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5 Best RV Campgrounds In Michigan

This post was updated on March 15th, 2024

campgrounds in Michigan
Lake Michigan shoreline at Frankfort, MI, at sunset 07-20-2019 104 by Richard Hurd is licensed under CC BY 2.0

5 Best RV Campgrounds In Michigan

What makes the best campground? Is it the scenery, being by a lake or a mountain or some other visually stunning feature? Maybe it’s just having all the amenities you’re looking for like an on-site store, showers, and a spot for the kids. Or maybe it’s the one that’s hardest to reach but offers the most solitude.

In a state located in the Great Lakes region, finding a campground on the water is no problem. According to Wikipedia, there is no point in the state that is more than six miles from a natural water source or more than 85 miles from a Great Lakes shoreline.

The state is a geographic mix of forest, mountains, lakes, marshes, and coast, making for a wide variety of camping terrain. Based on these criteria, we’ve compiled 10 of the best campgrounds in Michigan for RVers.

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1. Lake Fanny Hooe Resort & Campground

Located on Lake Fanny Hooe and just blocks from Lake Superior, this Copper Harbor resort and campground is a water enthusiast’s dream. In addition to a motel and lakeside cottages on-site, full-service campsites are also available.

Located in a forest bordering 250,000 acres of northern wilderness with its own trout stream, you’ll enjoy the serenity as well as access to picnic tables, fire pits, hot showers, and clean bathrooms.

Lake Fanny Hooe, home to the Lake Fanny Hooe Resort and Campground in Michigan. Photo by John W. Iwanski, courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Boat and canoe rentals are available from the resort if you want to spend a day exploring the lake, visiting Fort Wilkins State Park, or relaxing fishing. A warm water swimming beach is provided exclusively for guests.

Kids will enjoy the onsite playground or the clubhouse with a snack area, fireplace, and arcade games. Recreation options outside the resort abound including hiking, visiting waterfalls, viewing birds and wildflowers, bear watching, berry picking, biking, bird watching, local festivals, golf, tennis, restaurants, shopping, hunting, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and many local sites worth visiting. 

2. Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort

The Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort in Petoskey, Michigan is true luxury living—you might not even want to go back home! Many residents buy lots and live at the resort but nightly rentals are also available.

Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort in Michigan. Photo by Hearthside Grove Motorcoach Resort

Rental prices vary depending on the amenities of your chosen spot but all come with a 20’x70’ paved pad, full hook-ups with 50-amp power, and a metal table with two chairs. But it’s the amenities of the resort itself that make this four-star living: on-site is a full-size clubhouse theater, cooking classes with local chefs, a pool, recreational activities, a laundry facility, fitness center, and business center.

3. Ludington State Park

There are a number of state parks in Michigan and this one, located two miles north of Ludington, Michigan, is home to 5,300 acres of beautiful scenery. Sand dunes, beaches, wetlands, forest, and marshlands abound in this natural paradise.

Ludington State Park is not only one of the best campgrounds in Michigan, but one of our favorites in the Midwest. Photo by Bailiwick Studios, courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

Not only is the park located between Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan, but it also has a one-mile stretch of the Big Sable River running through it which visitors can use for fishing, paddling, and tubing. Other recreation options include more than 21 miles of hiking trails, a 4-mile canoe trail, and a boat launch on Hamlin Lake.

Visit the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse May through October. Three campgrounds are available: Pines, Cedar, and Beechwood with a total of 360 campsites and three mini cabins. For those interested in backpacking, there are also 10 remote tent sites in the Jack Pine Hike-In-Only Campground. 

One review from RV LIFE Campgrounds had this to say:

“The nicest State Park in lower Michigan. Tons to do and see. Hamlin Lake, the River and Lake Michigan, doesn’t get better than this! Hike to the Lighthouse. Bike or hike the miles and miles of trails. Explore the beaches, trails and woods.”

4. Whispering Pines Campground

This campground located in the heart of northwest Michigan (between Traverse City and Petosky) is a great spot for stopping when exploring the northern part of the state.

Whispering Pines campground in Michigan. Photo by Whispering Pines Campground

Both tent and full hook-up RV sites are available in spacious sites surrounded by pine trees. The campground boasts many on-site amenities including a heated pool, pickleball courts, basketball, cornhole, 1.7 miles of nature trails, weekend crafts, a camp store, and bathrooms and showers. Explore the area for fishing, golfing, local wineries, festivals, and more.

5. Lake Leelanau RV Park

It doesn’t get closer to the water than this! While the town of Leelanau itself doesn’t offer too much, it’s the lake and this RV park’s close proximity that make it a boater’s dream.

Lake Leelanau, one of the best campgrounds in Michigan. Photo by Lake Leelanau RV Park

The park is located on 800 feet of frontage right on the shores of Lake Leelanau, a 21-mile area perfect for boating, swimming, fishing, and water sports. The resort has a boat launch and 98 boat docks available for rent. Also available for rent are fishing boats, pontoon boats, water bikes, kayaks canoes, see-doos, and paddleboards.

After a day on the water, head to the Lake Leelanau Lodge for some ping pong, horseshoes, tennis, pickleball, basketball, and shuffleboard. Also on-site are private showers and restrooms, a playground, and laundry facilities.

The campground has an excellent 9.2 rating on RV LIFE Campgrounds. There are 196 RV sites, all of which are full hook-up with cement pads and patios, a picnic table, and fire circle. Many are on the lake and most have lake views.

Plan your trip to these campgrounds in Michigan

Of course, there are many more campgrounds in Michigan that are worth a visit. Plan your travels and find other points of interest with RV LIFE Trip Wizard, RV LIFE Campgrounds, and the RV LIFE App. Be sure to also check out these 15 Scenic Places To Camp Along Lake Michigan.