Many RV campgrounds near Bellaire, Michigan operate within the Chain of Lakes watershed, with elevations ranging from 600-900 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasons with humid summers averaging 80°F and cold winters dropping to single digits. Most privately owned RV parks in this area require advance reservations 6-12 months ahead for peak summer weekends.
What to do
Lake activities: Bass Lake in Elk Rapids offers calm waters for casual paddlers. "Bass Lake which is great for a quick paddle around, fishing, etc., but if you are seeking larger bodies of water, the Elk Rapids Marina on Grand Traverse Bay and Elk Lake are just a couple miles away," notes one visitor to Honcho Rest Campground.
Golf courses: Multiple options within short drives of campgrounds. "The campground is across the street from a large golf course and just down the road from historic downtown Elk Rapids which has many good eats, shops, etc.," according to a Honcho Rest Campground review.
Hiking trails: Multiple difficulty levels available throughout the region. At Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, "There are trails if you want to get away from all the action, however the main campground area is usually quite busy."
Wine tasting: Leelanau Peninsula features numerous vineyards within 20-30 minute drives. A visitor to Wild Cherry RV Resort mentions, "The park is in a perfect location to explore the towns of Leland (and Fishtown), Lake Leelanau, Northport, and Sutton's Bay... 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."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many parks maintain exceptionally high standards. "Bathrooms, showers and laundry available and are clean and nice. Staff is kind, helpful and knowledgeable," notes a visitor to Kalkaska RV Park & Campground.
Bug control: Some parks actively manage insects. At Indigo Bluffs RV Park, "They spray for bugs so there's not too many creepy crawlies or biting bugs in the campground. Plus there's no poison ivy!"
Recreational amenities: Many parks offer extensive on-site activities. Starlight Campground provides "swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games! This campground is extremely clean and has beautiful bathrooms/showers."
Community atmosphere: Many parks foster social connections. A Starlight Campground visitor explains, "They have an app you can download and do everything from ordering firewood and ice to seeing what's going on during their theme weekends. They kept my kids busy while still allowing for relaxing time."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV parks close during winter months. Wild Cherry RV Resort operates "May 1 to October 31," while others like Traverse Bay RV Resort specify "May 1 - Oct 31."
Site limitations: Some parks have restrictions based on RV type. Traverse Bay RV Resort is "limited to Class A, Fifth Wheels and Class C only. This park is dominated by big, very nice class A's."
Pet regulations: Policies vary by park. At Traverse Bay RV Resort, "You are limited to 2 dogs, and they are very strict about leashes and picking up poop. But, that keeps the place looking nice."
Cell service: Coverage varies throughout the region. Starlight Campground visitors report "Cellphone service with Verizon was great and WiFi was available at the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Not all parks have equal child amenities. Indigo Bluffs RV Park had "plenty of kids for my son to play with. Playground was very disappointing!"
Swimming options: Pools vary in quality and availability. Indigo Bluffs offers "a nice atmosphere plenty of trees and a nice pool. Plenty of kids for my son to play with."
Themed weekends: Some parks plan special activities. Starlight Campground provides "theme weekends" through their app, helping to keep children engaged throughout their stay.
Cabin alternatives: For families without camping gear. Honcho Rest Campground offers "2 different styles of cabins available for rent... The cabins don't have a bathroom but are located directly across from the bathrooms and the path is well lit at night so you don't have to worry about not being able to see your way there."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose locations based on specific needs. At Kalkaska RV Park, "Our site was a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling. The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions."
Hookup logistics: Plan for potential challenges. Kalkaska RV Park offers a solution for longer stays: "They have a pump out service twice a week for $10 each time."
Extension cords: Pack extras for challenging sites. "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions," notes a Kalkaska RV visitor.
Concrete pads: Some parks offer premium surfaces. Wild Cherry RV Resort provides sites that "had an improved gravel parking area for camper with a finished concrete pad with a picnic table."