RV parks near Buckley, Michigan sit between the Manistee National Forest and Grand Traverse Bay, offering access to both woodland recreation and water activities. The region experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 80°F and cold winters that often see heavy snowfall. Seasonal availability varies dramatically, with most campgrounds operating May through October when northern Michigan camping conditions are optimal.
What to do
Outdoor recreation access: At Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, campers enjoy diverse activities just steps from their sites. "There are trails if you want to get away from all the action, however the main campground area is usually quite busy," notes one visitor. The resort features a swimming pool, jumping pillow, and activity center, making it popular for families wanting both natural settings and structured recreation.
Trail riding: Manton Trails RV Park offers direct ORV trail access from the campground. "Great campground. Booked two nights and had to request a third it was so perfect. We went up because it advertised orv access right from campsite. It's really handy to not have to trailer over to the trailheads," reports a recent guest. The park's location provides quick access to miles of northern Michigan trail systems.
Water activities: Parks near Bass Lake and Lake Billings provide fishing and swimming opportunities. "They have a really nice area whether it's fishing or swimming, playground or just plain camping," writes one Lake Billings camper. Pats RV Park offers access to Hodenpyle Dam Lake, which a visitor described as "a great, quiet area. It close enough to several places which makes it convenient to get in some sight seeing in Traverse City, Frankfort and Manistee."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Kampvilla Park receives consistently positive reviews for maintenance. "Great park and very friendly employees! The sites are nice and big, they constantly ride around emptying the trash," notes one camper. Another adds, "Very clean bathrooms n showers. So much to do right here at the campground."
Family-friendly atmospheres: Manton Trails RV Park offers activities for all ages, with one visitor noting, "Over the weekend they a concert! Live band and food truck....free to all campers and their friends!" Timber Ridge similarly features regular activities with one camper stating, "Kids loved the activities they had scheduled. We had no complaints regarding our weekend here!"
Privacy options: Several parks offer spacious sites away from crowds. "Our site was not shaded with limited trees. This was a smaller lot with our neighbors fairly close," commented a Vista Green visitor, while another park user mentioned, "We had a family, socially distant reunion with 6 sites. We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice!"
What you should know
Site amenities vary significantly: Hookup options differ between parks. At Vista Green RV Resort, "We had Full hook-up with a blacktop pull-through. We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep. The site was easy to level." The resort includes a concrete patio with picnic table, but doesn't have fire rings since only propane fires are allowed.
Bathroom facilities: Most parks maintain clean restrooms, but availability and style vary. "The showers are located in the activity center. These are typical stalls. There is a great area to hang clothes and store your toiletries in the shower stall. These are kept very clean," notes a Vista Green visitor. Other parks may have limited facilities, with one Lake Billings camper pointing out that "the only negative thing is the tent camping spots DO NOT have PLUGS."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited operational months. "We have a 5th wheel and have appreciated the amenities very much. Great wifi, curbside garbage pickup, trails, dog park, and many others," writes a visitor to Traverse Bay RV Resort, which only operates from May through October. Winter camping options remain limited throughout the Buckley area.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options for children: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort offers numerous child-friendly amenities. "This is a very large campground that is usually full during the summer. There is no shortage of activities here: a small pond/beach, pool, jumping pillow, dodgeball, bike trails, ATV trails, crafts, parades, etc. It's great for the active family, particularly those with elementary & middle school age kids," reports one visitor.
Pool access: Multiple RV parks near Buckley feature swimming pools for family enjoyment. "They have a very nice swimming/play area for small children," notes a Lake Billings camper. Another visitor mentioned that "the kids loved the pool" at Kampvilla Park, which also offers planned activities like candy bar bingo.
Indoor options for rainy days: Kampvilla Park provides covered spaces for inclement weather. "The indoor pavilion area is great for rainy days. There are board games and puzzles to do. Plus ping pong and foosball!" writes one visitor, making it ideal for families needing alternatives when outdoor activities aren't possible.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Indigo Bluffs RV Park near Empire offers varying site quality. "The spaces are tight unless you get into the back rows set back sites. This is a terrific way to solve the tight spacing," advises one RVer. Another notes, "We stayed on both sites 44 and 4 and both were very nice stamped concrete pads with full hookups. Gorgeous landscaping."
Extension needs: Some hookup locations require additional equipment. At Vista Green, "There is free WiFi. They do not offer Cable TV but there are many local channels," and the resort includes "an adult pub-style game room with poker tables, a large tv, a table shuffle board, air hockey game, foosball table, and board games."
Transportation within parks: Larger resorts may require on-site transportation. "You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They also allow you to rent golf carts. It is beneficial to have a golf cart to get around since it is a large campground. We have our own e-bikes which helped," explains a Vista Green visitor.
