Best Campgrounds near Arcadia, MI

The western Michigan shoreline near Arcadia features diverse camping options within a short drive of Lake Michigan's sandy beaches and scenic dunes. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, approximately 30 miles north, offers highly-rated campgrounds including D.H. Day and Platte River, both providing access to the park's signature dune formations. Closer to Arcadia, Betsie River Campsite in Frankfort accommodates tents, RVs, and glamping setups with full hookups. The region includes both developed state park campgrounds with modern amenities and more rustic options in Manistee National Forest, particularly around the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area where dispersed camping is permitted.

Camping reservations are essential during summer months when lakefront sites fill quickly, especially at popular destinations like Sleeping Bear Dunes. Many campers note beach erosion issues at some lakefront campgrounds, including Orchard Beach State Park where "stairs to the beach had been eroded near its base so you could no longer access beach," according to one visitor. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with pleasant temperatures from June through September but potential for strong winds off Lake Michigan. Poison ivy is prevalent in wooded areas, particularly at D.H. Day Campground where multiple reviewers warn to "stay on the paths." Cell service is generally reliable at developed campgrounds but spotty in more remote areas of Manistee National Forest.

Lake Michigan access represents the primary draw for most campers in the region. Visitors consistently praise the clear waters and sandy beaches, with one camper describing "beautiful dunes and a little swimming hole" where "the river's confluence with Lake Michigan makes the water warmer." Paddling opportunities abound on inland lakes and rivers, with the Platte River offering a popular kayaking route. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to Lake Michigan shoreline, though some require moderate effort to reach. Privacy between campsites varies considerably, with state park campgrounds typically offering less separation than national forest sites. As one Nordhouse Dunes camper noted, "Rustic camping off two tracks throughout the area. We never have neighbors!" Wildlife sightings include black bears, particularly around Platte River Campground.

Best Camping Sites Near Arcadia, Michigan (198)

    1. Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    61 Reviews
    Beulah, MI
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 326-4700

    $22 - $50 / night

    "One of my Favorite places in Michigan to camp. Out of the way without being out of the way. The walk in sites are a very short walk and well away from the other sites."

    "Lots of campsites 30 to 50 feet away from the roadway offering appropriate privacy. Woods and bushes separating campsites. Shower houses in excellent condition and clean. Pads for tents in place."

    2. Betsie River Campsite

    18 Reviews
    Elberta, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 352-9535

    $33 - $85 / night

    "Location is close to so many great towns and attractions: Glen Arbor/Sleeping Bear Dunes, many Lake Michigan beaches, kayaking/canoeing/tubing river trips, great fishing if that's your thing."

    "Very quiet campground and close to the small town of Frankfort. The campground is along the Betsie river and they offer a fish cleaning station."

    3. Orchard Beach State Park Campground

    30 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 723-7422

    "Pretty standard Michigan State Park campground. Nice staff. Park maintenance is currently building a wood fence to keep folks away from steep bluff edge. Views of Lake Michigan fairly limited."

    "Clean park with beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Unfortunately no access to beach because of erosion. Typical site sizes for Michigan State Park. Walk across the road for a 2 mile hike in the woods."

    4. Kampvilla Park, LLC

    7 Reviews
    Arcadia, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 864-3757

    "Very clean campground, friendly, polite people all around, great pool and real nice “event” room. Nice clean (2) bathhouses, and one family bathhouse, also very nice."

    "This campground has very clean bathrooms, a pool, park to play and close proximity to lots of things to do."

    5. Green Lake Rustic South — Interlochen State Park

    34 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 276-9511

    $20 / night

    "Every year I camp on the Green Lake side of Interlochen State Park, and this year was the first year I allowed a guest - my fiance."

    "Not super close to Michigan cities, but can drive back and forth to Traverse City."

    6. Mountain Valley Lodge & Campground

    4 Reviews
    Thompsonville, MI
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 378-2990

    $35 - $52 / night

    "Walked through to check it out and the sites are large and nice looking!"

    "We forgot to grab firewood, but they came around every night with a truckload of wood! $10 for a full wheelbarrow of wood and they stacked it up next to the firepit for us."

    7. Rvino - Timberline, LLC

    4 Reviews
    Benzonia, MI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 882-9548

    $32 - $92 / night

    "We are tucked into some mature shade trees with Fantastic atmosphere of families around."

    8. D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    53 Reviews
    Glen Arbor, MI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 326-4700

    $20 / night

    "Pretty close to your neighbors, but our site still had some good tree cover. Easy walk to Lake Michigan through the campground. Vaulted toilets, community water and trash."

