The best camping near Lake Michigan

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Michigan adventure.

Lake Michigan: A Freshwater Paradise with Endless Adventure.

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Community favorites near Lake Michigan

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Michigan

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The summer camp experience

3 sites · Tents75 acres · Waupaca, WI

Camp Shin-Go-Beek is a youth summer camp located in central Wisconsin. When we're not running summer camp, we open the property up to Hipcampers. We have multiple large campsites for tent camping that can accommodate groups as large as 50 people, a few places for an RV could be set up at, and several cabins. The property is located on 2 quiet lakes, with great opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating. The swimming area has a great beach and a diving raft (depending on the season). We also have a large dining hall for indoor activities, and several outdoor program areas. We are just south of the Chain-o-lakes and Waupaca, so there's plenty to do a short drive away.

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Clear Water Camp

12 sites · RVs, Tents30 acres · Waupaca, WI

A private sanctuary with 30 acres located just north of Waupaca's Chain O' Lakes with groomed hiking and/or biking trails. Terrain is varied with ponds, hills, and valleys. Shower, potable water, and rec room available. PLEASE NOTE all wheel drive (AWD) is needed to park next to your site. If you don't have AWD, there's parking by the rec room. The roads get slick if it's rainy. Firewood is available for purchase in addition to a 24 x 32 rec room/storm shelter. Kayaks and SUPs available to rent too! The rec room offers a fun room full of games (ping pong, darts, and other fun games) and a living room area with multiple TVs. We have a kitchen area with a refrigerator (no water) with snacks, pizza, and beverages available. Head into town for shopping, coffee, and baked treats. Or head to the Chain for crystal clear water, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, skiing, or dining at one of Waupaca's signature restaurants. Clear Water Camping has a rich history. The location is where the stagecoach house (still standing) was built in 1847 to support the nearby granite quarry.

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Cricket Ranch

5 sites · Tents53 acres · Cascade, WI

We are honored to again be named one of the Best Hipcamps in Wisconsin for 2024. Thank you to our guests for your wonderful reviews and helpful suggestions! And a special thank you to one of our guests, Brandon "Da Garbage Disposal" Clark, for featuring Cricket Ranch in his YouTube series "Outdoors Unsupervised: Survival Season 6". Learn more about this land: Cricket Ranch is a crazy combo of Nature's past, present, and future. The property was a farm with 75% of it corn fields until 30 years ago. It has been virtually untouched since then and in just a few decades it has reinvented itself as a forest. Chambers Creek runs thru the west side of the property. As a headwater of the Milwaukee River, it is part of the Great Lakes Basin and a source for Lake Michigan. Wisconsin has identified Chambers Creek as an Exceptional Resource Water (ERWs), Less than 10% of Wisconsin waterways carry this designation. What we do (or don't do) now affects the Great Lakes later. And you'll find fossils in the rock walls of some of the earliest examples of complex life on Earth (from 460 mya, Ordovician, Cambrian). No digging required. Seriously. How they got there is a very long story in the making and involves ancient inland seas, plate tectonics, glaciers, German immigrants, and 19th-20th century farming. Off the Beaten Path @ Cricket Ranch provides a true back to nature environment for campers, sometimes called "backcountry camping". Located on 50 acres of private forest, field, and valley, our campsites are very secluded and separated by acres of woodland. Each layout is unique, embracing what nature has provided. Backpacking (or wagoning) to your camp from the parking area is necessary as the 5' wide paths do not accommodate cars/trucks. Hiking distance from parking area: (1) Camp Cricket is 600 Ft. (2) Haen Hollow is 250 ft. (3) Rocky Top is 700 ft. (4) Grapeline is 1000 ft. Feel fee to explore the land! We are located near the Niagara Escarpment so, as previously mentioned, you might even find a 460 million year old fossil on one of the field rock walls. Keep it! So we can keep a count of how many are found, and out of an overabundance of curiosity, please let us know and send some pics of your find. Chambers Creek provides a spot to cool your feet, stone step, or just listen to the relaxing sound of a babbling brook. The creek is overgrown with brush so access is limited but we do have a trail that follows the creek for about 300 yds. We intend to clear some more of the underbrush in the near future to allow for better enjoyment and management of this invaluable natural resource. Near by: Kettle Moraine National Forest is a 10 minute drive, boasting great hiking and the can't-miss-it view from atop Parnell Tower. Lake Ellen has a nice no-fee public boat landing just 2 miles away. The lake has clear water and is stocked periodically with Pike and Walleye. It is surprising how un-busy this lake is so bring your boat, kayak, paddle board, and/or assorted flotation devices and check it out. Our parking area can accommodate boat trailers during your stay.

