The best camping near Onaway State Park

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

Onaway State Park: A haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

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

Top-rated campgrounds near Onaway State Park

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Just Show Up Camping

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · Saint Ignace, MI

The Grand Retreat, featuring Just Show Up Camping and Captain’s Quarters, is located right on US2 for easy access to several great locations, including Mackinac Island, Mackinac City, Tahquemenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, Grand Marais, and the Soo Locks. Our campsites are all “man-made” and put you into ancient glacial created forest floors with old-growth white pines. We have a bath

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Lake Huron frontage Campsite

1 site · RV, Tent3 acres · De Tour Village, MI

Learn more about this land: The serenity is breathtaking! Entire 3 acre place is just ready just for you to enjoy. Electric 30 amp, 50 amp and regular 110 outlet is now FREE with nightly stay! There is a gated, leveled gravel 45x60 pad for parking your RV or Motorhome. You can tent camp down on the grass if you like. Dead end seasonal private road leads you to this secluded property. Road is not plowed during winter. Do Not park else where! No running water. No restrooms. Please if using tents have your own portable restroom. 232 feet of amazing Lake Huron shore frontage for you to enjoy and play on. Strawberry Island is in eyesight. Watch the ships coming and going from the shore. AT and T cell service on property. You must take your trash with you when you leave. If you are bringing your fur animal, please pick up after them.If you smoke please do not through the butts on the ground. you will be charged a cleaning fee. **There are 2 cameras on the property for security reasons only. 1 is located at the pad, used to see when you arrive and checkout. and will also will take 1 picture daily. There is another camera on my shed facing the shed door as well for security. This camera will not be turned off. Please understand, I'm not near my property and this is my only way to check in. If you are not comfortable with this, please do not book and do not cover the cameras. You will be asked to leave immediately if cameras are covered. Policy is as long as they are not invading sleeping areas or bathrooms, cameras are allowed. Please understand I really want you to enjoy your stay, but I also need to protect myself. This is no different than cameras on outside of a house or in Hotel hallways and outside property.

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Grateful Acres

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Hello and Welcome to Grateful Acres!! I have two sites available that will accommodate both travel trailers, as well as tents. Both have 30amp RV and 120v outlets, as well as lights for late arrival setup. In the welcome Hut, you will find dry firewood for purchase, as well as a refrigerator and freezer for use by our guests. Each site has its own labeled shelf to keep your perishables fresh. Also available are organic farm fresh eggs, cold soda, and bottled water, as well as bags of ice in the freezer. At Grateful Acres we aim to make your stay with us, as enjoyable as possible. The two sites sit on 3 beautiful, quiet acres in Northern Michigan. Site #1 is flat, open, and spacious, while site #2 is a bit more enclosed and private tucked into the trees. Both sites come furnished with a picnic table, a fire ring with attached grill for cooking and 2 adirondack chairs. The Star gazing at night is absolutley Amazing!! The property is centrally located between Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Alanson. Nearby are many lakes, rivers, state forests, mountain biking trails, golf courses and ski resorts. Come on up. Stay at Grateful Acres and enjoy all that Beautiful Northern Michigan has to offer.

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Farm Haven

4 sites · RVs, Tents7 acres · Harbor Springs, MI

Over 7 acres of gentle sloping meadow with views of Lake Michigan, beside a growing family farm and homestead. Our gently sloped meadow and shady pine grove are perfect for campers seeking more private, quiet camping, and the Upper Room invites you indoors, while enjoying the outdoors. In the pine grove, a freestanding deck overlooks Lake Michigan, with views of Beaver Island and Great Lakes freighters. On clear nights you can glimpse beams from a handful of lighthouses. The pine trees offer shade and protection from weather without blocking the breeze (and the pine duff creates a spectacularly soft ground for sleeping on). Or set up your tent on the hillside--open your flap to Lake Michigan's famous sunsets, or face south to see a blanket of treetops. Near the barn, your RV has a flat spot to park at the base of the "Southern Slope" meadow full of wildflowers and monarch butterflies. For guests wanting more creature comforts, the Upper Room Glamp Apartment has all the amenities--television, queen bed, dry kitchenette, and access to the main house bathroom and shower. All options have access to fire rings and views of countless stars on a clear night. You'll be staying minutes from multiple beaches for swimming, boating, fishing, and rock-hunting. Our sites make a great HQ for day trips to Mackinac Island, Beaver Island, Mackinaw City, Petoskey, and Charlevoix, or a way-point on Fall Color Tours or drives up the Tunnel of Trees on M-119. The famous Legs Inn and Petoskey Brewing Company's 2nd location are only a mile away, Moose Jaw Junction is close, and one can walk to the Crow's Nest Restaurant. From here, it's only a short drive to downtown Harbor Springs for additional fine dining and shopping. We are a young family of four, starting a family farm, and we are eager to share our homestead with you.

