The Arcadia area sits at the junction between the forested Manistee National Forest and Lake Michigan's eastern shore, where summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F with cooler evenings. Most RV sites near Arcadia, Michigan operate seasonally from May through October, with a few offering early spring and late fall availability. The terrain varies from lakeside locations to wooded settings, providing diverse camping environments.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer direct access to local fishing. At Pats RV Park, visitors can enjoy Hodenpyle Dam lake. One camper noted, "Hodenpyle Dam lake is a great, quiet area. It close enough to several places which makes it convenient to get in some sight seeing in Traverse City, Frankfort and Manistee."
Golfing excursions: Wild Cherry RV Resort includes a driving range on site. "There is a new driving range above the campground for the golfers in the group," according to a visitor review. The resort also sits near multiple golf courses within a 15-minute drive.
Wine tasting tours: The Leelanau Peninsula wine region provides excellent day trips from camping locations. A visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort shared, "The park is on the Leelanau Peninsula which is one of Michigan's most well-known and revered wine region and there are three wineries within a couple of miles (one is just across the street from the entrance)."
Trail riding access: Manton Trails RV Park offers direct trail access for off-road vehicles. One reviewer appreciated this feature: "We went up because it advertised orv access right from campsite. It's really handy to not have to trailer over to the trsilheads."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower facilities receive consistent praise at many campgrounds. A visitor to Kampvilla Park noted, "Extremely clean bathrooms n showers. So much to do right here at the campground. Very visible and friendly."
Family-friendly activities: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort stands out for its recreation options. A camper explained, "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."
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate having room to spread out. At Manton Trails RV Park, a visitor commented, "Not a parking lot, lots of trees! We had a family, socially distant reunion with 6 sites. We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice!"
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide regular entertainment. According to a Manton Trails visitor, "They have a large building for events....over the weekend they a concert! Live band and food truck....free to all campers and their friends!"
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak seasons. Advanced planning is essential, especially for holiday weekends and fall color tours in September-October.
Bathroom availability: Not all RV parks offer full bathroom facilities. A camper at Wild Cherry RV Resort noted, "There is no swimming pool, no tennis courts, no shuffleboard, no fitness center, no playground, in fact there were not even bathrooms/showers (except for porta john and tent shower in the rustic camping section)."
Price variations: Rates can fluctuate significantly based on season and amenities. Some campgrounds offer specials for longer stays. One visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort shared, "We took advantage of their 'Big-Rig Special' which gave a 25% discount if you booked 4 nights. Otherwise, the price per night was $69 which we found to be expensive for what you get."
Internet access: Connectivity varies between campgrounds. A Manton Trails visitor reported, "Internet worked well using our hotspots, but, like all campgrounds, if you like being 'in the woods;' internet is always a challenge. Most of our group had AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, the best service seemed to be Verizon in the morning and Sprint at night."
Tips for camping with families
Pool options: Poncho's Pond RV Park offers multiple swimming pools. According to one visitor, "There are three heated pool on the property – two outdoor and one indoor with and two spas." This provides swimming options even during cooler weather.
Kid-specific amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. A visitor to Kampvilla Park appreciated that "There are all the toys to play in sand, basketballs, volleyballs and such sitting out for all the kids to play with."
Rainy day activities: Indoor recreation spaces help during inclement weather. A Kampvilla Park camper shared, "The indoor pavilion area is great for rainy days. There are board games and puzzles to do. Plus ping pong and foosball!"
Halloween events: Several campgrounds host special Halloween weekends with family activities. A Poncho's Pond RV Park visitor mentioned, "We stay during their Halloween weekend. They had all kinds of activities going on including haunted hayrides, trick-or-treating, and site decorating contest."
Tips from RVers
Site surface types: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces. At Lake Leelanau RV Park, a visitor noted, "Level Cement sites. Well mowed grass." Concrete pads provide easier leveling than gravel or grass sites.
Pull-through availability: For easier parking, select campgrounds with pull-through sites. According to a Timber Ridge visitor, "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."
Electric options: Multiple amperage options exist across RV sites near Arcadia. Vista Green RV Resort offers premium sites with full hookups. A visitor explained, "We had Full hook-up with a blacktop pull-through. We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep."
Site spacing considerations: Campground density varies significantly. An Indigo Bluffs visitor cautioned, "The 'backroads' sites are very close together. Disappointing for the cost." Research site maps before booking if privacy is important.
