214 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Alden, Michigan provide access to the lakes region of northern Michigan with multiple accommodation options ranging from rustic sites to full-service RV facilities. Traverse City State Park Campground offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with amenities including electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, while Sand Lakes Quiet Area provides dispersed backcountry tent camping for those seeking a more primitive experience. Whitewater Township Park Campground on Elk Lake and Chain-O-Lakes Campground near Bellaire represent mid-sized facilities with water access, varying from basic tent sites to full hookups for recreational vehicles.
Many campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through September. Whitewater Township Park typically opens in May and closes in late September, while other facilities like Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort maintain year-round operations. Winter camping options become limited as temperatures drop and facilities close for the season. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, particularly for waterfront sites and holiday weekends. Campers report varying levels of site privacy across the region. "Sites were fine, good size and maybe could have been some planting between sites. My concern was that there was only one bathroom for the entire campground," noted one visitor to Whitewater Township Park.
Lakes and waterways define the camping experience throughout the Alden area, with multiple campgrounds situated on or near bodies of water including Torch Lake, Elk Lake, and Grand Traverse Bay. Chain-O-Lakes Campground receives consistently positive reviews for its location and amenities. "Great campground, amazing camp store, and friendly staff. Super close to torch lake and lots of great small towns. Only an hour away from sleeping bear dunes," mentioned one visitor. Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between campgrounds, with some receiving praise for cleanliness while others face criticism for limited facilities. Proximity to small towns like Elk Rapids, Bellaire, and Traverse City provides campers with access to restaurants, breweries, and outdoor recreation opportunities when not at their campsites.
"Located on busy US-31, but with pedestrian bridge over 4 lanes to beach. TART (Traverse Area Recreation Trail) access from campground. Easy biking to Traverse City or Acme."
"Bathrooms were clean, sites were average size for Michigan state parks. Close to the bike trail, though a little noisy from the nearby airport and roads."
from $48 - $100 / night
Check Availability"This park is situated up on a hill on beautiful Elk Lake. Elk Lake can easily access Torch River and into Torch Lake. It has a fantastic boat launch which we have used."
"The park itself is positioned on a hillside next to a lake. We had a site at the top of the hill which I recommend."
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here in our little offroad teardrop camper which looked like David & Goliath when contrasted against the massive 5th wheels surrounding us."
"There is a pool, jump pad, miles and miles of mountain biking trails and hiking trails, a man made lake which has some inflatable water toys."
from $60 - $260 / night
Check Availability"Absolutely serene and secluded in the gorgeous northern Michigan wilderness. This is a park and walk camping spot. Also permits are apparently required as this is a state park."
"great spots near lakeside hiking nearby
quiet, hardly saw anyone"
"Some of them are so close to Lake Michigan, you can just walk on a path through some trees right up to the water! There are restrooms here, and a general store nearby."
"Beautiful park on the shore of Lake Michigan. Great for kids, as a sand bar goes out quite a **distance. **"
"Chain O'Lakes Park has it all: trails to hike, horses to ride, boats to row, and fish to catch! After an adventure- packed day, you can return to your nearby campsite for some rest and relaxation."
"Rooms: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Location: 5/5 Nearby activities Super close to torch lake and lots of great small towns."
from $29 - $44 / night
Check Availability"It is situated on a small lake that is great for fishing, boating, or kayaking. There are also little cabins you can rent that are very cute."
"Slow, Grandparents at Play” are what the signs around the campground boast, which tells you a bit about their target audience at this lovely little RV only lakeside campground in the heart of Elk Rapids"
"Our campsite was feet away from Lake Michigan- practically on the shoreline! Going to bed and waking up to the lapping of the waves is something you can’t miss here."
"beautiful park next to the lighthouse. no showerhouse or flushing bathrooms...portajohns only.water pumps to get water from...and beautiful views of Lake Michigan"
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"One is reservable and drive-in with access to the lake. We decided to backpack about 3 miles in and camp in the rustic hike in sites."
