Best Camping in and near Ludington State Park

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

Take a beach break at two lakes in one at this sandy state park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Ludington State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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

Top-rated campgrounds near Ludington State Park

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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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Winding River Campground

70 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Benzonia, MI

Majestic River Centric Campground is nestled on 11 acres of land overlooking the Betsie River. We are right off of US-31 before downtown Beulah. We are known as a fishing destination and many locals have said our 1900ft of frontage on the Betsie has the best fishing holes of any stretch from Homestead Dam to Grace Road. We have over 100+ camping sites with approx. 75 sites available for daily, weekly, and monthly rentals with a variety of stay options that meet your needs including RV rentals, tenting and car camping sites, river sites, highland sites close to the pool and camper amenities, glamping options, two cabin rentals, and one frame rental. Weekly and monthly activities include live music, food trucks, fishing lessons, tap takeovers, electric bikes, kayak rentals, hay rides, farm animals, crocket/horseshoe/bags tournaments and much more. Make your next Northern Michigan Visit HERE at Winding River Campground! For seasonal rates please call our main office and our staff can provide you with information. Open Dates: March 16 to November 1

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PV's Campground and Resort

15 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · White Cloud, MI

We sit on over 50 acres that has been in our family for over 40 years.

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Camp Aylaway

1 site · RV, Tent7 acres · Beulah, MI

Welcome to your beautiful base camp to explore all the best that Northern Michigan has to offer! You'll have 7 acres of land all to yourself, with a combination of pine and maple forests, located across from thousands of acres of State land with many snowmobile trails. Bring your bikes and head 1 mile on our dirt road to the Betsie River Trail where you can bike to Crystal Lake in 30 minutes. We're so close to Crystal Lake, Frankfort, Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, wine country, and many wonderful bars and restaurants. We're more than happy to send you recommendations of what to do, eat, and drink during your stay! We have a covered picnic area, campfire ring, and basic pit toilet on site, with water and electricity coming soon, but be prepared to bring what you need and please take everything you bring with you :) We can tell you where to get water nearby if needed. We welcome both tents and RVs on our land, and are happy to accommodate larger groups for an additional fee.

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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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Deer Run Retreat

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents20 acres · Manistee, MI

Escape the hustle and bustle at Deer Run Retreat, a haven for those seeking tranquility and new memories in the embrace of nature. Here, you can wake up to the sight of deer grazing in the pasture and spend your evenings by the fireplace, gazing up at a sky adorned with countless stars. Our retreat offers a serene environment to unwind and relax, providing a peaceful getaway from the demands of everyday life. Whether you're drawn to the Little River Casino, historic downtown Manistee, or the array of outdoor activities like boating, fishing, tubing, and hiking, you'll find something for everyone in the surrounding area. We provide two gravel pads with full hook-ups for RVs and an additional grassy area with electric and water hook-ups. For those without their camper, we offer the option to rent a beautiful camper on-site. Deer Run Retreat is designed to be family-friendly, creating the perfect backdrop for building lasting memories with your loved ones. Come and rejuvenate at Deer Run Retreat, where the beauty of nature meets the comfort of a welcoming retreat. We can't wait to host your stay!

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Sandy Fern Campsite

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Baldwin, MI

Our property is 1 acre of land nestled in Baldwin MI. It is filled with white pines and black oak trees. It is walking distance from a swimmable and fishable lake called Rattlesnake Lake. 2 miles away is Idlewild lake with a beach, toilet and wifi. There are hundreds of miles of ORV trails. Our site is 2 miles from downtown Baldwin.

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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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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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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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The Still Point Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Thompsonville, MI