    "DH Day campground is the perfect rustic camping spot in Northern Michigan. All campsites are within easy walking distance to a beautiful Lake Michigan beach."

    9. Camp Squid Off The Grid

    2 Reviews
    Benzonia, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 492-2834

    $135 - $499 / night

    "Kendra and her team have created a unique glamping experience in northern Michigan. They have thoughtfully designed spaces that are comfortable and fun."

    "Stayed here for a few night whilst visiting friends at Crystal Lake. The Camp Squid team were at hand to solve and issues."

    10. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

    32 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    28 miles
    Website

    $14 - $27 / night

    "Lake Michigan rec area is adjacent with beach access and trails to walk. Hamlin Lake at Ludington State Park is not far and has an interpretive canoe trail."

    "Beautiful campground within walking distance from Lake Michigan and a beautiful beach. Flushable toilets and potable water. No hookups."

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Recent Reviews near Arcadia, MI

934 Reviews of 198 Arcadia Campgrounds


  • Art W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort

    Lots of activities

    We just needed a spot for the night near Traverse City, and this fit the bill.
    It is a huge campground, with lots of activities for kids, but we have none. It was not high season, so it was not crowded and it was quiet. Our site was full service, but we only need electric for our van. The bathrooms were clean, but we were disappointed that the showers require quarters, as we had none. It was a great last minute opportunity, but I'm sure in high season you need a reservation.

  • Art W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Lively Acres Campground

    Clean, new, quiet

    We visited in mid October, out of season, but the phone reservation that same day was easy and helpful. Verizon cell service was good, and the Porta potties were clean. There were no plumbed toilets or showers. The planted trees and shrubs are young, so there is no shade or privacy between sites yet.

  • Erin F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Guernsey Lake State Forest Campground

    Off the beaten path

    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.

  • Evelyn K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Lots of privacy

    These dispersed sites in the national forest are fantastic! Level for tents. Spread out enough that you aren’t on top of neighbors. We couldn’t see anyone from our site. Really great biking paths. We had fun on our e-bikes. Beautiful surroundings. Good birding too. No bugs!

  • Kammy H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park

    Beautiful fall morning, site on the lake

    Large campground, with very clean restrooms and showers. Beach, boat launch, childrens playground, fish cleaning station, store, pizza place, and nice hiking trails. I feel very relaxed here.

  • Therese S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Penny Park Campground

    Decent Little Campground

    Flat camp area on the lake. Some of the spaces have electric hookups. We came in the off season so it’s not too crowded, but the spaces are small so I imagine it would be tight in peak season. Bathrooms are currently locked, but there is a potable water spigot available. Reasonable camp fee - $20.

  • J
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Nice and woodsy

    The sites were easy to find and surrounded by forest. I could see other campers from my site, but they weren’t close. FCFS of course, but I had no problem finding an available site.


Guide to Arcadia

Dispersed camping near Arcadia, Michigan offers numerous options from rustic sites to modern campgrounds. The region around Arcadia sits in a transitional zone between dense forests and coastal plains, with elevations ranging from 600 feet to lake level. Average summer temperatures reach 75-80°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights that drop to the low 60s even in July and August.

What to do

Kayaking the Platte River: The Platte River offers excellent paddling opportunities near Arcadia. "We do a lot of camping all throughout Michigan. We are from Traverse city and this is our go-to campground. We camp on full moon nights and hit the river for night kayaking," reports a visitor to Platte River Campground.

Biking on local trails: Benzie County features paved trails connecting several camping spots near Arcadia, Michigan. "There is a paved trail that runs by the campground, and it's less than a 3 mile walk/bike ride to downtown Frankfort and the lakeshore, which has a ton of things to do," notes a camper at Betsie River Campsite.

Hiking to secluded beaches: For those willing to put in some effort, backcountry beach spots can be found. "A 2 mile hike in beach spot with beautiful views. Lots a variation in how great each spot is, but absolutely worth it. No amenities at all. Great beach walks on lake michigan," says one camper about Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness.

What campers like

Individual bathrooms: Modern facilities at some campgrounds stand out. "This campground has great amenities without feeling like urban camping. The staff and park rangers are amazing," reports a visitor to Platte River Campground, and another camper at Mountain Valley Lodge noted, "Bathhouse has individual showers which I love and the entire campground is surrounded by state land."

