The best camping near Traverse City State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Traverse City State Park adventure.

93% (16 reviews)

Discover Traverse City State Park's natural beauty and outdoor fun.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Traverse City State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Traverse City State Park

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Ricky’s Pine River hunt/camp

1 site · Lodging80 acres · Wedgewood, MI

Hardwood and conifer upland forest w old growth white pine. Rolling terrain with lowland conifer w beaver ponds and wetlands. Trails for hiking or atv riding. Adjacent to hundreds of acres of roadless state forest pretty much inaccessible to most public. Small tributary to the Pine River a canoe/kayak/trout stream.

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(24)

Empire Bluff RV Site

1 site · RV10 acres · Empire, MI

125 ft from Sleeping Bear Dune gateway. One private spot for RV. Water and 30 Amp service. Empire Beach is 4 miles. Kayaking, Platte River. Dune 8 miles from site.

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(513)

Camp Moonshadow

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Honor, MI

Our property was originally the only homestead on this road. WE offer 4 Walk in Tent sites and a RV site for small campers up 20 ft.- 20 Amp service Only!!! WE also have a 59 Vintage Shasta that rents nightly up to 3 nites The big barn was built over 100 years ago and is still standing. The farm house was built in 1907. It has been remodeled with a second story added. Pine trees were planted to prevent erosion in the 1960's. The national park began buying land near us in the 1970's and the boundary line to the park is a half-mile from Moonshadow Camp. The area is surrounded by state forests and many hiking and biking trails. Our valley is known for incredible stargazing. Amenities include full access to the Camp kitchen and dining area. You will also have access to a Portable restroom and hand washing station which is located by our BIG BARN. Hot Showers, no problem, you can enjoy a secluded private shower in our shower house which has indoor and outdoor showers. Nearby is Lake Michigan and Esch Rd beach. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake shore is nearby and The National Park is famous for attractions , trails, and hiking. Electricity and water is included at the RV site, and the Shasta Camper along with the Showerhouse and Camp Kitchen

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Elm Valley

2 sites · RVs20 acres · Suttons Bay, MI

I am 4th generation to live on our property. we are very lucky to have been able to keep 20 acres where I grew up. We are surrounded by Cherry orchards and vineyards. There are 4 wineries within a mile and the bike trail in half a mile away Boat launch on Lake Leelanau 3 miles away A boat launch on Grand Traverse Bay is 1/2 a mile awayLearn more about this land:We have a large hard pack gravel area surrounded by rolling hills and lots of trees. Our house is near by with trees in between. There is a good 60 ft between campers and each site has water and 30 amp. Their own fire pit. We are half a mile from the Leelanau Trail. 10 miles into Traverse city. 5 miles to Suttons Bay

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Woods & Stars: For Now.

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Frankfort, MI

Watch spring and summer unfold here! Close to protected lands for hiking & mountain biking. Sip fair-trade french press coffee & enjoy homemade muffins. A chance to live close to nature while remaining close to Frankfort, Elberta, beaches,& more. Guests have explored Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, Empire, etc. from here. Experience tiny house living! 125 sq ft!! A perfect place to celebrate your anniversary & birthday! Learn more about this land: We want to make sure each guest has an awesome experience so please be sure to thoroughly review the listing to make sure this is the experience you are excited about! We have another tiny house on the property. Each tiny house has its own privacy. They are located approx. 40 yards apart, separated by a piece of forest. You will have the whole tiny house to yourselves. Enjoy the hammock, relax by a bonfire, enjoy the stars. We live on the property, not far away so are available if you have any questions, etc. We have a two night minimum stay. There is a book in the house full of info on our favorites...favorite place for breakfast, favorite beach, mt. bike, etc. Other things to note: We have a french press for making coffee and provide fair-trade coffee. I haven't been able to update the caption on our "outdoor shower-like structure"-this is a rinse station-perfect for cooling down on a hot day! We have an indoor shower and flush toilet. We are pet-friendly and have hosted many groups with dogs. There is a $20/per pet/per night fee, which will not be included in your total. Please leave this money before departure. We require pet owners to follow our pet policy. Inquire for a copy of it. We built our family home in the woods behind the tiny house. When leafed out, the trees protect the view but just want to make sure you are aware of this before you arrive. Before the leaves are out, you will see the house behind the tiny house. We recently had to have some excavation work done so the area around the tiny house is in need of landscaping and time to re-grow vegetation. I will be working on this as soon as I can but just wanted to make sure you were aware before your arrival.

