Houghton Lake State Forest Campground
Not to be confused with the town of Houghton in the UpperPeninsula, Houghton Lake State Forest Campground is actually located on theshores of Houghton Lake in the central part of the Lower Peninsula.
The largest inland lake in the state, Houghton Lake is avery popular spot for fishing, boating, and other watersports. The areasurrounding the lake is also home to miles of hiking trails.
As for this campground itself, it offers 50 campsites for tent camping. Some accommodate small trailers and RVs . Flush toilets and potable water is available.
Country Village Rv Park Ishpeming Mi
Cabin Price: Varies greatly
Why Youll Love It: The reason were featuring Country Village on this list is because they cover two ends of the spectrum. Their extremely rustic cabins are just a few steps above tent camping, but their vacation cabins are luxurious lofts perfect for your whole family.
This park would be great for a small event or family reunion. Their pool is pretty sweet too!
Nearby Activities: Country Village is located in the historic iron ore community of Ishpeming. Its a quick drive to Marquette, a coastal town with amazing trails and even better fresh caught fish.
If you love local farmers markets theres a huge stand just a few miles from the park.
Campgrounds With Cabins In Michigan Vibes: 6.4/10 We really like the options at Country Village. However, it isnt the most scenic park.
Why Is Michigan The Best Place To Camp
The Great Lakes State attracts campers for many reasons,including:
- Access to water, ideal for swimming, kayaking, surfing, tubing, boating, fishing and more
- Sweeping, breathtaking views of lakes, sunsets, mountains, wine country and waterfalls
- Warm days and cool nights, perfect for relaxing around the campfire
- Natural amenities. Spend time in the Great Outdoors by hiking a nature trail, climbing a sand dune, picking fresh fruit, relaxing on the beach, listening to the soothing sounds of waterfalls and walking along a pier
Some campers come from across the country to explore popular tourist destinations like Mackinac Island, Frankenmuth and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Others who live in Michigan like to drive an hour or two away from home to unplug, kick back and relax at the best campgrounds in Michigan.
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Fall Activities While Camping In Michigan
One cool thing about the Great Lakes State is many campgrounds, especially the state park ones, have fall or Halloween-themed weeks filled with fun and activities for the whole family. One of my local favorites, Fort Custer Recreation Area, has an annual “Harvests & Haunts” fest in the park every year and campers regularly decorate their campsites in a spooky theme.
Outside the campgrounds it may be a little cold to go swimming, but a walk on the sandy beach of any of the Great Lakes is usually still beautiful. One of my favorite recent fall stays was Port Crescent State Park a few years back. With the leaves off the trees, every campsite in the park had a view of Lake Huron.
Fall is the ideal time of year to hit the biking and hiking trails in Michigan. In the upper peninsula, the beauty of the hundreds of waterfalls is usually only amplified by the fall colors. The same goes for a paddling adventure down a gentle stream or river this time of year. The fishing is also often still good in many areas. Especially with panfish that tend to go on a feeding frenzy ahead of the really cold weather moving in.
My personal favorite activity to pair with camping this time of year is geocaching. There is nothing like a modern-day scavenger hunt in a scenic place like the forests around small towns like Munising or Paradise in the U.P. Especially since most of the mosquitoes and other biting insects of the forest have died off.
Ludington State Park And Campground
Comprised of forests, marshlands, wetlands, sand dunes, and sandy beaches situated between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake, Ludington State Park and Campground is 5,300 acres with several miles of shoreline along both lakes.
It offers 360 campsites and 3 one-room cabins among its three modern campgrounds Beechwood, Cedar and Pines. The Cedar campground also has eight tent sites located on a separate loop that do not have electricity but are within walking distance to showers and restrooms.
For more rustic campers, there is the Jack Pine Hike-In Only Campground. It offers 10 tent sites that are accessible only by hiking or bicycling in.
The main campground includes a stretch of the Big Sable River that offers campers with tubing, paddling and fishing opportunities. Campers can also enjoy the 5,000-acre Hamlin Lake which offers a boat launch and a four-mile canoe trail that provides paddlers with an adventurous trip.
Hikers can enjoy the more than 21 miles of marked trails that traverse wetlands, forests and dunes. The park is open all year and hosts guided snowshoe hikes in the winter months.
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D Rocks National Lakeshore In Munising
As we consider the best times to catch the changing colors of fall, we continue our Michigan fall color tour in Michigans Upper Peninsula. The town of Munising along Lake Superior is best known for its waterfalls and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It is also home to the Au Sable Lighthouse.
Breath-taking beauty awaits you at every turn during fall in Munising. Whether you go for a drive through a canopy of color, you brave the chilly water of Lake Superior for a water-view of the golden topped cliffs, or you hike to one of the areas majestic waterfalls, you will stand in awe of the beauty of fall in this deciduous tree-laden paradise.