"Beautiful and quiet stay at the intersection of the NCT and Shore to shore trail. Miles of hiking trails, easy access to the lake for fishing and kayaking. Be aware the tick population has exploded."
"1/2 hr outside Traverse City. Nice away from the busy areas.
The campground needs some attention which will be addressed by the new owners. Very dusty, loose sand uneven entrance.""Nice beautiful campground situated in a nice woods setting. Sprayed for bugs so the bugs were not much of a nuisance. The camp sites are a nice firm gravel and pretty level."
ScoutWe looked into this location but from the information we found, it's closed and was purchased for private use. Too bad, looks like it could have had some great potential.
ScoutTons of fishing spots and trails around to ride. We come every summer with kids and they love to fish and head into town and find things to do. Its a rustic campground so no hookup. You do have to scan a code when arriving or call the state park office to get a permit before you set up! This was new to us this year but wasnt too hard to get done! We have a 30 ft 5th wheel and we fit beautifully on site 29. Most sites seem to have a small fishing access along the water and some sort of view of the water.
TravelerOur site, and most sites, we're very shaded. Bathrooms and showers were very clean. The rangers working were fantastic. In a great location to visit nearby sites!!!
LegendJuly 8, 2026, 82 degrees Make sure you goto michigan reservations as it’s confusing for first come first serve.
Site 22, 2 bars 5G on T-Mobile Flat Sandy grass, pit toilets. Trash dumpster on the way out. Good rustic camping, bugs were not bad, mostly flat and only a few campers during the week. Horse, bike and hiking trails right next to the CG. We saw a few loons near the boat launch.
TravelerThis campground was absolutely breathtaking. The showers and bathrooms were so clean and easily accessible. 10/10 experience all around.
LegendJuly 3-7th, site 489, Easy check in and the water fill up was next to the dump station.
The dump station only has two drains and the cap is in the middle of the island to dump. The site was flat with trees, our 21’ fit well with our truck.
30amp, metal fire ring with old picnic table. Looks like water will puddle during rains.
Newer shower and bath facilities are amazing. The showers are separate and private from the shitters. The lots are Michigan sand and rock, very little gravel and grass, bring ant killer for the site.
Some sites are paved asphalt.
Firewood was$23 for 3 bundles Cash App or Venmo near the general store.
Water fill stations throughout the park but the spigot does not allow a house hookup. Fill up at the dump station. The south lot area was full and very crowded, narrow asphalt road with lots of trees, larger 5th wheel campers would be better on the north section.
There is a Pine Nature Trail that runs on the west side of the south area. About 2 miles but part of the trail has not been cleared from recent storms. A great place to bring your SUP and kayak. Peaceful lakes in the area.
TravelerSix or so full hook up sites in the campground (several are seasonal/permanent sites). The sites are spacious, woodsy, shaded with nice grass for the kiddos to play in. The owners, Rocky and Richard were friendly and available if needed. They even filled our campfire ring with wood before we arrived. There is a porta potty on site, but otherwise expect to use your camper for bathing needs. The 25 min drive into traverse city felt easy even with toddlers in toe. The town of Cedar is small but quaint.
TravelerNice clean campground with modern bathrooms and showers. Plenty of shade and great views of Otsego Lake. Beach access and boat launch right in the park.
LegendJuly 2026, Rustic camping with large mostly level sites. The boat launch area separates the 600 (north) vs the 700 (south) sites. No electric, hand pump for water and pit toilets spread throughout the area.
T-Mobile had 1bar LTE but I could get 5G at Interlochen CG.
Picnic tables and steel/concrete fire pit. Showers available at Interlochen CG, short drive or walk a mile through the woods and cross the main road near the entrance to the boat launch.
Bugs were not bad, trash dumpster near the entrance and some road noise since the CG runs parallel to the main road.
