups and 9 tent only sites. If you don’t have all the camping gear you can stay at one of the 6 rustic cabins or 3 rustic bunkhouses. Hike one of the beautiful trails and keep your eye out for porcupine, snowshoe hares and maybe even a Black Bear (so keep the food at your campsite secure!). The park is open all year round but it is definitely one of the best places to camp in Michigan this summer.
| Wilderness State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Lower Michigan, near Mackinaw City |
| Nearest City | Carp Lake |
| Total Sites | 250 modern sites |
| Full hook-up sites | 18 |
| Tent only sites | 9 |
| Rustic Cabins | 6 |
| Rustic bunkhouses | 3 |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | 18 full hookup sites, Vault toilets, water |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | One of the best beaches and dog beach! |
3. Porcupine Mountains State Park, Ontonagon
While hiking through the Porcupine Mountains you can visit Manabezho Falls, a beautiful waterfall on the Presque Isle River.
©Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock.com
Now onto Upper Michigan which borders both Lake Michigan to the south and Lake Superior to the north. Porcupine Mountains State Park is the largest State Park in Michigan. It is the far west end of the UP (Upper Peninsula) and covers 60,000 acres. You can take a few short hikes, a day hike or pack all your gar for some backcountry backpacking. If you are an avid angler you have to try fishing on Lake of the Clouds, although take note that the lake is a catch and release lake only. Fish for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and lake trout.
There are several campground including modern ones, rustic ones and backcountry. The Union Bay Modern Campground has 100 sites including ones with electric that can accommodate RV’s. There is a sandy beach within walking distance and a camp store. For something a little different try one of the four Backcountry Wilderness Yurts! Each yurt sleeps 4 and is privately located away from other sites.
| Porcupine Mountains State Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | Upper Michigan, west end |
| Nearest City | Ontonagon |
| Union Bay Campground | 100 (Some with electrical hookups) |
| Backcountry Wilderness Yurts | 4, sleeps 4, no water or electricity, vault toilets, no water |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Varies by campground |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Camp directly in the mountains with views of Lake Superior! |
4. Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA Holiday
If you want to enjoy day trips to Detroit but still have an amazing campground then the Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA Holiday has it all.
©iStock.com/Simplyphotos
For one of the best places to camp in Michigan this summer you may want to stay near Detroit. If you want to camp and have access to everything downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor have to offer then the Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA Holiday is a great campground. This campground is more like a resort than a campground with a swimming beach, mini-golf, water slide, water course, scheduled activities and themed weekends. It is located right on a private lake that is great for fishing bass or crappie.
There are RV sites, Tent sites, cabins and extended stay options. It also makes a great home base if you are visiting the University of Michigan or day trips to Detroit for the Detroit Institute of Arts, Henry Ford Museum or the Detroit Zoo. The Detroit Zoo is home to the Polk Penguin Conservation Center which includes 75 king, rockhopper, macaroni, gentoo and chinstrap penguins. A great place to cool off in Michigan this summer!
| Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA Holiday | |
|---|---|
| Location | In between Detroit and Ann Arbor |
| Nearest City | Ypsilanti, MI |
| RV Sites | Multiple options, some with full hookup, some are waterfront on the lake |
| Tent Sites | Yes |
| Cabins | There are rustic cabins that sleeps 4 and do not have a private bath and a vacation rental on the lake |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Just about everything! Restrooms, hot showers, laundry, mini-golf, water slide, water course, camp store |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | All the amenities of a resort right next to downtown Detroit! |
5. Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, across from Mackinac Island State Park
Take a fishing charter out to see if you can catch a 20+ pound lake trout! Then bring it back to your campsite at Mackinaw Mill Creek to fry up for dinner.
©Cannon Colegrove/Shutterstock.com
If you want to visit the quaint island of Mackinac (where there are no motorized vehicles allowed…at all!) then you might want to stay at the Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground. There is no camping allowed on Mackinaw Island so this is the next best thing located just SW of the island. It offers just about every kind of accommodation for basic tent sites to 3-bedroom vacation rentals. If you want to try to catch some good size fish, like a 20 pound Lake Trout, reserve a Fishing Charter and head out to try and catch Trout, Carp or Salmon. Then head back to your campsite at Mackinaw Mill Creek to fry them of for dinner. Definitely one of the best places to camp in Michigan this summer!
| Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground | |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern end of Upper Michigan |
| Nearest City | Mackinac City |
| Total Sites | 600 |
| RV Full Hookup sites | 200 |
| RV Sites and Tent Sites | Yes, full hookup, water, 50 amp, sewer |
| Cabins/Vacation Rentals | Yes, 1-3 bedroom |
| Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
| Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
| Amenities | Restrooms, Hot Showers, |
| Pet Friendly | Yes, Dog exercise area (no pets in cabins or vacation rental) |
| Reservations | Yes |
| What makes it one of the best | Best spot to stay if you are visiting Mackinac Island! |
Summary of the 5 Best Places to Camp in Michigan this Summer
| Rank | Camping Location |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore |
| 2 | Wilderness State Park, Carp Lake |
| 3 | Porcupine Mountains State Park, Ontonagon |
| 4 | Detroit/Ann Arbor KOA Holiday |
| 5 | Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping |
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Frederick Millett/Shutterstock.com
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