Map showing campground location near Empire, Michigan

Camper submitted image from Empire Township Campground

Empire Township Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Quiet nights and pine shade define the experience at Empire Township Campground, a municipally managed site in Empire, Michigan, open from mid-May through mid-September. The campground splits into distinct sections: one side runs electric and water hookups for RVs, while the other provides more rustic tent sites tucked under the pines, where some sites feel genuinely secluded from neighbors. Reservations are available and fill up fast, particularly around holiday weekends when the campground runs at capacity.

Amenities are functional rather than elaborate. Coin-operated showers run 50 cents for three minutes with reliably hot water, and vault toilets are kept clean and stocked. Ice sells on-site for $3 a bag, though firewood availability can vary. The camp host is consistently noted by visitors as helpful and responsive. Campers who lock in a site can reserve the same spot for the following year, a detail that explains the campground's repeat-visitor base.

The location makes it a practical base for the broader region. Sleeping Bear Dunes draws many visitors, with nearby ORV trails adding another activity option for those who bring gear. Traverse City sits roughly 30 minutes away. Sites under the hardwoods stay shaded and cooler during warm summer days, which several reviewers noted as a notable feature. Pets are welcome throughout.

Campers wanting full hookup amenities in a resort-style setting might consider Indigo Bluffs RV Park to the north, or Garey Lake State Forest Campground for a more dispersed forest experience.

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Map & DirectionsEmpire Township Campground is located in Michigan near Empire

Public Campground

Address

7264 W. Osborn Road
Empire, MI 49630

Coordinates

44.78605911 N
86.00200967 W

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Connectivity

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Good Coverage
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Last on 8/7/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 7/11/26
AT&T5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 1 user
Last on 8/7/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

Drive Time

24 min from Traverse City, MI
2 hrs 14 min from Muskegon, MI
4 hrs 29 min from Sheboygan, WI
4 hrs 41 min from Green Bay, WI

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Empire Township Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious, shaded sites and accommodating hosts in this quiet campground near Sleeping Bear Dunes. Facilities are basic with coin showers and vault toilets, though most found them clean and adequate for weekend stays.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Joshua C.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 7, 2024

Great for tent camping!

We have come to this campground every year since 2020 for a week with our travel trailer. We got lucky to find and opening at an electric site in their schedule and once you're in, you can reserve the same site on the same week the following year. We've had family members stay in tent sites nearby and they loved it.

Site53

Month of VisitJuly

CampgroundKaren ..

Guide

Reviewed May. 22, 2023

Great little campground!

We found this campground charming. The coin showers were fun/funny. We stayed in our tent beneath the pines. Very quiet and peaceful during our stay. Would definitely stay again!

Site13

Month of VisitAugust

Kara W.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 9, 2022

Great for Primitive Camping

The owner is very friendly and accommodating. When I called back in February to reserve a July 4th weekend spot, she let me know that she only had one primitive spot available but assured me we would be comfortable. The site is nestled in the pines, offering plenty of shade and the temperature was a pleasant 70.

The campground is close to Sleeping Bear Dunes (15 mins) and Traverse City (30 mins). We enjoyed traveling to the city for Cherry Festival and returning to a quiet campground.

It was a nice campground for our needs and I could see it being a great place for group camping. I work full time from the camper so I probably wouldn’t stay here again since the showers cost money, the restrooms are vault toilets, and there is no laundry. But again, this is a great campground for a weekend away.

Site01

Month of VisitJuly

Justyna E.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2022

Piece of heaven

We stayed at site 20 which was large, and super spacious. There was our own private trail to the vaulted toilets which were always clean, stocked with T.P. And had a clean trash bag in place. Site 20 was very secluded. Site 20 had no electricity, but there is a side of the park with electricity. At night the campground was quite. Showers are .50¢ for three minutes and water was hot. Ice is $3 for a 7lb bag. The campground was out of firewood when we arrived so am unsure if that price but the camp host was very helpful on where to find wood. Nearby ORV trails made for a fun filled vacation.

Site20

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Megan C.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2018

Quiet and affordable

This place was alright, they let us stay in an emergency site when they were full until we could get a site the next night. The site wouldn’t be ready until after 11 the next day and they made us move all of our stuff out of the emergency site so it could sit empty, and wait until 11. We wanted to go get breakfast and come back at 11 but we would have had to pack everything up and unpack again two hours later. That was the only inconvenience. Hey had some cats that were really cool. Not too loud, some sites are pretty close together.

Month of VisitJuly

(4) View All

Lacey D.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 10, 2018

Accommodating

The manager was very accommodating. There is a flush toilet and coin showers. Yet our spot in the Hardwoods section felt semi rustic. Located just a short drive away from many attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos available of Empire Township Campground?

Photos of Empire Township Campground are available online through various camping platforms. These images typically showcase the campground's pine and hardwood settings, individual campsites, and facilities. For the most current and comprehensive collection of photos, check the official campground website or camping platforms like The Dyrt. Visual documentation of the campground helps potential visitors get a better sense of the site layout, amenities, and natural surroundings before making reservations.

What amenities and facilities are available at Empire Township Campground?

Empire Township Campground offers a mix of rustic and developed amenities. The campground features both primitive sites and sites with electricity. Facilities include flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Some sites are nestled in pine trees while others are in a hardwoods section. The campground maintains clean vault toilets that are regularly stocked with toilet paper. Sites vary in size, with some being quite spacious and secluded, particularly site 20 which has been noted for its large size and private trail to the restrooms.

Where is Empire Township Campground located in Michigan?

Empire Township Campground is located in northern Michigan, conveniently situated a short drive from numerous attractions in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. While the exact address isn't specified in available information, the campground serves as a good base for exploring the surrounding region. For precise directions and GPS coordinates, contact the campground directly or check their official information sources.

What do reviews say about Empire Township Campground?

Empire Township Campground receives positive feedback for its accommodating management and peaceful atmosphere. Campers appreciate the spacious sites, particularly those nestled among the pines that offer ample shade. The campground is described as quiet and charming, with clean facilities that are well-maintained. Some visitors return annually, booking the same site year after year. While most experiences are positive, there have been occasional issues with site availability and transition timing between bookings. Overall, the campground is well-regarded for its natural setting and proximity to local attractions.

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