Dispersed camping near Alden, Michigan ranges from primitive backcountry sites to established campgrounds with amenities. The area sits at the northern edge of Michigan's Lower Peninsula where the Chain of Lakes region features numerous interconnected waterways. Summer temperatures average 70-80°F during peak camping months while spring and fall bring cooler weather with frequent temperature fluctuations. Fall color season typically starts in late September.
Hiking trails nearby: Sand Lakes Quiet Area offers multiple hiking paths through northern Michigan forests with several lake access points. "There are hiking trails nearby and the campground is about 15 minutes away from the quaint town of Elk Rapids and a very touristy Traverse City. The playground isn't much, but offers the kids a place to go," notes a visitor at Whitewater Township Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Guernsey Lake provides excellent fishing access with minimal development around the shoreline. "The lake was gorgeous!! Great sites," reports one camper. Another visitor adds, "The lake is completely uninhibited and great for kayaking and fishing. The NCT 4600mi hiking trail runs through and the cross state horse trail skirts it and bikes are allowed on all trails."
Water activities: Access to multiple lakes allows for various boating options. "Lake is across the street, very large and busy," mentions a visitor to Traverse City State Park Campground. For a quieter water experience, "Elk Lake can easily access Torch River and into Torch Lake. It has a fantastic boat launch which we have used," notes a camper from Whitewater Township Park.
Quiet, secluded options: For those seeking solitude, Sand Lakes Quiet Area provides true primitive camping. "We didn't know too much about Sands Lake when we arrived, so we just drove in a few minutes and found a beautiful lake with a prime campsite next to it. We pitched our tent, stoked the fire, and didn't see another soul during our entire time there," shares one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms despite high usage. "The bath houses on the end we like are very dated and are usually clean but still show their age! The other end had nicer newer shower/bath houses," reports a visitor to Traverse City State Park. Another camper at Barnes County Park notes, "Clean bathrooms super close. Best of all the beach area. The views are stunning."
Proximity to towns: Most camping options provide access to nearby communities. "It's in the heart of TC right by the bay beach and bike trail. Great camp ground if you want to be convenient on TC," reports one camper. Another visitor mentions, "One of our favorite things is being connected to the bike paths so we can bike to downtown area while staying on bike trails!"
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly during summer months. "Reservations are first come first serve and aren't taken until early April. So book early," advises a camper at Whitewater Township Park.
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds close during colder months. Chain-O-Lakes Campground receives consistent praise during its operating season, with one visitor noting, "Our time at this campground has been exceptional. The grounds are kept very clean and tidy, the camp store had what we needed, and the atmosphere is very quiet and calming."
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. "If you are looking for a no-frills secluded campground with spaced out campsites and beautiful views this is the place for you. It does not have a lot of extras but for a peaceful camping trip it has everything you need," writes a visitor about Whitewater Township Park.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, "There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids."
Swimming options: Water access varies between campgrounds. "This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer. There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc," reports a visitor to Timber Ridge.
Activity planning: Consider campgrounds with scheduled events. "Kids loved the activities they had scheduled. We had no complaints regarding our weekend here! Staff was all Great. Had a well stocked camp store," writes a Timber Ridge camper.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require extra work to set up. "It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling. The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions," notes a visitor to Kalkaska RV Park.
Full hookup availability: Campsites with complete services are limited. "They only have 15 full hookup sites and none were available for our time frame. They have a pump out service twice a week for $10 each time," mentions a Kalkaska RV Park reviewer.
Pull-through accessibility: Some sites offer easier access for larger rigs. "My husband loved this place because most of the sites are pull-through ones. The trees keep your site blanketed in shade all day long," reports a camper at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Alden, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, Alden, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 214 campgrounds and RV parks near Alden, MI and 7 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Alden, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alden, MI is Traverse City State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 51 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alden, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Alden, MI.
What parks are near Alden, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Alden, MI that allow camping, notably Sleeping Bear Dunes and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
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