Several RV parks near Beaver Island, Michigan offer seasonal accommodations from May through October. Located in the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan region, these campgrounds provide access to Lake Michigan shorelines with variable terrain and seasonal weather patterns. Cell coverage in the area varies by provider with Verizon typically providing more reliable service across the region.
What to do
Beach activities at Wilderness State Park: Located near Carp Lake, this park features extensive Lake Michigan shoreline access. "Best star gazing in the LP," notes camper Ted B., highlighting the park's designation as a dark sky viewing area. Another visitor adds, "During a nice bike ride, I saw the boat launch and picnic area."
Lighthouse exploration: Leelanau State Park Campground offers access to its historic lighthouse with guided tours. "We walked over to the lighthouse. They give tours and have a camp store/gift shop," shares a reviewer. The park combines camping with historical exploration opportunities.
Mackinac Island day trips: Camps near St. Ignace provide convenient ferry access. "It's within biking distance to the Shepler's Ferry dock which is super nice if you're planning to take bikes along," notes Doug A. from Tiki RV Park & Campground. This location serves as a practical base for island exploration.
What campers like
Budget-friendly overnight options: Casino RV parks offer economical alternatives. "It's $15/night and we were able to use the pool and weight room at the casino," reports one Kewadin RV Park visitor. These parking lot-style accommodations provide basic hookups at lower rates than resort-style parks.
Lake views from sites: Waterfront camping spots provide direct shore access. "Located up on a hill and there are some spots that overlook the lake and Mackinaw Island," notes Charles M. about Lakeshore Park Campground. Another camper mentions, "Sites near water are great. Far enough away but close to town if needed."
Clean facilities: Indian River RV Resort receives consistent praise for maintenance. "The grounds and facilities are very well kept up," reports a recent visitor. Another camper notes, "Very nice park, clean, and we'll maintained. Owners lead you to your site and assist getting your rig lined up with water/sewer connections."
What you should know
Site selection impacts experience: RV parks vary widely in site quality and amenities. "Some sites are a little tight but manageable," reports one camper about Indian Lake RV Resort. Choose carefully based on rig size and needs.
Reservation timing matters: For Petoskey KOA, summer weekends fill quickly. "Be sure when you book that you put down the correct size of your rig as they have site management down to a science," advises Chris R. Most parks in the region require bookings 3-6 months in advance for prime summer dates.
Road conditions: Access to some parks includes unpaved sections. "Bad roads leading in," cautions one Wilderness State Park reviewer. Call ahead during spring months to check road status after winter or heavy rainfall periods.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Larger resort-style RV parks typically offer more structured activities. "Very kid-friendly, including a large playground, a large heated swimming pool, plus volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, basketball and pickleball courts," notes a visitor to Indian River RV Resort.
Halloween events: Several campgrounds host seasonal festivities. "We were here for the halloween weekend. They did a great job with the trick or treating by shutting down all vehicle traffic and by having a site decorating contest," shares Craig F. about Petoskey KOA.
Wildlife awareness: Leelanau State Park campers should prepare for local wildlife. "Raccoons are insane! They are not afraid of anything," warns Melissa M. Store food securely and use proper disposal methods at all area campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Hookup verification: Confirm services before arrival. "Some sites are 50 amp and some are only 30 amp," notes one Tiki RV Park camper. Call ahead to verify your specific site matches your reservation specifications.
Leveling challenges: Some RV parks near Beaver Island have uneven terrain. "The concrete was painted so we were slipping off the levelers," reports Kim L. about Petoskey RV Resort. Bring extra leveling blocks and wheel chocks for stability.
Internet connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly between parks. "We never got connected to the WiFi in the site we were in," reports David H. about one campground. Most RVers recommend having a cellular data backup plan for the region.