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(6)

Bear Woods Resort

6 sites · Lodging, RVs65 acres · Bear Lake, MI

Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Northern Michigan, our enchanting 65-acre property offers an unforgettable escape into the heart of nature's beauty. Situated amidst rolling hills and woods, our property serves as a basecamp for your Northern Michigan adventure. From here, you'll find yourself conveniently positioned to explore all the region's hotspots, including the pristine Lake Michigan beaches, a round of golf at the acclaimed Acadia course, the iconic M22 drive, and visits to charming cities such as Frankfort, Traverse City, and Bear Lake. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, golfer, beach lover, or simply looking to soak up the local culture, our property offers the perfect starting point for your daily excursions. For those who prefer the comforts of home on the road, we offer three spacious RV full hook-up sites, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable stay. These sites provide all the essential amenities, including water, electricity, and sewer connections, making it convenient for RV enthusiasts to relax and recharge. Additionally, we offer a unique glamping experience with canvas tents that allow you to immerse yourself in the great outdoors while enjoying the comforts of a cozy retreat. As the sun sets, gather around a campfire, stargaze under the vast Michigan sky, and savor the tranquility of our secluded haven. Whether you're embarking on a romantic getaway, an adventure with friends and family, or a solo retreat, our 65-acre property welcomes you to experience the best of Northern Michigan.

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Up North Rivers Camping

11 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Manistee, MI

We have 20 Acres of rolling hills, mostly forested, nestled on the banks of a flowing creek, we are also a budding flower farm, this summer there will be hundreds of dahlias blooming, along with many other flowers. If you have a special occasion, that calls for fresh flowers, be sure to let us know! Our setting is quiet, private and scenic. We occasionally see the Aurora Borealis right from our house. We are located in beautiful Manistee, Michigan where outdoor adventures abound!! Manistee is a peaceful, quaint Northern Michigan town with shopping, antiquing, fine dining and a River Walk. We are minutes from award winning fishing spots on the Big Manistee, Little Manistee, Bear Creek Trout Streams and the Platte River. There are many opportunities to canoe, kayak and paddle board. We are 10 minutes from the Lake Michigan shore, and many beaches are close by. You have a choice of gorgeous sand beaches with picturesque dunes, and rocky beaches for those looking for fossils, agates, beach glass and beautiful beach stones. We are within an hour of Sleeping Bear Dunes which has award winning hiking. Traverse City is 40 minutes away with many activities, especially the Cherry Festival. The area is known for live music venues, and lots of weekend art festivals. Manistee is also home to the Little River Casino. We have firepits at each campsite, dry firewood is available to purchase, feel free to pay by cash, Venmo or CashApp, cost is $11.00 a wheelbarrow. Fresh flowers are available to purchase, seasonally. An outhouse is available for use and is supplied with toilet paper and hand sanitizer. There is a garbage can and recycling bin near the outhouse. We installed a water hydrant so you can get potable water to bring back to your site, or hose off with on the spot. A scenic small creek runs by many of the campsites. We live on the property and are here to answer your questions. Feel free to text us. We hope you enjoy your stay!! Dean and Jackie

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Llama Meadows Eco Farm BaseCamp

9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents16 acres · Benzonia, MI

Llama Meadows Farm is a sixteen acre organic fruit and vegetable farm. Located in Beautiful Benzie Country, in Northwestern Lower Michigan. We are one mile south of Crystal Lake and six miles east of Lake Michigan. Our-house is super insulated and passive solar. We had llamas for their wool and manure. We retired from raising llamas, we had 12 they got old and moved on. We have around 50 fruit trees. The fruit we grow includes apples, pears, figs and paw paws. We also grow grapes, and kiwis, we also put in filberts, walnuts and pecans. We have a beautiful labyrinth peace garden. We don't want barbecue pits on the ground it burns the grass Please check Extras for Pet fees, Campfire Wood and Electric.

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Sportsman's Port

49 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents38 acres · Wellston, MI

Gearing up for our 5th season as the new owners of The Sportsman's Port. We have made many updates and will continue to do so. We take pride in a clean bath house, and want everyone to have a great time at our campground. Sometimes it's crazy booked up and other times it may just be you. Feel free to ask any questions you may have and we will answer them as soon as we can. We look forward to meeting lots of new faces and hopefully starting family traditions for you and yours. We have spacious sites that are all different shapes and sizes. Depending on the site it may have 20/30/50 amp service depending on the site. There are currently only three that have 50 amp service. Also some sites have a septic hookup. Water fill station is located near the bathhouse. There is a private dump station also available for use just ask.

