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Best Campgrounds near Benzonia, MI

931 Reviews

Benzonia, Michigan serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences along the shores of Lake Michigan and throughout the surrounding forests. Campgrounds like Platte River Campground in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Betsie River Campsite provide options for tent camping, RV hookups, and even cabin rentals. The area features both established campgrounds with modern amenities and more rustic options within a short drive of town. Several sites offer easy access to water recreation on Lake Michigan, inland lakes, and rivers, making this region particularly popular during summer months.

Camping in the Benzonia area typically operates seasonally, with most campgrounds open from April through October. Winter conditions and snowfall limit accessibility during colder months. "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," noted one camper about Platte River Campground. Road access varies across the region, with some campgrounds accommodating large RVs while others have more limited access. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer season, particularly for waterfront sites and holiday weekends. Cell service can be spotty in more remote areas, especially within the national lakeshore boundaries.

The proximity to Lake Michigan stands out as a defining feature of camping in this region. Campers frequently mention the value of sites with beach access or views of the water. Several campgrounds provide direct paths to Lake Michigan beaches, though some visitors note that erosion has affected beach access in certain areas. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offers particularly scenic camping with opportunities to explore dunes, forests, and shoreline. A review highlighted that "the campground is located right along the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail making it a great starting point for bike trips through the National Lakeshore." Poison ivy is mentioned in multiple reviews as something to watch for, particularly at D.H. Day Campground, where campers are advised to stay on established paths.

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Best Camping Sites Near Benzonia, Michigan (187)

    1. Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    61 Reviews
    Beulah, MI
    7 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
    5 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. D.H. Day Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

    52 Reviews
    Glen Arbor, MI
    20 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."

    4. Green Lake Rustic South — Interlochen State Park

    34 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    17 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."

    5. Indigo Bluffs RV Park

    23 Reviews
    Empire, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 326-5050

    "It has a fire pit, nearby bathrooms, WiFi, and was in short driving distance to the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City."

    "This is one of my favorite campgrounds and it’s located in our favorite vacation destination!"

    6. Turtle Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 275-7353

    "Close to traverse city and sleeping bear dunes!"

    "The lake is great for kayaking or small fishing boats. Office staff super nice. Small, but nice beach. We took my mom & nieces two years ago."

    7. Kampvilla Park, LLC

    7 Reviews
    Arcadia, MI
    9 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."

    8. Platte River State Forest

    5 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 276-9511

    $20 / night

    9. Mountain Valley Lodge & Campground

    4 Reviews
    Thompsonville, MI
    6 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."

    10. Rvino - Timberline, LLC

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

    $32 - $92 / night

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

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Recent Camping Photos near Benzonia, MI

406 Photos of 187 Benzonia Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Benzonia, MI

931 Reviews of 187 Benzonia Campgrounds

  • Maddy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Sand Lakes Quiet Area Backcountry Campsites

    Quiet is right!

    Absolutely serene and secluded in the gorgeous northern Michigan wilderness.

    This is a park and walk camping spot. Also permits are apparently required as this is a state park. They were out of camping registration cards. I think this park is being impacted by the recent cuts to forest service. Anyway, I went ahead and stayed. I was the only one here. The nature - forest, lake, and wildlife had me in tears.

    From the trail head/parking it’s about 1/2 mile or less to bathrooms and lake camping. There was spotty service for T-mobile but I managed to get some texts + calls through.

    I’d love to come again.

  • K
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Indigo Bluffs RV Park

    Indigo Bluffs RV Park

    Awesome facility. Shaded sites that are good size. We have a 23' travel trailer and has plenty of room. Full hook ups including sewer make it very convenient.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Green Road Dispersed - Manistee NF

    Manistee National Forest dispersed campsite

    This is such a beautiful site, we stayed here a few days two years ago. Green road off of West Forest trail road south of Manistee Michigan. A wilderness area boundaries the campsite to the west, a short hike to the Nordhouse sand dunes. Many sites were available to us, we chose to utilize our favorite site.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Old US-131 State Forest Campground

    Great spot!

    Nice campground. The NCT and Fife lake loop trailhead is right in the campground. There is also Manistee river access for kayaking and fishing. Good sized campsites but some are directly across from each other. A little bit of noise off in the distance sometimes but not sure where it was coming from other than that it was quiet and peaceful

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Lime Lake

    Great Campsite

    The campsite was very large with lots of spots to camp. Trails and a sizeable lake made it even better. Great location and only about 15 minutes from Sleeping Bear dunes.

