12 of Michigan’s Best Campgrounds Offering the Full Great Lakes Experience

There’s nothing quite like camping. Warm days and cool nights. Sitting around a campfire. Being at one with nature. But when you’re from Michigan, the best camping comes when you’re sleeping right next to one of our amazing Great Lakes. There are many campgrounds that offer camping experiences either on or near the waters of our surrounding Great Lakes. Whether you like to sleep rustically on the sand, or pack up an RV with all your necessities, there’s a campground waiting for you to explore!

Lake Huron 

Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping | 9730 US Highway 23, Mackinaw City
Highlights: Offering every type of camping from tents to rental cabins. Plenty of shared restrooms, a park store, and nearby to local attractions.

For the perfect Michigander adventure, stay at Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping where you’ll have perfect views of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. This large campground has everything you need for the perfect camping experience including swimming pools, mini golf, and a dog park.

Ossineke State Forest Campground | 4343 M-32, Ossineke
Highlights: Tents and small camper trailers only and no reservations are allowed. Vault toilets and potable water are available at the campground. 

Those of you looking for a simplified camping experience, head to Ossineke State Forest Campground. They offer 42 large campsites that are just a short walk to the waters of Lake Huron.

Forester Park | 2820 N Lakeshore Rd, Carsonville
Highlights: Every type of camping is available from tents to cabins for rent. Reservations are required and many of the amenities are handicap accessible. 

Located in Michigan’s thumb, Forester Park offers plenty of activity options for every type of camper. One of the few thumb-area campgrounds with a swimmable lakefront, you’ll be able to spend hours enjoying the water. 

Lakeport State Park | 7605 Lakeshore Rd, Lakeport
Highlights: Tent, RV, cabin, and group camping is available. Just a short drive away from a boat launch and the Port Huron State Game Area. 

The campground at Lakeshore State Park is actually two campgrounds separated by the city of Lakeport. Campers have access to a well-stocked camp store and the 54 mile-long Bridge to Bay Trail. 

Lake Michigan

Muskegon State Park | 3560 Memorial Dr, North Muskegon
Highlights: If you’re tenting or in a pop-up camper, there’s a large convenient bathroom building in a central location. 

This lakefront campground is the perfect place to grab a coffee and take a walk over the sand dunes for a spectacular morning view of the lake. With plenty of activities like swimming, fishing, and hiking to keep you busy, you’ll have tons of opportunities to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Buttersville Campground | 991 S Lakeshore Drive, Ludington
Highlights: RV and tent camping available through reservation only. Fresh water, public restrooms and showers, and electricity are available at all of the camping sites.

Buttersville Campground is the perfect combination of camping on the water and camping in the woods. Just a short walk away from the shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll be feeling rested from a good night’s sleep in the great outdoors.

Barnes Park Campground | 12298 Barnes Park Rd, Eastport
Highlights: Barnes Park offers both rustic and electric hookup camping sites. All sites must be reserved in advance.

Located on the Grand Traverse Bay, you’ll be in heaven sleeping in the woods. A spacious beach and a paved trail for biking or walking will have you spending hours exploring the beautiful scenery around you.

Lake Michigan Campground | 1798 W US-2, Hiawatha National Forest, Saint Ignace
Highlights: Cold water and vault toilets are available at the campground. Boat and canoe rentals are available nearby.

If you want to experience the beauty of Lake Michigan from the Upper Peninsula, this is the campground for you. Many of the campsites are for tents, situated on sand dunes up to 30 feet high. There are a few campsites available for trailers as well. 

Lake Superior

Munising Tourist Park Campground | E8518 W M-28 West, Munising
Highlights: They offer all types of camping from rustic to RV. If you require the finer things in life, they do have free Wi-Fi and two sets of full bathrooms. Pro tip: Rustic camping is “walk-in” meaning where you park your car is not where you camp. You will have to walk your supplies a short distance to your site. 

If you are looking for a beautiful and peaceful spot to camp while visiting Pictured Rocks, this is the place for you. Rustic camping on the beach of Lake Superior is unmatched. 

Tahquamenon Falls State Park | 41382 W M-123, Paradise
Highlights: Camping is available for every variety of camper, modern restrooms, and picnic shelters.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is so peaceful, quiet, and very family oriented. Camping at the Lower Falls Campground is ideal; they have a small park, trails, and a small convenience store/coffee shop. They also have boat rentals and fishing available to keep you busy.

Agate Beach Park | 42870 Agate Beach Rd, Toivola
Highlights: This very base-level campground only allows tent camping on the sand. You will find rustic toilets and picnic tables available.

If you want to sleep on the beaches of Lake Superior, stay away from crowds, and truly experience the beauty of Michigan, this is your spot.

Porcupine Mountains-Presque Isle Rustic Campground | 33303 Headquarters Rd, Ontonagon
Highlights: Vault toilets are available, but this campground is tent camping at its finest. Rocky shorelines and miles of hiking trails. 

Just about as far west as you can get in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Presque Isle offers rustic camping right along the banks of the Presque Isle River. Several sites are also available for walk-in camping along the banks of Lake Superior.

What’s your favorite campground in Michigan? We’d love to hear about it! If you’re looking for more outdoor fun in the Great Lakes state, check out some of the best glamping options the state has to offer!