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Purplehaze Acres

9 sites · Lodging, Tents60 acres · Rubicon, WI

Purplehaze Acres is a 60-acre organic rustic farm in Rubicon, WI and resides at the beginning of the approx. 650-mile Niagara Escarpment--known locally as "The Ledge". We are in close proximity to the Ice Age Trail, and the natural treasures of the great Horicon Marsh, Lake Sinnissipi/Rock River with canoeing/kayaking/fishing, Ledges County Park, and the world-renowned Holy Hill Shrine. Nearby Hustisford ("Husti") offers unique shopping and dining experiences. Need a few organic groceries? Make sure to visit Back To The Best Organic grocer only 3 miles away, featuring food raised on local organic farms including Purplehaze Acres. We offer a variety of camping alternatives, with 7 tent sites, 1 group site, and a cabin. There is potable water, charcoal grills, firepit grates, eggs and, available for purchase, firewood. COMING SOON: Did you forget something? If so, check out our Camp Cupboard Store. Your approach via 1/2-mile dirt drive up the hills and through the woods . . . to not your grandmother's typical house you go. You'll find wonderful vistas, wildflowers, berries, trails up into the woods, a 900' grass runway for aviators on an overall great "peace" of earth. ☮

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The G Farm

1 site · Lodging27 acres · Larsen, WI

Ever want to leave your job and unite with nature? Me too, after 10-plus years of tax preparation, I found myself with a desire to farm and to become closer to the food we take for granted. This farm is unique in that it was cleared and stripped of its topsoil and its fill was sold off to the state. What was left behind was a pond and some poor farmland. I purchased this less desirable property inexpensively and have been working tirelessly to regenerate the property to a farm that mimics nature and our natural ecosystem. I have planted over 1000 trees and perennial shrubs to move this property into an oak savannah-like natural farming system. In 2015 I purchased this property without any farming experience and have begun to transform this property into a beautiful destination. We look forward to seeing you and welcoming you into our ecosystem.

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RileyCrest Farm

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents60 acres · Amherst, WI

Riley Crest Farm is located in Amherst, Wisconsin. Close to Hartman Creek St Park, on the north side of Hwy 54. We are diversified farm. We have a small herd of dairy cows, 100 dairy/meat goats, a horse named Willow, a couple pigs, lots of cats and a dog. We specialize in goats for meat and milk, 100 grazing girls roam 30 acres of pasture close to camping. Our goats are very friendly. We are currently not milking goats. We have a spring fed 3 acre pond to paddle around if the water level is high enough. Swimming not recommended. Primitive tent and camper sites available. We welcome horses, bring your own fence. Trails on farm for walking or riding and close to Hartman Creek State Park trails. Dogs are okay, but must be on a leash for the safety of our livestock. Our on site camper offers a bathroom, no shower. Gas generator to run electricity is included for lights and basic appliances. Bring your own water containers, available to fill at the farm. We can accommodate larger groups. You can book the whole site for private setting too. Welcome to the farm!

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Pondfront RV Site near Road America

1 site · RV1 acre · Glenbeulah, WI

Our pond front RV site is located on the northern tip of the Kettle Moraine Forest within 300 yards of the hiking trails. 2 miles from the gates at Road America, Elkhart Lake WI, and Elkhart’s swimming, biking trails and great restaurants. 30 Amp power and water hook ups for RV's are available. The Kettle Moraine Ice AgeTrail is just across the pond. The Glenbeulah Millpond offers fishing and kayaking and we provide free use of our kayak and paddleboat. We usually have a bunch of firewood for the included firepit and a nice table and chairs for your picnics. Swimming is near by at Elkhart Lake and the mountain biking trails in the Kettle Moraine Forest are wonderful. There is WiFi. We have a dog that is overly friendly and will hang out near your camper. If you want to bring your pets we ask that you talk with us first to make sure they will all get along. We do not have a sewer connection for your black and grey water tanks but there is a dump station just 4 miles away. There are no toilet facilities on site.

