Family-friendly forest camping in Michigan
With lakes and forests covering two-thirds of the state, Michigan is a camper's paradise.
99% (3329 reviews)
- Michigan
99% (3329 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Michigan
Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in Michigan
12 top forest campgrounds in Michigan
97%
(376)
Million $ Sunset Camp
8 sites · RVs, Tents8 acres · Harbor Springs, MI
Pitch your tent and listen to the waves of Sturgeon Bay on Lake Michigan. Fantastic Sunsets. Located half way between Harbor Springs and Mackinaw City. Walking distance to famous Legs Inn in Cross Village, MI. The property currently includes 8 campsites with a board walk on the east portion of the Lake side portion of the property to access the Lake MI Beach.
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$28.50
/ night
98%
(222)
Blooming Bus Farms
9 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents15 acres · Niles, MI
Blooming Bus farms is a working urban flower, vegetable and fiber farm practicing sustainable, organic, natural farming practices. Spread out over 15 acres, upon completion, you’ll find 4 yurt sites and 3 byo tent sites. Working hard contributing to our compost are our alpaca and free range chickens. While this is a working farm, we try to not run any equipment before 10:00am! Inquire about reserving the entire property to host your group getaway!
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$35
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(313)
Heritage Hills
6 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Ishpeming, MI
Heritage Hills isn't called Heritage Hills for nothing! It's situated on 21 acres of what was the original Wawonowin Country Club, a 9-hole golf course that was built in the early 1800s and then closed in the mid 1960s. And now we have a beautiful mix of hardwoods and pines, forests and fields with multiplied non-motorized trails accessible right off the property. The very popular RAMBA bike trails are literally an ‘stones throw’ away! Our biggest site, Fairway Field is big enough for group camping that horse campers love, and one site, the Homestead, with an electric hookup. We don’t have a dump station or trash cans so please pack in and pack out.
Phone signal is good throughout the area and we are close to civilization for necessities and only 20 minutes from Marquette. So much stuff to do in this area!
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$25
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97%
(334)
Explore the U.P. from here!
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Newberry, MI
A simple PRIVATE and affordable campsite should be this easy!
Two choices: Come sleep in a levitating tent already set up, at
Sites 2,3, and 4. (Room for your own tent too if you prefer)
OR
Your own camper or tent. (Site1)
in a quiet, private location.
Campsite neighbors are out of sight, you have privacy here!
All sites have their own private entrances, you can’t see any sites or buildings, and they are very spaced-out.
My location is situated PERFECTLY central to the major UP attractions Pictured Rocks, Tahquamenon Falls and Kitchittikippi. And there’s even a convenience store within walking distance!
Showers are also available in town (Pickelmans gas station).
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$19.58
/ night
96%
(277)
Life Adventures
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents43 acres · Saranac, MI
Sleep to the sound of tree frogs, owls, distant coyotes, and maybe even wake to sounds of chickens in the morning. Walk thru a glitter of fire flies down a trail at night. My black labs Luke and Kiwi will likely visit your site to say hello and are super chill. 2 disc golf Black Hole Pro baskets on site to practice with.
Only 30 minutes east of Grand Rapids, this property was established as a Youth Camp for 15 years is now a private event venue and campground, so it has nice amenities like FULL restrooms, a picnic shelter, and even a few small cabins that can be rented.
Swimming beach is available in Lowell a few miles away.
Fishing rivers and lakes are also in the area. (live bait in Saranac)
Woods site and Open Area have a few different locations you can choose from.
If woods or open shows booked already, please contact me.
Additional fee of $20 per extra tent/camper that sleeps an adult.
Picnic shelter is also available.
Use my website to RSVP entire camp area for an event such as wedding.
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$20
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98%
(80)
Elli's Lazy Days Resort & Campground
13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents8 acres · Manistique, MI
Beautiful campground located on the Westshore of Indian Lake in Manistique, MI near Big Springs ( Kitch-iti-kipi), Hiawatha National Forest and many ATV/Snowmobile trails.
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$25
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99%
(504)
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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$60
/ night
98%
(64)
DaltonTraders Base Camp-Grand Cabin
3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Muskegon, MI
40 acre secluded wood lot located:
10 miles from Lake Michigan public beaches.
5 miles from Michigan’s Adventure amusement park.
4 miles from Thunderbird Raceway
2 miles from US 31 expressway.
3 miles from shopping, bars and restaurants.
1 mile from public golf course.
5 miles from downtown Muskegon.
8 miles from Lake Express cross lake ferry terminal.
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$40
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99%
(353)
Bear Tree Homestead
3 sites · Lodging50 acres · Trowbridge Park, MI
Bear Tree Homestead is nestled among the cliffs and ravines which drains the south face of Hogback Mountain located in Marquette Township Michigan.