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80 acres of Secluded Camping

1 site · RV, Tent80 acres · Boyne Falls, MI

Learn more about this land:Tired of campground crowds? Get away from it all with complete privacy on 80 acres connected to Gaylord State Forest. Just outside of Boyne Falls, 15 min from Petoskey and close to many lakes, our property is located at the end of a dead end road. Enjoy Boyne Valley and Boyne Mountain views from easy to access private and primitive camping. Appreciate all that Northern Michigan has to offer with serene and relaxing wooded trails that can be followed onto state land (miles of hiking/ORV/Snowmobile trails). Visit nearby Lake Charlevoix, Walloon Lake, or Thumb Lake for boating/swimming/paddling, or Bear Creek Nature Preserve for additional hiking/natural areas. Choose the main meadow for van/car/trailer/RV camping, or take a short hike through the woods and over a creek to camp on the second meadow or back 40 acres (you pick your spot!). Plenty of nature to explore with quick drives to town for shopping/food. Property is 80% wooded, lots of hills, two open meadows and a beautiful flowing creek. Property map provided upon reservation.

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Limoncello Lane

2 sites · RVs, Tents9 acres · Charlevoix, MI

Private 9 acre property, close to popular Northern Michigan towns. Beautiful wooded view with clear field for camper or tent. Two campsites available without hookups. Private toilet on property. Rv water (with a long hose) and 30 amp hookup also available on third site. (30 amp hookup indicated by yellow stars, entrance is marked by dropped pin and flag in photos)

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Sunset Campsite

1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Cheboygan, MI

A SINGLE PRIVATE rustic campsite on beautiful 10 acre lightly wooded field. Surrounded by apple trees. Site including entry is all grass. Roughly 80'x60' Fire ring, picnic table, outhouse, and trash receptacle provided. Campsite faces west providing beautiful sunsets. Roughly a mile of hiking trails on property. Access to hundreds of miles of ORV, hiking, and skiing trails nearby. Multiple restaurants, bars, and golf courses within 2-5 miles. AMAZING Northern Lights and dark sky viewing area with gazing platform provided in center of campsite property. Firewood for sale $4-$5/bundle available within 1-2 miles. Access and boat launches to Twin Lakes, Black River, Black Lake, and Cheboygan River within 1-5 miles. Convenience stores within 2-5 miles. Black Mountain ORV and hiking areas within 2-5 miles. 20 minute drive from downtown Cheboygan. Come enjoy some time away from the normal campground hustle and noise at this lovely and affordable private single campsite!

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Uksa’s Cove

2 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Drummond Island, MI

Learn more about this land: This private”Gem”of a spot is located on the south side of beautiful Drummond Island with over 350’ of direct shoreline and lakefront access. The site is just over 3 acres of pristine boreal forest to wander, explore and learn. Roam the shoreline of Lake Huron hunting for pudding stones and fossils that abound or watch the freighters pass in the distance. Easy in, easy out. CAUTION There is a 11’4” height clearance restriction through a tunnel that you must use to access the camp site. Even small motor homes and Campers may not fit. Please check before booking a trip. Large campers and 5th wheels and even some smaller motor homes are discouraged because of often wet and soggy conditions. Pop ups and light campers are acceptable most of the time. Prepare for a multitude of weather conditions (3season gear) as the island weather changes very fast.

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In The Woods With No One Around.

8 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · Alpena, MI

Nestled among several old pine trees, our property boasts abundant wildlife, including deer and the occasional bear sighting. You'll also discover a pond stocked with catfish and a charming little stream featuring a covered bridge. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of Michigan State land, outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to ORV and snowmobile trails. Experience the rustic charm of camping while enjoying modern conveniences, such as the ability to order from a variety of places via DoorDash. Plus, you're just 15 minutes away from the lake and a scenic 40-minute drive to Lower Michigan's largest waterfall.