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Wisconsin River Sandbar Camping

2 sites · Tents1 acre · Poynette, WI

Learn more about this land:Hi there! We are Wild Wisco Waters and we offer canoe overnight sandbar camping trips on the Wisconsin River near the Wisconsin Dells and Lake Wisconsin. Meet us at the Dekorra landing free parking lot in Poynette and we'll bring you upriver with all the paddling gear you'll need for your river adventure. Paddle downriver and find a sandbar to call your own for the night! Build a bonfire, set up your tent, and enjoy a night under the stars. In the morning pack up camp and paddle downriver to your take out where your car is waiting for your next journey. The initial price includes the Pine Island Overnight Trip Package ($100) that includes a two-day canoe rental, upriver shuttle, and all of your paddling equipment. Additional tickets include a two-day canoe rental priced per person ($25/person/day) with all of your paddling equipment. We are a family-owned and operated outfitter that can create custom trips to fit our camper's unique needs. We also offer day paddle trips and guided fishing tours. We can accommodate large groups and are happy to answer any questions you may have. Call anytime! 608.617.0998We are dedicated to connecting people with the wonders of Wisconsin's beautiful waterways and are excited to help plan your next great summer adventure!

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Hoofbeat Hollow Camp

10 sites · RVs, Tents120 acres · Ashippun, WI

Our private farm on rolling hay land with acres of Hardwoods and Pinewoods...well maintained walking trails....very private...with animal petting area with different activities available....on certain dates during the fall.. We have tent sites as well as large RV/drive in and out trailer sites...and group sites

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Armstrong Orchard & Spoonlickers

15 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Campbellsport, WI

We have a small apple orchard on 5 acres and we have a big open field. We have a small playground and some picnic tables. Also, right next to the café and ice cream and parking lot. There are porta potties outside. It is very scenic, nestled in the Kettle Moraine Forest. Very peaceful and private property surrounded by trees. You can see the stars well at night and we often have deer on the property. Dogs are welcome.

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Maple Street Retreat

1 site · RV1 acre · Oxford, WI

Beautiful private campsite located right up the street from Goose lake beach and boat landing. Get ready to pack your days with lake time goodness of all sorts! Level lot that is easy to back into. Goose lake is a 81 acre lake with a maximum depth of 22 feet. It offers great swimming, fishing and kayaking as well as wake hours from 11-5:30. We have a great campfire area and picnic table on site. The campsite is located 25 minutes from Wisconsin Dells. This is an RV/camper site with electric hookup available no water or sewer.

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EAA Availability

3 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Berlin, WI

Enjoying camping myself, I cleared my property in hopes to be able to share it with others interested in boondocking.Learn more about this land:Country setting in the middle of everything! Convenient highway access allows you to easily enjoy the Fox Valleys most popular attractions. Just 10 miles from Oshkosh, enjoy popular events such as EAA, Country USA and Rock USA while avoiding the hustle and bustle. Centrally located between the beautiful Green Lake and Lake Winnebago, just 4 miles from a Fox River boat launch. Minutes away from other local attractions such as the Mascoutin Valley State Trail (walking, biking, horse back riding, snowmobiling), Vines and Rushes Winery, Pure Class Distillery, historic downtown Ripon and the famous Princeton Flea Market. Plenty of room and multiple entries for ease of maneuverability for any size vehicle. A little over 1.5 acres of mostly flat field gives a lot of available space for boondocking.

The best camping near Lake Michigan guide

Overview

About

Sugar sand beaches, rolling dunes, and deep blue waters aren't all you'll find at the fifth largest lake in the world. Spanning four states, Lake Michigan has no shortage of opportunities for fun and relaxation. With so many opportunities for water sports and lakeside recreation, this region has everything you could ask for on a camping trip. Countless miles of lakeside trails are sure to entertain hikers of all experience levels. Serene dune trails and stunning lakeshore vistas are abundant in what is considered an essential experience for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Notable campgrounds

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: Camp amid towering dunes with views that stretch to the horizon.
Michigan State Parks: Choose from a variety of campsites offering a symphony of waves as your nighttime serenade.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early to secure your spot in these sought-after campgrounds.
Consider off-peak seasons for greater availability and a quieter experience.
Keep an eye on cancellation policies for last-minute opportunities.
Explore nearby camping options to increase your chances of finding the perfect site.

When to go

The best time to visit Lake Michigan is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and the lake is bustling with activity. Spring and fall offer quieter visits with cooler temperatures, while winter presents a stark, frozen beauty that is equally captivating.

Know before you go

Always prioritize safety; the Great Lakes can be unpredictable, so heed water and pier safety advice.
Check for any park closures or restrictions before your visit.
Accessible travel options are available for those with mobility concerns.
State parks offer a range of amenities, including restrooms and picnic areas.
Remember to pack essentials for outdoor activities and overnight stays.