Young State Park offers traditional tent sites, full hookup RV areas, and seasonal yurt accommodations within its 560-acre property on Lake Charlevoix. Located just minutes from downtown Boyne City, the park contains three distinct camping loops—Terrace, Spruce, and Oak—each with different terrain and proximity to amenities. The campground maintains 20/30/50 amp electrical service at most sites, with water access points scattered throughout the loops rather than individual hookups.
What to do
Hike the trail network: Young State Park features extensive hiking trails that wind through wooded areas suitable for year-round recreation. According to Nancy W., "We visited Young State Park in the summer but in talking to locals this place is wonderful in the winter and great for cross-country skiing with trails that wind through wooded areas."
Bike the regional trails: The Petoskey KOA serves as an excellent base for cycling enthusiasts accessing the area's extensive trail systems. Arch M. notes, "We wanted to follow figure out the best scenic bike route to get into Petoskey and beyond toward Charlevoix to go along the shorelines as much as possible. Customer service is amazing and they printed of a map for us as well."
Fish from dedicated piers: Multiple fishing access points are available throughout the region's lakes and streams. The fishing pier at Young State Park "was really popular with the kids," according to Nancy W., while Haakwood State Forest Campground offers riverside sites perfect for anglers seeking more solitude.
Attend local events: During summer months, Boyne City hosts regular community gatherings within walking distance of many campgrounds. Nancy W. mentions that Boyne City "has a great weekly farmers market, delicious food and beer at 7 Monks Tap Room, and a weekly Friday 'Stroll the Streets' with live music."
What campers like
Beach amenities: Young State Park Campground features an expansive waterfront with equipment rentals available. Nancy W. appreciates that "the park has a large beach area with a camp store/concession stand that has food and items for rent. It is really convenient that you can rent beach chairs/umbrellas/watercraft instead of having to bring them."
Lake views: Burt Lake State Park Campground provides exceptional waterfront access with spacious sites overlooking the water. Kerry P. shares that "Lot sizes are huge! Nearly every lot down the hill (west loop) has a nice view of the lake."
Site variety: Tent and yurt campers visiting Boyne City often appreciate the unique layouts at Young State Park. Sam C. notes, "There's a more rustic secluded section for camping where the sites aren't as close and there's actually trees."
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain high standards despite heavy summer usage. Jodi L. from Young State Park reports, "Very friendly staff and clean park. Family friendly and pet friendly, beach was close by and clean."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the Boyne City region operate from May through mid-October with limited off-season availability. Therese S. visited Young State Park during the transition period: "We came at the very end of the season (October 4-5) and from what I could tell, the campsite was shutting down, so I'm unsure of the availability going forward until next season."
Site selection strategy: When booking at Haakwood State Forest Campground, consider the tradeoff between waterfront proximity and road noise. David C. explains, "This campground is right on the north central bike path and I came to this here for that easy access. However, it is right next to the road and there is a lot of road noise during the day and early evening."
Reservation systems: Michigan state parks require advance booking through the DNR portal, while private campgrounds maintain separate systems. Nancy W. advises, "Reservations can be made on-line via the Michigan DNR site. The advantage of making reservations online is that you get a really good description of the site which includes length, width, hook-ups, amount of shade, length of site, distance to restrooms, and best of all - pictures."
Pricing structure: Costs vary widely based on hookups, location, and amenities. Nancy W. reports that at Young State Park "The price ranges from $20 to $33 per night depending on the season and electric hook-ups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Thurston Park Campground offers convenient recreational spaces adjacent to campsites. Ann D. notes, "The playground for kids is actually next to the campground. There is a boat launch conveniently located next to the campground."
Activity planning: Many campgrounds coordinate regular family events during peak season. At Gaylord KOA, Kim L. shares, "They had kids activities over the 4th of July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access."
Wildlife viewing: Special opportunities exist for nature observation outings. Ryan L T. recommends Haakwood State Forest Campground: "You're right by Michigan's only area to view free roaming wild elk! We went and tried, but unfortunately didn't see any elk."
Water safety considerations: Shallow entry points make swimming safer for younger children. According to Myron M. at Burt Lake State Park, "If you like the beach, you'll easily get out in the water over 100 yards and still be safe (roughly 3 feet or so)."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Magnus Park Campground accommodates larger rigs despite its compact footprint. Carol W. confirms, "Sites large enough for our 42 ft motor home! Level, quiet, close to shopping and a nice walk/bike trail along the bay."
Hookup availability: Most state parks offer electric-only sites with central water access points. Brenda M. from Burt Lake State Park advises, "There is no water or sewer hook up. The lot lines are strange, they run on an angle. Bring extension cords for the electric service."
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. Kim L. from Gaylord KOA notes, "Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site."
Camp store access: Several campgrounds provide on-site supplies and firewood. At Young State Park, Nancy W. appreciates that "Each site has a picnic table and fire pit (firewood is for sale in the campground on the honor system with the nice thing being that you have access any time of day to purchase it)."