Also along Lake Superior, the deep forest of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore offers a picturesque view of Michigans fall foliage. The park features dunes, inland lakes, waterfalls, and a wild shoreline with beaches and sandstone cliffs.
There are nearly 100 miles of hiking trails, such as the North Country Trail, and numerous sightseeing opportunities, including lighthouses and other maritime sites.
Best Rv Friendly Michigan Campground: Mackinaw Mill Creek Campground
Named one of Michigans Top Family Friendly Campgrounds by The Detroit News, Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping has traditional RV camping with a wide assortment of amenities to keep everyone entertained. For instance, you can enjoy the hiking and biking trails, basketball court, heated pool, dog-friendly campsites, natural swimming beach, miniature golf course and arcade and game room.
This Michigan camping experience has a relaxed atmosphere with more than 200 acres of woods and a mile of shoreline, but what sets it apart is its proximity to one of the states most beloved features the Mackinac Bridge. A few large full hookup RV sites provide panoramic views of the Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island and the Straits of Mackinac that are so stunning that you wont be able leave without at least 100 photos of it on your phone.
The Mill Creek campgrounds are only three minutes from downtown Mackinaw City, a vibrant community bustling with restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Set up your campsite, then take a walk or ride a bike into town. You can also hop on a ferry for a day-long excursion of Mackinac Island. While youre there, sample lots of its famous fudge!
There are more than 200 RV campsites, including small, medium, large and extra-large sites with full hookups, making this one of the best RV campgrounds in Michigan.
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The Fields Of Michigan
Why you should stay: A glamorous camping resort dotted with field tents that offer couples or small families a high-end escape to the wilderness.
- Location: South Haven
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates start from: $329/night
The Fields of Michigan is a high-end glamping destination in the small yet bustling port city of South Haven. Surrounded by the natural charm of a local blueberry farm, guests can unwind and recharge in a part of Michigan that lays claim to exciting natural attractions like Lake Michigan, the Black River, and sprawling acres of national forest.
Each tent is immaculately clean and outfitted with stylish decor that includes a plush king bed, soft linens, a full bathroom, and electricity. Depending on the season, theres also air conditioning or a wood stove available for added comfort. The property is set to soon feature spa facilities and has a beautiful community space called the Willow where guests can dine, chat, and play.
Rivermouth Group Use Area
Large groups that want to experience Tahquamenon Falls camping can book the Rivermouth Group Use Area, which is a special campground reserved for groups that require up to 50 campsites. Its a unique and innovative option for tours that are traveling through the Upper Peninsula.
The area is described as a semi-modern campground, and it has limited amenities that are available seasonally. During the summer, you can use some of the modern amenities at other nearby campgrounds.
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The Best Places To Go Camping In Michigan
Michigan is rife with opportunity for outdoor adventures,including some of the best camping in the United States.
Touching four of the five Great Lakes, the state has more than 3,288 miles of freshwater shoreline plus more than 11,000 inland lakes. All this in addition to 20 million acres of forest just waiting to be explored.
Divided into two by the Straits of Mackinac, both the mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula and long, slender Upper Peninsula boast a diverse collection of terrain and natural beauty as well as countless camping opportunities.
Whether you prefer tent camping at a secluded rustic campground or RV camping in a bustling RV Park, the Wolverine State has you covered. Same goes for free camping, overnight backpacking, winter camping, and so much more.
Here are 33 of the best places to go camping in Michigan.
White Mountain National Forest New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of the quintessential fall destinations that every nature lover should experience from a campsite. Head to the White Mountain National Forest this fall to see the gentle hillsides, flowing streams, and colorful leaves. This is a historic place with lots to see and do in the area if youre interested in history and culture too. There are a variety of camping options available in the national forest, including designated campgrounds in the Androscoggin, Pemigewasset, and Saco ranger districts. Three cabin rentals are available in the Saco Ranger District, and dispersed camping is allowed in the backcountry more than 200 feet from trails and bodies of water.
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Fort Custer State Recreation Area
Enjoy the peace and quiet of winter camping at Fort Custer StateRecreation Area in the central region of the Lower Peninsula.
The campground is open year-round to intrepid campers of allbreeds. Not only do they welcome tent campers, but the recreation area is justone of a few public campgrounds in Michigan that provide electrical hookupsyear-round for RV campers.
Why go winter camping at Fort Custer State Recreation Area?In addition to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, its one of the mostpopular locations for dogsledding in Michigan.
Grant Tetons National Park Wyoming
The Grand Tetons are stunningly beautiful during any season of the year, but they are really something special in the fall. Here you can go rafting, horseback riding, or just take a long hike through the mountainous region. Backcountry camping is available if you want to get off the grid. Or you can camp at the developed campgrounds for electric-only hookups and full hookups. The best places for RVs and trailers are Colter Bay RV Park, Headwaters Campground, and the RV sites at Flagg Ranch.
