The best camping near Hartwick Pines State Park

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

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Discover the natural splendor of Hartwick Pines State Park.

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Top-rated campgrounds near Hartwick Pines State Park

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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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(63)

Camp Bear Paw

4 sites · RVs, Tents17 acres · West Branch, MI

Learn more about this land: There is a great play area for kids, plus a log playhouse and treehouse they can even sleep in if they wish. You and your guests will have the property to yourselves, to increase your ability to relax and enjoy, so book early! Catch and release fishing, beach area for swimming, plus zip line, water slide, and giant swing that all land you in the water. Horse shoes, sand pit volley ball court, and tetherball are here as well. Wildlife is abundant on our property. We are a mile from ORV trails and State land, 30-45 minutes from the Au Sable, Rifle, and Cedar rivers for canoeing, tubing, or kayaking. There are numerous public lakes close by for fishing or pleasure cruising. Treasure hunt a piece of Michigan history by metal detecting along our old narrow gauge railroad grade on the property. Take a ride on our Bear Paw Dragon! Bring a whole group to use all four sites and have a private (safe) campground outing! Fees apply to each site used. We also have 2 RVs available to rent if needed. Contact us for details. Look for an amazing treehouse this spring!!!

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(39)

pineleaf.

4 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Mancelona, MI

PLEASE DO NOT!! USE PARTRIDGE LANE THE ROAD IS A SAND TRAP YOU WILL GET STUCK!! MUST USE SECONDARY DRIVEWAY!! WHICH IS TO THE EAST OF PARTRIDGE LANE IN THE DIP THERE'S A SIGN THERE!! Pineleaf is a private setting in the forest with rolling hills and trails on the property. There's an abundance of wildlife consisting of, but not limited to bears, bobcats, porcupines and deer. It's a true nature lover's dream! For the rockhounds, there are Petoskey Stones, Emeralds, Opals and many other gems to enjoy finding among the trails and beaches. Our trails lead right off the property among the lakes and streams. All side x sides, ATVS, dirt bikes, kayaks, paddle boards, or fishing boats Welcome! We are located close to Torch Lake, Elk Lake, Otsego Lake, and many more! Come enjoy Lake Michigan beaches, lighthouses, parks, restaurants, casinos, and local shopping. Nearby cities include Traverse City, Petoskey, Gaylord, and Boyne City. Pineleaf has a total of 4 campsites! 3 are primitive and 1 rustic cabin with more cabins to come in the near future. The primitive sites sleep up to 15 people and 8 tents. The cabin sleeps up to 5 guests and is handicap accessible! and can also put tents near the cabin. The camp is cannabis friendly for 21+ with id and complimentary with the exception if you dont want to smoke/cunsume cannabis its optional. No alcohol allowed at the camp but you may go up town or down to The Hideaway Bar & Grill for a bite and a drink!

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(25)

CUT RIVER CABIN AT HIGGINS LAKE

1 site · Lodging120 acres · Roscommon, MI

Learn more about this land:This cozy off-grid rustic Cut River Cabin has a Sauna 3 bedrooms and a loft that will sleep 10. 120 acres with over 1.3 miles of private riverfront on the pristine Cut River that flows out of beautiful Higgins Lake Michigan. Approximately 10 minutes/7 miles from the beaches of South Higgins Lake State Park, or the Village of Roscommon which has a full-service supermarket (Family Fare) hardware and outdoor supply stores, and a handful of restaurants. It's a great spot for a quiet retreat away from people, traffic, pollution, and the stresses of modern digital life with the closest neighbor being over 2 miles away. Enjoy the river, paddling in our canoes, fishing, and swimming. Get out in the woods by hiking or biking through nearly 2,000 acres of public state land and trails surrounding the property. Included are SNOWSHOES in the winter and CANOES in the summer The Cut River Cabin is a completely off-the-grid property that relies on solar power. Inside you will find NO TV’s, NO WiFi, and NO Modern Luxury Amenities. 😁 You WILL find solar power to charge any devices that you just can’t live without for a weekend getaway, 😉 Manual operated water well pump (Pitcher Pump), Wood Burning Stove to keep warm on them chilly nights (starter/logs included), Well-equipped kitchen with stove Due to its simple and rustic features, the cabin is most appealing to hikers, campers, and people who love the outdoors and don't mind the lack of conventional amenities. A few things included to distract you from the busy world outside are many Books, Board Games, Playing Cards.