The 40-acre property is picturesque with pastures, open fields and pockets of trees. The entire property is encircled by mature pines and hardwoods. Take a stroll through the woods or wander amongst the century old apple trees. Enjoy the stunning views of Turtle Lake Ridge or visit one of the many local attractions that are nearby: Crystal Mountain Resort (9 mi), St. Ambrose Cellars (5 mi), Sleeping Bear Dunes (26 mi), Honor-canoeing (8 mi), Beulah-shopping (10 mi), Frankfort-Lake Michigan (17 mi), Iron Fish Distillery (12 mi), Turtle Lake Campground (3 mi), Blue Bridge Events Centre (13 mi), Traverse City (25 mi). The land is flat and sandy with grassy fields and clusters of trees and forrest areas. For RV camping, there is one location with water and electrical (30 amp). For rustic camping, there are 2 tree-lined acloves to choose from with fire rings and water access a short distance from the sites. Come and ride! The property backs up on 2 sides to State land and the year-round groomed trails are a couple hundred feet from the property line. Whether it is horsepower or horseback, the trails are just steps away. There is plenty of room for parking your trailer and even your horse! Please contact me in advance for day pass or short-term board of your horse. Separate fee from listing. Whatever your plans, we know you will enjoy the serenity of The Still Point! *This is a working horse farm with a barn, horses and paddocks which we kindly ask are off-limits (unless pre-arrangements have been made). Our horses are beautiful to look at, however, some are rescues and we ask that you respect their space and not feed them (allergies/special diets). Also, they sometimes mistake fingers for carrots! Please do not enter or reach into any enclosures. Electric fences in use! Staff and owners will be on-site daily to care for the animals.

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Timberline Campground

101 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Benzonia, MI

On the cusp of Crystal Lake, where the Betsie River flows, your Timberline Campground awaits in the place where the heart of the camper glows. The go-to base camp for the expert angler and avid boater, we’re famous for trout and salmon fishing. First-time campers and seasoned explorers drop in as part of a longer Michigan expedition or stay all season. We’re a large campground and spacious, with about every conceivable configuration of RV site you can imagine. The accommodations are ample, and we’re very strategic in locating the conveniences, close and easy to get to, whether you’re driving your home, pulling it or pitching it. Our RV sites have water, electric and sewer with pull-throughs, back-ins, and buddy back-ins with 30/50-amp electric service options. We have primitive sites for tenting and a rentable cabin for those who don’t want to rough it. Whatever your camping style, you’ll have easy access to all the good stuff. Our emphasis is on providing all the recreation you could want while you’re at the campgrounds. In fact, plenty of our guests spend their vacations in our heated pools, jamming on the basketball court and hiking around the nearby Michigan beauty. With lots of storage available for boats and RVs, Timberline is the perfect home base for the whole season.

The best camping near Ludington State Park guide

Overview

About

Miles of sandy shores, forested dunes, and marshlands stretch between the east bank of Lake Michigan and the west bank of Hamlin Lake at Ludington State Park. Take your pick of lakeside beaches to swim, canoe, or boat, then head inland to tube, paddle, or fish along the Big Sable River. Prefer hiking? There are more than 24 miles of trails to explore, so perhaps hike to Big Sable Point Lighthouse or spot bald eagles along the Island Trail. Campers have options, too, with three campgrounds providing easy access to both lake shores, plus hike-in tent sites hidden away in the dunes.

Notable campgrounds

Best for beachside camping: Pines Campground has 100 sites, all with electric hook-ups, within a short walk of the beach
Best for winter campers: Cedar Campground is the only one of the campgrounds open year-round, although facilities are limited from November through March.
Best for boat access: Beechwood Campground has 148 sites, all with electric hook-ups, close to the swimming beach and boat launch on Hamlin Lake.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve sites at any of the three campgrounds at Ludington State Park via the Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations website.
Campsite reservations open six months in advance.
Campsites and cabins can fill up quickly for summer and holiday weekends, and it’s not uncommon for sites to book up as soon as they’re available. Plan well in advance and book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

When to go

There’s outdoor fun to be had in all four seasons. While the swimming beaches pull in the crowds in summer, leaf-peepers will want to hit the trails in fall, and come winter; there’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Camping is possible year-round, but two sites are seasonal—Beechwood opens from June through October only, while Pines opens from April through October.

Know before you go

Ludington State Park is on the east shore of Lake Michigan, seven miles north of Ludington or about a 10-minute drive away.
A Recreation Passport is required to visit all Michigan state parks. Camping reservation fees also apply.
Facilities include picnic areas, restrooms, and food concessions at both beaches. Hamlin Lake also has a boat launch and kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard rentals.
There are accessible campsites, restrooms, and swimming beaches at Ludington State Park.