Hogback Mountain is one of the larger rock formations in the Huron Range, a surprisingly rugged, and diverse region of low mountains carved by glaciers.
Each cabin is hand-built of log and stone using traditional Scandinavian building tools and techniques.
Our buildings, gardens, and pastures are integrated into the forested landscape and are not your typical homestead.
One of the most wonderful things we have to offer is the accessibility to thousands of protected acres surrounding us and the trails that bisect them.
We are located 8 miles from downtown Marquette in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where there are many great restaurants, shops, and brewpubs.
However, once you drive into Bear Tree Homestead and settle in you will not want to leave.
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$95
/ night
100%
(604)
Mulln-Heim Vineyards
3 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Baroda, MI
This is a 3rd generation "Family Farm" of a different sort I suppose. Seems there's a bit of everything here, and arguably not enough of anything. At least for conventional farming. So we've learned to do things a bit differently.Our main crop is wine and juice grapes since our topography, climate, and soil type makes it a premier location for that. But with 30+ acres of forested hillsides, low ground, and natural areas we've evolved into a mixed farm and forest enterprise. Our goal is to utilize the productivity of all our property while still retaining the basic character and usefulness of the wild areas. Letting each thing be what it wants to be and does best on it's own. Flow, not force.So our year starts early with tapping maple trees and making maple syrup. Plus there's grape trimming about this time as well. When the forest floor starts to green up a bit later, we start digging Ramps, or Wild Leeks in the woods. Most of these will go to the more trendy Chicago restaurants, but we also have some local sales. Next comes inoculating winter-cut logs with Shiitake spawn for next years mushroom production. This year we also conducted a few hands-on workshop seminars on mushroom growing as well. Then it's on to our raised bed herb & veggie gardens. (Fresh herbs are just so much fun to cook with!) We grow enough for our own yearly use, as well as some for direct sales. Summer keeps us busy tending all the different crops here and trying to keep up. But there's that steady progression of fresh veggies to eat. Yum !!! Fall brings our annual Grape U-Pick in September and October. And we try to time related crops like mums, pumpkins, and gourds for this same time frame. Makes the place a bit more interesting. Late fall is when we bring in firewood to heat the house and workshop. Stacks of wood everywhere. Hopefully before the 1st snow. In winter it's time to fire up the woodworking shop and be a bit creative. Build furniture, equipment maintenance, who knows what next years projects will include. I like to keep everybody guessing.So, that's what goes on here. You're welcome to check it out, lend a hand, relax back at camp, walk the vineyards and/or forest, or just breathe and relax. That's up to you. But I would recommend visiting a few of the fine local wineries. Seems there's a festival going on at one or another of them just about every weekend. Good music, good wine, good times. And there's the Lake Michigan beaches a few miles down the road.Yeah, this is a pretty casual place here, love meeting new people, very open to civil discussions of all sorts.However, rude, ill mannered people will probably enjoy staying elsewhere. Just say'n.
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$40
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(101)
Oak Ridge Farm
5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents80 acres · Coleman, MI
Oak Ridge Farm is located on 80 acres in the Mid-Michigan area, halfway between Midland and Mt. Pleasant. We are in the process of creating a self-sustainable, homestead vegetable and fruit farm. Our property is quiet, and the moon and stars are amazing to see on a clear night. If you're looking for a quiet place to get away from it all, look no further!
There is plenty to see and do right around our property. Lots of wildlife including; Sandhill Cranes, deer, turkeys, porcupines, geese, rabbits etc. We have a walking/hiking path that you can explore through our property as well as hundreds of acres of state land right next door! Campsites are situated around our beautiful pond where the sunrises cannot be beat. Kayaks and a row boat are available for our guests to explore the pond.
The AuSable State Forest neighbors our property line and can be accessed from multiple different areas right near the property. There are many trails for horseback riding, dirt bikes, ATVs/UTVs, hiking and mountain biking. The Chippewa River is very close and many enjoy kayaking, canoeing or tubing this river.
Only 18 mins away is the Pine Haven Recreation Area in Sanford. This park has 12 miles of hiking, cross country skiing and mountain biking trails. Horseback riding trails are also available at this park.
Places to see and things to do:
- Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort, Mt. Pleasant
- Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant
- Isabella County Farmers Market, Mt. Pleasant
- Great Lakes Loons at Dow Diamond, Midland
- Dow Gardens, Midland
- Whiting Forest (Nation's Longest Canopy Walk), Midland
-Midland Area Farmers Market
- 1 hour from beautiful Higgins Lake
- 45 minutes from Bay City
- Sanford Lake restoration estimated late 2024
Midland and Mt. Pleasant are each located about 20-25 mins from our property.