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(65)

RV-tent,gorgeous PRIVATE water view

1 site · RV, Tent23 acres · Grayling, MI

Remote private tract in northern Michigan with Portage Creek to camp at, right up close. No neighbors, no other campers! 10 miles from Grayling so you can run into town for needed supplies with little time or effort. Bring your kayaks and swimsuit for a quick splash. The creek is mostly shallow with some deeper spots. There are downed trees so the kids can kayak without going too far away but they can go out of line of sight and hearing, so please be watchful. The last ½ mile road in can be very sandy in spots or sometimes flooded so you are encouraged to call or enquire prior to arrival, 4WD recommended for towing an RV. We recommend your first arrival during daylight hours so you can see the entrance of the property. The non-maintained county road, the last ½ mile in is typically not passable during winter and snow seasons except by snowshoe or snowmobile due to the snow level. Never leave children or pets unattended! Be aware of the chance encounter with an endangered massasauga rattler, it may be endangered but it is still poisonous and they have been seen on and around the property before. Ticks are on the rise, and the springtime can be very buggy, and mosquito-y with the surrounding swampy areas. There are bear, coyote, and an assortment of other creatures big and small. This is a wilderness area and so please be aware of wild animals. Never leave your small contained fire unattended at the firepit and watch for sparks, completely douse the fire before you leave as this is a fire-prone area. No fires outside the firepit for safety reasons and fire hazards. If you want firewood here in Grayling, there are a few places that sell it. There is down debris in our woods but as the summer goes by, it may be picked through. You can pull and circle through the open area with your RV, or you can tuck into the RV / camping spot. There is enough room for 5 or 6 cars but campers may crowd that a bit. If you are tent camping, you are welcome to set up elsewhere on the property. There are trails throughout the property and you may see the ‘No Trespassing’ signs all along the perimeter of the 23.7 acres. The toilet is now working again, but we ask that you not overtaxed it ;p . The small cabin is fairly stocked with pots and pans, good for campfire cooking. Picnic table and fire pit with cooking grate on site for your use. There are tons of nearby outdoor recreational opportunities and water bodies very close by, or you can spend your time on this private tract. The military board land and small arms range is just past the road to the west, you may hear small arms practice at times, the sound of freedom.

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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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Trail 76 Private Campground

2 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Kalkaska, MI

Trail 76 Private Campground Remodeled old school camper is now available to add to your stay, bring your friends without a camper to the fun! (Book at checkout) Includes 2 full hook-up sites, water/sewer/electric 20/30/50 amp When you book the site, you are renting the entire 6 acre campground Get a group of friends and stay at this private campground all to yourselves Pets allowed Outdoor shower/outhouse 8x40’ Storage container for guests to use as they please, store offroad vehicle or use as a patio to keep you out of the weather Secluded 6 wooded acres at end of private drive 1000s of acres of State land nearby Plenty of parking for extra trucks/trailers/friends with tents 2 miles Manistee lake boat access/beach/park Ride directly to Groomed Trail 76 for snowmobiles/sxs/dirtbikes Awesome hiking trails at upper manistee headwaters 10 minutes Grandview golf course* Timberwolf golf course Twinbirch golf course 15 minutes Shel-haven canoe/tubing rental 30 minutes Turtle creek casino Torch lake Shanty creek 45 minutes Traverse city Higgins lake Boyne

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(71)

Beautiful Lake View Camping

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Lupton, MI

Perryn's Cabin is a rustic cabin sitting on a wooded lot on Green Lake offering a quiet getaway. The cabin is equipped with solar ceiling lights and one 12v USB plug. Enjoy fishing, kayaking or boating (electric motors only) right out your front door or on many of the local lakes. Cook dinner on the grill, over the firepit or enjoy one of wonderful local restaurants. The trailhead for the Huron-Manistee National forest is a mile down the road offering great riding for ORVs and Snowmobiles. Rifle River Recreation Area, located right around the corner has a swimming beach, and numerous hiking and biking trails. It's a short drive to the east to Tawas and Lake Huron or to the north to Mio, where canoeing and tubing on the Ausable River is available. Happy camping!