Campsites with lake views: Waterfront camping remains popular around Arcadia. "This is a very special area and this campground was an excellent, private host for it all," says a camper. Another visitor to Orchard Beach State Park mentioned "older campground high above beach, couple camper cabins. beautiful views of lake michigan."

Family-friendly environment: Many campgrounds focus on kid-friendly accommodations. "The camp store and little outdoor cafe are great and serve a delicious breakfast," mentions a visitor to Betsie River Campsite, while another notes it's "Very family-friendly with a nice bike path."

What you should know

Beach access limitations: Erosion has affected some campgrounds beyond those mentioned in the existing description. "Due to high waters the past few years there is no beach. This is still a family favorite and perfect if you want to go into Manistee," notes a camper at Orchard Beach State Park.

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely across camping areas. One camper at Kampvilla noted, "No WiFi at our site near the back of the campground," while others report stronger signals closer to main buildings.

Black bears presence: Wildlife encounters should be expected. "Was told a black bear visits the campgrounds at least once a week, but is not much a nuisance as long as campers store their food in the car," warns a visitor at Interlochen State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds offer better play facilities than others. "There is a room in the bathhouse that is for washing dishes. This made it very convenient and I was very impressed with that," notes a camper at Platte River Campground, while another mentions "a nice park for the kids, and nice spacious lots."

Swimming considerations: Water quality varies by location. "Swimmers itch can be a problem," cautions a visitor to Interlochen State Park. Another camper noted, "The sites are not real big, and all dirt. Not quiet time enforced. And swimmers itch in the lake."

Kid-friendly programs: Ranger activities enhance family trips. "The amphitheater with kid focused programs was a great bonus," shares a visitor to D.H. Day Campground.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: RV sites may require additional setup. "Sites look level but it's deceiving," warns a camper at Betsie River Campsite. Another RVer noted, "We weren't impressed. Sites look level but it's deceiving."

Water and electricity limitations: Hookup availability varies significantly. A camper at Kampvilla Park states, "Spacious, level sites. Great family atmosphere! Very clean and well kept," while another mentions "We had an electric only site and it was very private."

Reservation timing: Securing spots requires advance planning. "Reservations are extremely hard to get for this park. If you want a weekend campsite, you must book six months in advance!" advises a visitor to Platte River Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Arcadia, Michigan?

Arcadia, Michigan offers excellent camping options within a short drive. Orchard Beach State Park Campground is a top choice featuring clean facilities and beautiful Lake Michigan views, though beach access is currently limited due to erosion. For a more secluded experience, Peterson Bridge provides gorgeous, well-maintained sites nestled in the woods with restrooms every few campsites. Other notable options include Platte River Campground and D.H. Day Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Whispering Surf Campground at Bass Lake with its playground and lake access. Ludington State Park's campgrounds are also worth considering for their scenic dunes and beaches.

How do I make camping reservations in Arcadia, Michigan?

For camping near Arcadia, Michigan, reservations can be made through different systems depending on the campground. Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore requires reservations through Recreation.gov, ideally 6 months in advance as sites fill quickly. D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is recommended. For Michigan State Parks like Orchard Beach, reservations open 6 months ahead through the Michigan DNR website or by calling 1-800-44-PARKS. Private campgrounds such as Whispering Surf and Mountain Valley Lodge generally accept reservations via phone or their websites with varying advance booking windows.

Can you camp at Arcadia Dunes and what amenities are available?

While Arcadia Dunes itself is primarily a nature preserve without designated campgrounds, nearby Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness offers a similar dunes experience with dispersed camping options. This wilderness area provides a primitive camping experience with no formal amenities - you'll need to bring all supplies including water and pack out all trash. For those seeking amenities while still enjoying the dunes region, Betsie River Campsite near Frankfort offers water, toilets, and reservable sites. The campgrounds within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provide another alternative with various levels of amenities from vault toilets at more primitive sites to shower facilities at developed campgrounds.

Are there RV rental options available in Arcadia, Michigan?

While Arcadia itself has limited RV rental options, several nearby locations can accommodate RV campers. Lake Leelanau RV Park and Poncho's Pond RV Park are RV-friendly facilities in the region that may offer rental information or recommendations. For actual RV rentals, check with dealerships in larger nearby cities like Traverse City, which typically offer rental options. Alternatively, online platforms like RVshare and Outdoorsy connect RV owners with renters in the area. Once you've secured an RV, several campgrounds near Arcadia can accommodate them, including Timberline Campground near Benzonia and Mountain Valley Lodge & Campground, both offering water, toilets, and big-rig-friendly sites.