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Blissfest Festival Farm

74 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Cross Village, MI

Welcome to the picturesque countryside of rural Northern Michigan and the Blissfest Festival Farm. Campers have access to 200+ acres including an 18-hole disc golf course and many trails, including North Country National Scenic Trail which passes through the property. Active agricultural projects include an orchard, vineyard and shitake garden. Immerse yourself in the beauty of our hardwood forests, witness stunning fall colors and marvel at the abundant wildlife that calls this area home. Choose from 25 drive-up or 10 walk-in sites with access to potable water, regularly serviced portajons and solar showers. Within five miles, you'll find great restaurants and craft brews, sandy Lake Michigan beaches and the famous Tunnel of Trees. Sunsets paint the western horizon in beautiful displays of magenta and gold; our dark and starry skies are a sight to behold.

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Motorcycle Tent Camp

2 sites · Tents2 acres · Boyne City, MI

Learn more about this land:A motorcycle only campsite. Spent way too many nights on the road searching for a place just like this! 🏍️ Partially shaded, private, quiet. Great trees for hammocks. Outdoor furniture on site. Firewood available! 🔥 Close to town and the famous ride - The Tunnel of Trees.

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Kozy Kabin

1 site · Lodging1 acre · Hillman, MI

The Kozy Kabin is located in the woods of northern Michigan just a quarter mile away from the ORV trailhead. Surrounded by 1,000s of acres of state land just across the street, this is the perfect location for your outdoor getaway! There are dozens of amazing lakes nearby, too! Don't forget your ORVs, hunting gear, fishing poles, snowmobiles, boats, jet skis, kayaks, golf clubs, & the dogs! There is no shortage of outdoor activities to do when you're staying at the Kozy Kabin! You'll have full access to the entire Kozy Kabin, minus the utility closet in the bathroom. If for any reason you need to access the electric panel in there, we are only 10 minutes away to come unlock it. The shed in the backyard does have a lock on it, and the key is hanging on the coat hook for use. There are 1,000s of acres of state land directly across the street, great for hunting & exploring. The ORV trailhead is at the end of the street with some of the best trails for ATV's, dirt bikes, UTV's and snowmobiles. You can ride directly from the Kozy Kabin to the trails. There should be plenty of room to park your truck/trailer and additional cars in the driveway as well. Please do not ride in the yard, keep it on the trails. If there is any sign of riding in the yard, there will be an additional charge to your stay to repair the lawn. Other things to note: We do not currently have WiFi at the Kozy Kabin, but you are able to hook up the TV to a hotspot to use the smart TV/roku features. Most cell providers get good service here. There is no smoking or vaping inside of the Kozy Kabin, but you are welcome to smoke outside. Please do not dispose of cigarette butts on the ground. If there are any signs of smoking inside there will be an additional cleaning charge to your stay. Dogs are always welcome, but please clean up after them. There is a designated poop shovel in or near the shed. Please do not leave any land mines in the yard, but the woods is fine!

The best camping near Onaway State Park guide

Overview

About

Pretty soon you’ll be on-the-way to a land of serenity and wilderness. Onaway State Park is home to Black Lake. This spot is known for its excellent beach and rugged vibes. There are massive rock out-croppings and a boat-load of various species of trees as you hike the three mile nature trail. To cool down, swim in the gorgeous waters and let loose. The lake has access to a boat launch for your paddle boat or rainbow flotation device (hey, no judgment!). For overnight stays, rent the camper cabin or set up camp in the modern campsites. Just ten miles outside of the park, Ocqueoc Falls, the largest waterfall in the lower Peninsula of Michigan endlessly pours and roars. One night in Onaway, and you may never want to be on your way home.

When to go

The ideal time to visit Onaway 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 colors, making September to October a picturesque time to visit. Winter can be harsh, so it's less ideal for those not prepared for snowy adventures.

Know before you go

Ensure you have a Recreation Passport for park entry, as it's required for all visitors.
Check trail conditions and weather forecasts before your visit to pack appropriately.
Remember to bring water and snacks, as options may be limited within the park.
Be mindful of park wildlife; observe from a distance and do not feed the animals.
For a smooth visit, familiarize yourself with park rules and regulations available on the official website.