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Dan's Acre’s

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Lake City, MI

Remote 40 acre's, rolling wooded property. Only three camp sites and walking trails. Close to Cadillac and Lake City, numerous surrounding lakes. Very peaceful and quite. Close to crooked lake, lake Missaukee Lake Cadillac, Lake Mitchell. Also only 10 minutes from shopping and downtown. Also near state land.

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Mr. Joe's Campground

10 sites · RVs, Tents28 acres · Interlochen, MI

Want to feel like you’re out of the city and nestled up in the woods? Come to Mr. Joe’s Campground. All sites back in the woods are 50-100 feet away from the next. Woods, playground, frisbee golf course, and beautiful trees. Minutes from dozens of beautiful lakes, golf courses, Sand Dune‘s, light houses, vineyards, or maybe you would prefer to just sit around the fire, and tell stories and laugh. Duck Lake, Green Lake, Silver Lake, Long Lake, Lake Ann, Lake Dubonet are minutes away. Interlochen Golf Course right down the road. Bradleys, Dilbert's, Hofbrau, and Oakys are great restaurants within 3 miles.

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Chalet Getaway on 42 acres

2 sites · RVs, Tents42 acres · Cadillac, MI

This property has been in our family for over 60years. We owned the original farm house on the corner in the 60s with 50 acres. When our grandparents retired we sold the farmhouse and kep the acreage. With a strong desire to continue the tradition and memories we built a Chalet in 2000. Now, we carry on the activities of hiking, cycling and motorsports activities with our young boy/girl twins. We also very much sharing this special place with guests. We take hosting seriously and are view every piece of feedback as an opportunity to improve. 6 miles away you have Mitchell State Park. White sand, blue water and warm sunlight mesh to make a rockin’ vacation atmosphere at William Mitchell State Park. Whether you’re a fan of skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, fishing or swimming, you can give your next outdoor excursion a dash of something special here. Enjoy the celebratory vibe that comes along with seasonal festivals and top-notch picnicking on 300+ acres between Lakes Mitchell and Cadillac, or head out on the Mitchell-Heritage nature trail for superb wildlife viewing. The lakes are connected by a charming, historic canal that only adds to the pleasure of being in a unique waterfront area. The Carl T. Johnson Hunt and Fish center is a destination in itself, and kids will love the aquarium of local Michigan fish. Got your number yet? Loveable dorky niche activities, like paddleboating and metal detecting, play their part in the spontaneous fun of this outdoor sweet spot. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent or park your Camper on 42 acres of the best Northern Michigan has to offer. We are located 1 mile from the Manistee National Forest. Activities incluced hiking, biking, motorcycling, ATV, Side by Side and most any outdooractivity. We are located about 9 miles Northwest of Cadillac. The star gazing and serenity of the property are exceptional. Note: We have an 1.4 mile ATV track featuring berms and jumps on property. Pets are allowed. Please make sure you pick up after them.

The best camping near Traverse City State Park guide

Overview

About

All you city-dwelling nature seekers out there will no doubt appreciate Traverse City State Park’s two-mile proximity to the action of one of Michigan’s most bumpin’ resort towns. Brushing up against the Grand Traverse Bay, which provides this beautiful park with a ¼ mile of shoreline, this 47-acre urban escape is home to a National Cherry Festival and self-guided tours of fall tones, and near to wineries and casinos that can sure make for a memorable stay. Year-round camping with heated restrooms (Really? Yes!), this former home of the Ottaway branch of the Algonquin Indians now welcomes folks like you to enjoy the essence of the Great Outdoors.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Traverse City State Park is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and the park is in full bloom. Fall also offers a spectacular display of changing leaves. Winters can be harsh, and some facilities may be closed, so it's best to check ahead if planning a visit during the colder months.

Know before you go

Ensure you have a Recreation Passport for park entry, as it's required for all visitors.
Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for your adventure amid the park's diverse landscapes.
Trail lengths vary, so choose a hike that matches your fitness level and time constraints.
Remember to carry out all trash and keep the park pristine for fellow explorers.
For any inquiries or assistance, the park's contact information is readily available for your convenience.