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Creekside Glamp Camp Dowagiac Creek Niles
Set inside an 80-year-old chicken coop, this is one unique place to stay in Michigan. Dont worry its been spruced up and is all about vintage vibes. Theres a big comfortable bed that opens up with sliding doors onto the spacious veranda and garden, complete with chairs and firepit.
This place is located on Dowagiac Creek, with a switchback path leading down to the water. It feels like a private oasis and makes for a great place to enjoy nature and glimpse wildlife. Otherwise, its clean and cosy, and the hosts even serve up a mean breakfast each morning .
Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.
Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure dont be daft!
Southeast: Fall Creek Falls State Park Tennessee
The centerpiece attraction at Tennessee’s Fall Creek Falls State Park is its massive namesake waterfall, which plummets off a rock face 256 feet in the air. But, the park has amazing options for campers too, including more than 220 campsites spread out across five different areas in various parts of the 26,000 acre landscape. There are even more than 34 miles of trail to explore, most of which are awash in the colors of the seasons starting in mid- to late-October. Summer lingers later in the Volunteer State, but autumn is no less spectacular once it arrives.
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Fall Just May Be The Ideal Time To Camp In Michigan
As we roll through October many people are packing away the tents, kayaks, and camp cookware. They believe another season of camping is long over and done. Especially in states like Michigan where the temperature starts dropping as the leaves start falling. However, they are missing out on one of the best camping experiences out there. As Michigan offers some of the best fall camping one can find anywhere.
Whether you are planning an extensive backpacking wilderness getaway up north over the Mackinac Bridge to Michigan’s upper peninsula or something simple close to home in your local RV park, the camping fun does not have to stop just because of a change in the fall foliage.
In fact, some of our most memorable recent trips to our local state forest campground or state park. Today we will give some tips for planning a fall camping trip in Michigan. We will also give a few suggestions on places to visit on your trip.
Oak Grove Campground/chippewa Landing
This private campground is located in the Northwestern region of the lower peninsula. Two big sites exist to which you can paddle up in a canoe up to your chosen spot, or you can drive in and hook up to electricity and plumbing.
There is WiFi, and they do allow pets in the park, something a lot of state parks refrain from doing. Essentially whatever you can do on the nearby river, including tubing and fishing, are the available activities.
Its a very quiet and peaceful spot, and loud noises are discouraged so that all campers can enjoy the sounds of the surrounding woods and the bubbling sounds of the river.
Camping is typically by membership only, so you do have to purchase a season pass or membership to camp here.
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Best Michigan Campgrounds To Add To Your Bucket List
From bluffs and beaches to forests and falls, theres no end to the amazing camping trips you can experience throughout Michigans 83 counties. The best of Michigans campgrounds are spread across two peninsulas and connected by the Mighty Mac and Midwestern spirit.
So get ready to pack your fifth wheel, travel trailer or motorhome and join us for a tour of some of the best campgrounds in Michigan!
Important note: Due to Covid-19, many campgrounds and attractions have temporarily closed or limited capacity to allow for social distancing. Please contact each campground or park directly for latest information and updates.
North And South Higgins Lake State Parks
If you are looking for fall foliage and color over an inland lake, try either North or South Higgins State Parks. Both parks are consistently busy during the summer months. But come mid-September, the parks see fewer campers. The result is a very fun and quiet camping experience in the heart of Northern Michigan. Higgins Lake is one of the most pristine lakes in Michigan. Seeing its blue hue contrast against fall colors on the shoreline is a must see. Plus, there are many trails throughout the park to hike and enjoy the leaves falling.
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Ludington Dunes State Park
Central Western Lower PeninsulaEnjoy your own private duneside campsite in the walk-in section of this state park, along a beautiful stretch of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline. Big Sable Point Lighthouse is open, and the only people youll see are those who are willing to do the hiking to get there, passing by your backcountry site. Hiking abounds, and this is an ideal location for birdwatchers and just a short drive from Ludington, from which all points north on the coast are absolutely stunning and mostly uninhabited. Although the Beechwood Campground is closed until next June for renovations, there are plenty of sites open between Lakes Michigan and Hamlin where you can settle in for a few nights.
Platte River Campground Beulah Mi
Water is the biggest draw for Platte River campers, near Honor. Those who start out for a ride on the river, whether canoeing, kayaking or just tubing, will shortly find themselves in the wider waters of Lake Michigan without much incident. A half-mile trail walk from the campground will likewise make Lake Michigan’s boundaries available, and the campsite itself is located near not only the Sleepy Bear Dunes, but also near Glen Arbor and even about 40 minutes from Traverse City, which will open up a huge variety of activities for those interested.
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