Rv sites near Boyne City, Michigan provide campers convenient access to several northern Michigan lakes including Lake Charlevoix, Burt Lake, and Grand Traverse Bay. The region sits on ancient glacial deposits that created the rolling terrain and numerous inland lakes characteristic of Michigan's northern lower peninsula. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with cooler evenings even during peak season.
What to do
Hiking on marked trails: At Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, visitors can access bike trails on the property. "There are some seasonal sites, a small 'village' of tiny houses, yurts, and a lot of RV/tent sites. The location is good, as it can be a good jumping off point to explore Traverse City and the surrounding area," notes Allison H.
Fishing in local lakes: Bass Lake offers a quiet spot for anglers near Elk Rapids. "It is situated on a small lake that is great for fishing, boating, or kayaking," shares Sarah P. about her experiences at Honcho Rest Campground. The smaller lakes provide alternatives to the more crowded Lake Charlevoix.
Winery tours: Campgrounds on the Leelanau Peninsula provide access to Michigan's wine country. "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 (one is just across the street from the entrance)," writes Nancy W. about her stay at Wild Cherry RV Resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight well-maintained bathrooms. "Bathrooms, showers and laundry available and are clean and nice. Staff is kind, helpful and knowledgeable," notes Hope C. about Kalkaska RV Park & Campground. Cleanliness consistently appears in positive reviews of campgrounds throughout the region.
Family activities: Recreational options for children rank high in visitor satisfaction. "We enjoyed our tent camping 4-day experience at this wonderful, clean, & friendly place," reports Mike C. about Kalkaska RV Park. Another camper at Starlight Campground and RV Park adds, "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."
Hospitable staff: Friendly service makes a difference for many campers. "First off I made a mistake and thought I booked, but never did. So we showed up after closing expecting to find our names on late check in, but nope... He told us everything is closed but to call in the am and he'll move some things around and get us in," shares Melissa B. about her experience at Petoskey RV Resort.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds have limited availability for non-seasonal campers. "Traveling along the western border Michigan on our motorcycle over the 4th of July, we were in in the Traverse City area and finding a hard time finding an open campsite," reports Uncle D. about his experience before finding Antrim Meadows Campground.
Site leveling needs: Be prepared with leveling blocks at many campgrounds. "We camped in a 40' motor coach for a week. Site is gravel and dirt. It is a pull through site that required us to do quite a bit of leveling," notes Hope C. about Kalkaska RV Park & Campground. Similar comments appear across multiple reviews.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the area operate between May and October. According to one review, Starlight Campground runs from "May 20th and close September 5th in 2019," while others like Indian River RV Resort operate "April to October" but may have limited amenities during shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for children. "Great campground for a family! Swing set, walking trail, ORV trail, pool, volleyball, pickle ball court and other games!" reports Jaime about Starlight Campground. These facilities can make a significant difference during longer stays.
Swimming opportunities: Pool availability varies between campgrounds. "Nice beautiful campground situated in a nice woods setting. Sprayed for bugs so the bugs were not much of a nuisance," writes Tammey B. about Kalkaska RV Park & Campground, adding that the "pool is heated."
Theme weekends: Special events can enhance family camping trips. "We camped here and it was ana amazing experience! The park was clean and the staff were very nice. 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," shares Victoria S. about her family's stay at Starlight Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup positioning: Some sites require extra equipment or maneuvering. "The hookups are rather far away so we needed extensions. Our site required us to pull through in such a way that the hookups were on the opposite side of our coach," notes Hope C. about her experience at Indian River RV Resort.
Big rig accommodations: Larger motorhomes require specific sites. "If you have a big Class A RV and need a full hook up and a pool, this place will work," writes Kim L. about Petoskey RV Resort, though adding that "our site had a nice paved pad, but it wasn't level and the concrete was painted so we were slipping off the levelers."
Site surfaces: Surface conditions affect setup and comfort. "Our site was a full hookup with a blacktop pull-through," reports Julia H. about her stay at Vista Green RV Resort, adding that "the site was easy to level." Knowing the site surface helps RVers prepare appropriate equipment.