  • Deb M.
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Betsie River Campsite

    Nice location

    This is a nice little private campground. The people are friendly and it appears to be well kept. The sites are pretty close together, and with many people having a boat, and/or extra canopies, etc., on their sites, it seemed so. Very. Crowded. The location is great - right on a bike path and close to the super cute town of Frankfort and easy access to Sleeping Bear Dunes.

  • Nicole S.
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Farmview Resort

    Awesome stay

    Beautiful views, large field for dogs, clean area. Electric & water hookup. $30 a night. Spent three nights here. Highly reccomend

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Little River Casino

    Very Nice Place

    This is a very nice campground, it's on Casino Property and they did an excellent job. All sites have Electric Water Sewer, and I believe cable. They also have a dump station. There are no site firepits, but they do have a place for fires. All sites have concrete pads and wide asphalt roads. Showers are in the clubhouse. The staff is friendly and also staff and grounds keepers are very helpful. The area close by within 3-4 miles has just about everything You may need. The only downfall is if there is one for everything You get is price. But again it's a very nice e place.

  • D
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Sand Lake Campground — Manistee National Forest

    Enjoyable Stay

    The campground is rustic with sites 1 - 30 being well spaced with vegetation between most sites and quite spacious.   Sites above 30 are on another loop and are much closer together with less privacy between sites.  There are paved pads for each site although some are sloped.  Also, the orientation of the paving for a lot of site is not correct for a travel trailer, i.e. the door to the trailer is not facing the fire pit and picnic table.  See photo.  

    Site 30 is close to the restroom and showers (although we didn't use them).  Also, the trash gondolas.

    There is little internet access with Verizon service.

    You could buy wood and ice from the campground host.  

    Our neighbor in site 29 had put his generator under the trailer and locked it with a steel cable.   It was visible from the road.   At some point during the day someone cut the cable and stole the generator.

Guide to Benzonia

Camping near Benzonia, Michigan, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something to offer.

What to do:

  • Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes: This national lakeshore is a must-see. You can hike the trails or enjoy the stunning views of Lake Michigan. One camper mentioned, "The campground was full, but you could definitely see and hear your neighbors. Great access to walking trails and the beach" at D.H. Day Group Campground.
  • Fishing and Boating: The local lakes are perfect for fishing and boating. A review from Northern Exposure Campground & RV Park highlights, "The bathrooms and showers were extremely clean and were cleaned daily. Lots to do outside of the campground in that general area as well, hiking trails and fishing opportunities everywhere."
  • Visit Local Wineries: The area is known for its wineries. One visitor at Leelanau Pines said, "The water was practically a sand bar along the shoreline. Bonus that it's close to local wineries and restaurants."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Platte River Campground states, "Immaculate modern campground. Clean and spacious facilities, helpful staff."
  • Friendly Staff: Many campers mention the helpfulness of the staff. One camper at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort noted, "The owners treat this as a true resort and the cleanliness, and friendliness clearly shows."
  • Scenic Views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. A review from Orchard Beach State Park Campground mentions, "Great sunsets and a nice breeze off Lake Michigan."

What you should know:

  • Site Privacy: Some campgrounds have close sites, which can affect privacy. A visitor at D.H. Day Group Campground mentioned, "Most sites do not have lateral privacy."
  • Limited Beach Access: Some campgrounds, like Orchard Beach State Park, no longer have direct beach access due to erosion. Campers need to drive to nearby beaches.
  • Noise Levels: Campgrounds near busy roads or airports can be noisy. A camper at Traverse City State Park Campground said, "The park is right next to a busy road and near an airport, so it was a little noisy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. One parent at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort shared, "My son is having a blast making friends and playing at the pool."
  • Plan Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A camper at Indigo Bluffs RV Park mentioned, "The campground was large... it felt like endless things to do."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can make outings easier. A review from Betsie River Campsite noted, "Anything you could want you would find in their store."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites can be small, so check dimensions before booking. A camper at Traverse City State Park Campground said, "The spots are very small and you have to park sideways."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, make sure to confirm availability. A review from Indigo Bluffs RV Park mentioned, "This campground is absolutely beautiful! Tons of trees, large sites, well maintained."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds are near roads or airports, so be ready for some noise. A visitor at Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park warned, "Absolutely loved this campground... but it’s close to the airport and 4 lane road."

Camping near Benzonia, Michigan, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Benzonia, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, Benzonia, MI offers a wide range of camping options, with 187 campgrounds and RV parks near Benzonia, MI and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Benzonia, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Benzonia, MI is Platte River Campground — Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with a 4.8-star rating from 61 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Benzonia, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Benzonia, MI.

What parks are near Benzonia, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Benzonia, MI that allow camping, notably Sleeping Bear Dunes and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

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