Please note that campsites are rustic. Porta-john, hose connect water and shower house are available during seasonal times (May 1 to Oct 1). Campfire rings are located at each campsite and firewood is available to purchase.
My family and I live full-time on our property. We have 3 young children and a sweet dog that loves people and other kids. On hot summer days we often join our campers at the pond to cool off! On weekends we love to work in our large garden, take care of our chickens, have a campfire, and play outside. We are so excited to host you this camping season and hope you enjoy your stay at Peaceful Pines on Oakridge Farm!
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$25
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(71)
White Pine Farm HipCamping
6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Ann Arbor, MI
EVENTS; LARGE GROUPS - We are hosting events! Graduation parties, small weddings, family reunions, you name it. You can rent the whole campground for a day a night, a weekend, or a whole week if that suits your need. Just send us a message and we can talk about it. We can also accommodate large groups at a single campsite or you can rent several of them. Our primary guideline is that if your event will be held while other campers are here, it cannot disturb them. So, consider renting the whole campground: we can work with you on a reasonable price.
IMPORTANT NOTICE 1 - If you book a site for the Labor Day Weekend, please be advised that a neighbor holds a camping event at the same time and there will be some noise from 4 wheelers on their property. If this kind of activity wouldn't bother you then feel free to come stay with us! We'd love to have you.
IMPORTANT NOTICE 2: Please plan to arrive and set up camp between 3 and 9 PM. If you are planning to arrive after 9 PM, please send us a message letting us know. We decide on a case by case basis since we prefer not to have late arrivals. In any event we do not accept arrivals after 11 PM except in an emergency since many campers and your host may have already gone to bed.
Overview:
Our beautiful 10 acre farm and homestead is situated between Ann Arbor and Dexter not far from the Huron River. The 5 acre area where our campsites are located is wooded with mature oak, maple, walnut, elm, and white pine trees. We're isolated and surrounded by wild areas and natural farm land but just a 10 minute drive to restaurants, groceries, fuel, and other amenities. The Ann Arbor area is home to a huge array of world class events from the Ark music venue to National Champions Michigan home football games and a whole lot more. Downtown Ann Arbor or Dexter or Chelsea is only a 15 minute car drive. White Lotus Farms, which has a wonderful farm market on Saturdays from 9 - 2 and Wednesdays from 9 - 1, is a 10 minute walk down our dirt road. If you forget to bring something that you need, don't hesitate to ask! We've got a growing number of camping essentials for rent or sale for very reasonable prices that can make your stay even more enjoyable: from bug repellants to camp chairs, potable water in 2.5 - 5 gallon containers, and more.
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$45
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Available this weekend
Under $50
Family-friendly forest camping in Michigan guide
Overview
When it comes to natural attractions, Michigan holds all the aces. This landlocked state has more state parks and state forests than any other, miles of coastline, and more than 10,000 lakes—which means you’ll never be more than six miles from the water. Some of the best camping is found on the beaches and islands of the Great Lakes, so plan a summer getaway to swim, fish, and kayak, or a fall camping trip to admire Michigan’s spectacular foliage. Winter is best suited for RV camping, with snow blanketing much of the state from November through March.
Where to go
Upper Peninsula
The Upper Peninsula is Michigan’s wild toupée, with swathes of old-growth forests, sandy beaches, and inland lakes stretching along the southern shore of Lake Superior. This is the spot to escape the crowds, whether pitching your tent by the sand dunes in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, parking your RV by a waterfall in Tahquamenon Falls State Park, or yurt camping in the Porcupine Mountains. For the ultimate camping experience, the Hiawatha National Forest has some 60 campsites to choose from.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Bordered by Lake Michigan to the West and Lake Huron to the east, the northern Lower Peninsula has the highest concentration of Michigan state parks. Miles of mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking trails await in the Huron National Forest, where you can choose from modern campgrounds or backcountry camping. Along the coast, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a must-see, Wilderness State Park is a dark sky reserve, and Ludington State Park Beach is a family favorite.
Southwest Michigan
Grand Rapids is the gateway to Michigan’s southwest, where the shore of Lake Michigan provides plenty of options for a summer camping trip. Lakefront cities such as South Haven, Benton Harbor, and Holland have sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, and seafront campgrounds. Forget tent camping in the wilderness—RV sites come equipped with full hookups, playgrounds, and watercraft rentals.
Southeast Michigan
Michigan's "Thumb" juts out along the west shore of Lake Huron, where Sleeper State Park and Port Crescent State Park are the big draws for campers. Below this, the west coast is ideal for a road trip, peppered with shipwreck dive sites, secluded beaches, and golf courses. South of Detroit and Lake St. Clair, Sterling State Park is the only state park on the shore of Lake Erie, with a mix of RV and tent sites by the beach.
Popular Michigan trips
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