Located in northern Lake Michigan, Beaver Island sits roughly 32 miles from the mainland and offers unique glamping opportunities throughout its 55 square miles of varied terrain. The island's location creates distinct weather patterns with cooler summers and milder winters than the mainland. Camping access requires boat or plane transportation, with most visitors arriving via ferry service from Charlevoix.
What to do
Stargazing at Lake Michigan sites: Sites along Lake Michigan at St. James Township Campground provide excellent night sky viewing. "Falling asleep to light sound of waves" creates perfect conditions for astronomy enthusiasts, according to Kenneth K., who appreciated the peaceful conditions.
Kayaking from beach access points: Launch kayaks directly from campsites at Lake Michigan At St. Ignace, which offers multiple shore-side spots with water access. "Beautiful dunes and beach" characterize the area, with one reviewer noting how "some of the beach-side sites looked really great, with private beach access."
Local trail exploration: Mackinaw area campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems. "From the campground, there is a nature trail that you can take your bike that leads you to the North Western State Trail," explains Julia H., highlighting connectivity options from area campsites.
What campers like
Level sites with privacy: Campers consistently mention site spacing at Little Brevort Lake North State Forest Campground. "Sites are close to one another and has vaulted toilets. This is a beautiful campground with access to the water via boat launch but not easy access from a few sites," reports Kendra H.
Beach access for swimming: Sandy beaches along Lake Michigan provide safe swimming areas. Robert S. describes "Beautiful campground on Lake Michigan. Most of our time was spent on the sand beach. Beautiful sunsets and great swimming."
Dark sky viewing opportunities: The Upper Peninsula region offers excellent stargazing conditions. "Little Brevort lake is a great spot for stargazing with good visibility and shooting stars," according to Sarah S., who appreciated the night sky visibility away from light pollution.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Many campgrounds have inconsistent spacing between sites. "Sites can be close together but not clustered," notes one camper at Little Brevort Lake, while at Magnus Park Campground, reviews indicate "spaces were extremely close together" with many seasonal campers.
Road noise affects some waterfront sites: Highway proximity impacts some lakefront camping experiences. "The traffic noise was not too bad," mentions Kimberly M., though others note that "traffic from highway 2 was louder than the waves at the beach" at some Lake Michigan sites.
Weather impacts accessibility: Seasonal considerations affect campground operations. "This site was large and level. It would be great for a small camper but was a nightmare for a tent with stakes," reports Kay K., highlighting terrain challenges during certain seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Beach swimming safety: Lake Michigan beaches offer family-friendly swimming areas. At Tee Pee Campground, "Great beach with a view of the Mackinaw bridge!" provides safe swimming with landmark views, according to Laikyn C.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated children's play areas. "They had a small playground for the kids. There was also a nice heated pool for them to swim in," notes Glynnis A., describing family amenities available at nearby facilities.
Wildlife education opportunities: Woodland campsites provide nature learning experiences. "Most sites are wooded and provide great shade and wind protection," reports one camper, though they caution that sites "can be quite buggy" during certain seasons.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups or dump facilities. At Young State Park Campground, "camp area had potable water and black water dump," according to Therese S., making it suitable for longer RV stays.
Site leveling requirements: Terrain challenges exist at many northern Michigan sites. "Sites are level and shaded with all the amenities for both adults and kids," reports Doug and Terri C., though others note some sites require leveling blocks.
Hookup variations: Electric service types vary between campgrounds. "Our site was $99.89 night. We had Full hook-up with a gravel pull-through," details Julia H., noting that premium sites often include additional amenities like concrete patios, tables and chairs.