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Uraharas On The Hill

4 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Alden, MI

Uraharas is a music venue that hosts events throughout the summer. We are happy to now open our space to campers on the dates that are not scheduled for events. We hope you enjoy our space as much as we have in creating it! Learn more about this land: *ADULTS ONLY CAMPING* Set up camp in our little wooded get away at the top of the valley. There are many great things near and many more within a reasonable drive. We are located just three miles from Torch Lake sandbar with several public access sites. Spend the day swimming or rent a kayak or pontoon to further explore. Check out Seven Bridges Nature Area just five miles away. Head over to Short’s Brewery in Bellaire. Take a drive to Turtle Creek Casino and Traverse City in thirty minutes or less. At the end of your exciting day come relax and build a fire in our communal fire pit. Enjoy the colorful sights as we light up the forest at night (weather permitting). Campsites are located in a specific area. You may have camp neighbors not so far away and will not be a guarantee that it’s completely silent or secluded. Please be mindful of one another. We love the sounds of a good time happening but we do ask that after 11 pm weekdays and 12 am weekends that you keep a respectable level. As title says this is camping for ages 18 and up. Front area can accommodate parking for your boat/kayak trailer. Uraharas is an excellent setting to use as larger group camping. If you need bookings for your group beyond the max of the two combined sites please message me for details!

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Bark Biter Farm near Rapid River

2 sites · Lodging, Tents20 acres · Manistee Lake, MI

This 20-acre property is surrounded by public land and is a short hike to Rapid River, which is nestled in a valley of giant cedars and white pines. The property has trails through a hardwood forest of maples, beeches and cherry trees. There is also an open meadow that boasts an abundance of wildlife. The property is secluded on a deadend two-track less than two miles from US-131 between Kalkaska and Mancelona. Torch Lake is only a 20-minute drive and Traverse City is about 50 minutes away. There is a clean porta-potty and water can be provided on request. Also, a 4-person tent can be provided at an additional cost. The campsite has a fire ring, shovel and plenty of wood for late night fires. The Raven's Nest is a cozy 12 x 16 cabin. It is an off-grid experience with a wood stove for winter adventures. The property is a work in progress, with a goal of it becoming an eco-retreat with updated accommodations. We hope you return for more adventures to see the progress. In the meantime, enjoy!

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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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Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort

250 sites · Lodging, RVs10 acres · Traverse City, MI

Timber Ridge Resort is an all-season resort, located just 8 minutes from downtown Traverse City, Michigan. Guests can enjoy camping in tents, RVs, or cabins; planning events like weddings, company meetings and retreats, athletic outings; or outdoor adventures on over 60 kilometers of Timber Ridge-groomed trails and the connecting Vasa trail system. Whether you are a warm-weather fan or a cold-weather fanatic, Timber Ridge can provide you and your family with an entertaining getaway or event experience. Explore our pages to discover all “The Ridge” has to offer. Timber Ridge Resort is an all-season (that means winter too!), family and pet-friendly resort featuring an RV park, cabins, banquet facility, lodge, and miles of gorgeously wooded trails. Guests can enjoy camping in one of our four-season cabins or in their own tent or RV. We offer full hook-ups at all of our sites! While in the park, take advantage of our heated pool, playground, dodgeball court, Jump Pad, outdoor laser tag course, or some of the other amenities we offer.

The best camping near Hartwick Pines State Park guide

Overview

About

The bigger the better we always say—9,672 acres of Old Growth Pines makes Hartwick Pine among the giants in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan—more for you to ‘splore! The forest was once home to a booming lumber industry. Revisit through master storytelling the tales of the “shanty boys” who turned the forest into timber land. Step into a time machine and dig into rich history from the Visitor’s Center museum that recreates the vibe of the old town, then get your socks and shoes outside! With rolling green hills and ancient groves of trees, Hartwick is a photographer’s dream. Enjoy numerous habitats to explore and hit the trails that accommodate any level of hiker or biker. Big adventure is calling. Your move.

When to go

The best time to visit Hartwick Pines State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is fully accessible. Fall also offers a stunning display of changing leaves. Winters can be harsh, and some facilities may be closed, so check ahead.